I am thinking on building a tank to put various greasy parts in to clean. So that I do not have to pay someone else to clean them for me. Can you guys show me what you are using to clean your greasy parts. If you have a tank that you build that is doing the job for you. I was thinking a tank that would have various pipes with holes at every few inches and having a fitting that you could install an air line to it with an adjustable valve to give more pressure to clean the parts that would have more grease or adjusting it down for the parts that are not as bad is there such a cleaning tank that is design to do the job. I remember back in the 70's we had a tank similar to this to clean parts. Thanks Frenchy
After my last divorce and the subsequent liquidation of my business assets (including a hot tank, jet washer, etc...) I needed a cheap way to clean parts. (yea she kicked my ass in court!) So I came up with this stainless steel tank with 30 gallons of "Purple Power" straight to clean engine blocks and the like. The tank was a "Hydro Therapy" unit so it has a 110v heating element, but I only use it in the winter. As you can see by the pix the "Purple Power" works fine when kept about 80 or 90 degrees... Usually 24 hours is plenty. I pressure wash after with cold water and keep it covered to prevent evaporation. Xlnt with alloys too...
Yes, I owned one of those tanks between 1989 & 2001, and it came with a "rinse booth" also. Used it daily in a 2 man machine shop. Was made by the "GUNK" company. The aerator was a worthless deal, never really helped. Heat & the right chemicals are MUCH better options.
Pick your tank of choice and a way to heat it. The hotter the better. For ferrous metals only (steel, cast iron) use crystalized Draino, otherwise known as sodium hydroxide, lye, and or caustic soda. This is the same stuff that machine shops use in their hot tanks for ferrous parts. Mix 1 can of crystalized Draino per 10-20 gallons of water. Do not put aluminum parts in this solution as it will eat the aluminum and also ruin the solution. This also goes for cam bearings and any other non-ferrous metals. If you have a gas tank that has years of old gas and varnish in it, fill it with hot water and add a can of crystalized Draino and let it soak overnight. You will be surprised as to how clean it will be when you rinse it out. If you want to clean aluminum in the same tank you will have to change out the solution for a detergent like Purple Power or the likes. You can also purchase specialized detergents from Hotsy or Landa just for non-ferrous metals, but they will be spendy.
Sodium hydroxide is VERY DANGEROUS and HIGHLY TOXIC to our environment PLEASE be carefull!! I have been "doing this" professionally for near 40 years now and though that was "the way" IT IS NOT FOR NOVICES... in my opinion. How can you argue with the results clearly shown in my pix?"Purple Power" WILL do all, nearly as good... Want more cleaning power?? Heat it to about 120/130 degrees....
I got an old solvent tank for free at a swap meet, it worked too! I fill it with the degreaser from Harbor Frieght and I put a hot plate under the tank against the bottom with a peice of 1/4 alum plate between the two to help transfer the heat. Works great for degreasing and cleaning small parts in a basket and it circulates too!
Totally agree, the stuff is a major pain in the ass for shops an the home hobby guy. Kind of a detailed process to dispose of responsibly and legally.
Dont want an argument but here are some facts. The major ingredient in Purple Power is sodium hydroxide, also known as NaOh, Lye or caustic soda which is why it cleans so well. Most all hosehold detergents including bath soap have sodium hydroxide in them. The key ingredient in soap making is sodium hydroxide (lye). Sodium hydroxide (lye) is used in the commercial preperation for cleansing fruits and vegetables that we consume on a daily basis, not to mention other foods. If you are contemplating needing several gallons of solution for a hot tank then you would be money ahead to mix up your own solution of caustic soda using crystalized Draino as I posted above. NOW...I would hope that anyone planning on building a hot tank would have the common sense to keep it covered and away from children and pets, and use gloves and eye protection.
I use a 55 gallon drum cut in half with an electric frying pan under it to heat it i set the heat control and use either dish soapr an industrial cleaner depneding on the material. I use an old crock pot for small parts or carburators.
Really? Show me please - http://www.clean-rite.com/msds/Purple Power 2010.pdf http://landjsupply.com/msds/1032 Purple power.pdf http://www.paynesmarine.com/documents/CaptPhabPurplePowerCleaner.pdf
If you want "Red Devil Lye" go to - http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/cat...=None&Ntpr=1&Ntpc=1&selectedCatgry=Search+All and here is the MSDS sheet -- http://www.monsterjanitorial.com/msds/cleaningmsdssheets/docs/48/4803/4803154.pdf
Right, but use your own dishwasher. A production engine rebuilder I am familiar with incorporated one in his facility for small parts. No diferent than a Jet Spray washing cabinet only smaller.
FROM PURPLE POWER PRODUCT LABEL: Purple Power Concentrated Industrial Strength Cleaner/Degreaser is non-abrasive, non-flammable and biodegradable and phospate-free. DIRECTIONS: 1) Test an out of sight area to determine surface acceptance and colorfastness to avoid damaging surfaces, especially on aluminum, painted surfaces and fabrics. 2) Wear rubber gloves, protect eyes and skin from direct contact. Use with adequate ventilation. 3) Cover surface with Purple Power allowing time to dissolve dirt and grease. DO NOT allow drying on surface being cleaned. 4) DO NOT use on exterior car surfaces, glass, painted surfaces, or wheel rims. INGREDIENTS: Water, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Metasilicate, 2-butoxyethanol, and surfacants MANUFACTURER: Aiken Chemical Co., Inc., Greenville, SC <TABLE><TBODY><TR><TD height=10></TD></TR><TR><TD><TABLE><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top><TABLE><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top> MSDS </PRE></TD><TD vAlign=top>: </TD><TD> PURPLE POWER CLEANER/DEGREASER</PRE></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top> CAS </PRE></TD><TD vAlign=top>: </TD><TD> 1310-73-2 111-76-2</PRE></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top> NAME </PRE></TD><TD vAlign=top>: </TD><TD> sodium hydroxide (cercla) ethanol, 2-butoxy-; (polysolve eb) surfactant alkaline; (other alkaline ients) </PRE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></P>
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