Parts Washer Fluid

[Hand_108]

Hello everyone.

Did some looking through the "search engine" on here for what is being used in your parts washer tank. Not the best of luck. Couple posts. I am sure this is an OLD debate on what to use.

What are you using and why?

I have priced different things. Some seem way to expensive for me. $100-150 for fluids in a $100 tank does not sound good to me.

I have already used "Purple Power" but it foams up to bad, I used it strait. Also did not care for how it cut the grease. Did not seem to do well.

Though about Mineral Spirits. Last time I knew it was about $35-40 for a 5 gallon bucket. Need about 12 gallons for my tank.

Thought about diesel as price per gallon is down. For 12-13 gallons would be about $35. Add a bottle of diesel sta-bil and hopefully keep it "freasher".

Parts washer fluid from parts stores around me and Menards goes for about $50 a five gallon.

I want something also that does not freeze. Diesel does not freeze until about -15 and if its that cold i am not going to be using it. If I though I was going to, I would get a bottle of anti-gel from work and dump in it.

Hope to hear from you guys. Like I said, what and why.

Thanks

John

[ol'George]

I use kerosene and when it is nasty, I use it to start a fire in the wood stove in the farm shop.
Diesel is a little too thick and lingering for my personal liking.

[R Bedell]

I use Mineral Spirits. It cleans OK............but the smell, especially if it sits a while......can set you back.

[olds45512]

i use diesel fuel and it cleans great, its also cheap compared to other cleaners.

[J-Mech]

Mineral Spirits
Laquer thinner
Parts solvent

They are all available in 5 gal cans at any parts store. I prefer a mix of mineral spirits and laquer thinner. I don't like oily fluids like kerosene or diesel. Some parts solvents are too oily. After cleaning parts, I spray them with brake cleaner and blow them dry. Spray them off over the parts washer and let that stuff mix in with all of it.

[sawdustdad]

I'm using low odor mineral spirits. probably don't need to say it, but be sure to wear good pair of neoprene or other chemical proof gloves...

[Maxwelhse]

I know this is an old thread, but I'm throwing this out there anyhow...

I used to work with a guy that burned down his shop, and spent 6 weeks in the burn ward, when his parts bath exploded...

So... I use the water based stuff. I've used this specific product:

http://www.tptools.com/TP-Tools-Indu...b=s*parts+bath

As well as some locally sourced stuff that was less expensive (I would imagine most industrial supply shops carry something similar). All of it worked well, didn't rust parts (sometimes left stuff in there for a week or two before I got back to it) and doesn't foam up or anything.

That's my choice.