Parts washer

[Oldguy48]

Anyone using a parts washer with water-based solvent? Thinking about getting a parts washer, but unsure about what sort of solvent to use. Used to use one at a prior job, with the nasty stuff in it. Worked well, but in my workshop/garage, proper/legal disposal would be a problem when it's time to change it out, as well as personal safety concerns. Any suggestions/recommendations? Thanks.

Wayne

[Plymouthy Adams]

I use a parts washer but not with a water based solvent....finding a good heavy detergent that is non suddsing...not so sure there...B52 Brown bomber maybe..but it has an acid ingredient..if you pump is all plastic and magnetic coupled..maybe...

[greg g]

I thought most of these used mineral spirits or stodard solvent.  Don't the solids kind of congeal in the bottom of the tank, then you just keep topping off for evaporation lose.  If and when you need to dump the stuff, most counties have a hazardous waste collection recycling day or days where it can be dropped off and handled properly.

 

I'm for being environmentally conscious and all but for home use how many times in your lifetime are you going to need to change out the system? Not like a commercial garage where the thing get used 20 times a day, and fills up with goo fairly fast.  At the dealership I worked at they had a couple and I only remember safety clean coming around once or twice in the three years I worked there.

[Plymouthy Adams]

on another note...who would know better what solvents mineral or water based is best suited than the makers of the parts tank themselves...I would suggest a open communication via phone or e-mail with customer service.

[chopt50wgn]

If you are going to use this washer every day then it may be a good investment. But like everyone has said about getting rid of the used stuff and also finding a useable spot out of the way to put it is another factor. I have found using the non-chlorinated brake cleaners have done what I needed and then I throw the can into the recycle  bin.

[austinsailor]

I bought one of the spray type parts washers. I don't think this is what you are talking about, but it just uses water and a powder type soap. Gets hot, about like a monster dishwasher. 160 degrees, cleans blocks, heads and the best - all the sheet metal motor parts.

I think all I have to do is occasionally clean the solids from the tank.

Gene

[Mike Petersen]

We have an upright  rotisserie type with a 220 heater for trans. and genset rebuild cleaning H20 cleaner. Also have a H20 parts washer for small parts. Heated also. Napa sells a parts washer H20 liquid called Ossie Juice to go with there parts washers for their commercial accounts out here in Ca. They were a little costly so we changed out to a company that supplies and services parts washers to stay up with our AQMD manifests.. 

[wayfarer]

"Water-based" to me, simply indicate the system I use in my hot-tanks: ZEP # 9878 for ferrous metals and ZEP # 15282 for non-ferrous.

These are water based, work best at 120° or more, and do an amazing job.

For small jobs that I wanted to clean in a fresh tank I just put 'x' amount of powder in a 5-gal bucket and poured in hot tap water.

[RobertKB]

I am redoing my kitchen counter and replacing the old two hole sink. I was thinking of making that a parts washer by welding the holes shut and using one side to hold varsol and the other as a drying area. I would keep it covered but it would probably evaporate very slowly. Just wondering how combustible varsol is? I have a heated garage for the winter and don't want any explosions happening. I have used varsol many times to clean parts with the furnace on with never a problem but not left the varsol sitting around, even covered, unless with a seal proof top. Any thoughts welcome. 

[Plymouthy Adams]

Robert..as they tie to a common single line...either tank can get the supply, either can drain without hindering the action of the other...and if your sink is stainless...cleans up will be just all to easy and will look great...also being thin metal as it is you can easily construct and attach lids to the tanks for evap./odor control