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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    Canberra
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    1,322

    Default Parts Washer Solvent?

    So what are people putting in their parts washer?

    I've been using Lightning ISD solvent, which works OK and doesn't smell too much, but it costs a bomb and forms a dreadful white sludge in the bottom of the washer.

    I'd like something that doesn't stink, like diesel or kero do, but on the other hand, if they're the effective and cheap options, I might have to go with one of them...
    Last edited by RustyArc; 12th Apr 2021 at 07:09 PM. Reason: To two and too.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Southern Flinders Ranges
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    1,536

    Default

    At work they were using Simple Green as the go to until the massive steaming cabinets arrived a couple of months back. I believe the smaller parts washers still have Simple Green in them though.
    I use it at home, non toxic, biodegradable and doesn’t stink.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Melbourne
    Age
    34
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    1,075

    Default

    I'll check the drum on the stuff at work. It's oil/petroleum based like turps but doesn't smell as strong (smells similar though), definitely no sludge.

    EDIT: that simple green stuff is probably better if you want no smell

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    York, North Yorkshire UK
    Posts
    6,439

    Default

    Hi Guys,

    I don't have a parts washer as such, using any old plastic container, usually food ones that my wife throws out ! I like to use White spirit that is available in two and five Ltr bottles. For me it is a more versatile solvent. The two Ltr ones usually from the supermarket at twice the price per Ltr of a five Ltr bottle from the paint shop. A 25 Ltr plastic canister, too big for me, is cheaper still per 5 ltrs.
    Best Regards:
    Baron J.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    Canberra
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    1,322

    Default

    Thanks for the suggestions - I can get that Simple Green Parts Washing Fluid from Blackwoods - $303 for 25L, which isn't cheap, but it mixes up to make 100L.

    My experience with pretty much all cleaning products is if it smells like it's taking years off your life, it's probably *far* more effective than the less stinky version.

    Looking around the other options offered by Repco and Chemtools, they seem to be various combinations of hydrocarbons, such as kerosene with some acetone and naptha thrown in, or heptane, which it seems is a component of petrol. Probably super effective, and super flammable, and probably life-shortening

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Mallacoota,VIC,Australia
    Age
    53
    Posts
    1,010

    Default

    We used to use White Spirit in the parts washer at work, but my old Boss switched to Parts Washer (solvent based) from Bursons as the white spirit was getting a bit pricey. I actually preferred the white spirit as it didn't seem to smell as much.
    All The Best steran50 Stewart

    The shortest way to do many things is to do only one thing at once.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Nov 2017
    Location
    Geelong, Australia
    Age
    57
    Posts
    2,651

    Default

    What’s the practical working life of Simple Green?
    Do you need to change it periodically regardless, or does it’s cleaning ability just degrade depending on the workload?
    Does the oil from parts being washed separate out and need to be skimmed?
    I haven’t ever heard anyone complain about it - other than the price - but if it lasts well it’s probably not expensive in the long run.

    I’m currently using diesel - cheap (and smelly) but not particularly effective.
    I tried a cheaper water based solution at one point but it was crap, and the water evaporation/condensation caused rust inside the lid and tank surfaces that weren’t immersed.

    Steve

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Southern Flinders Ranges
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    1,536

    Default

    The simple green website shows they make their own 110L parts washer. It has a filter housing on the outside so I would assume it’s just filtered. The small parts cleaners at work are identical with a filter on the side. What it’s longevity is like I don’t know, I don’t use it in a parts washer.

    Might be worth getting special orders at Bunnings to quote it for you, they stock Simple Green but not that line and pretty much everywhere is cheaper than Blackwoods...

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    Lebrina
    Posts
    1,910

    Default

    The most effective parts washer solution I have ever used was genuine Power Kerosene. It certainly wouldn't pass the lack of smell test though.
    I loaned my parts washer to a friend and they drained the old diesel that I had in it and refilled it with some Power Kerosene out of an old 44 Gallon drum that they had. Power Kerosene ceased production in the early to mid 70's I believe and this would have been around 2010, which makes me think that part of the volatile components would have evaporated over the 30 odd years, so I'm not sure if making your own concoction out of petrol and heating oil (many recipes available online) would be advisable or not. Apparently Jetfuel A1 will substitute for Power Kero as well.
    It cleaned like nothing I've used before or since.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Melbourne
    Age
    34
    Posts
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  11. #11
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    Canberra
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    Default

    I was cleaning out the dreadful gunge left by the Lightning stuff using turps, which while not exactly odour-free, seemed a lot more tolerable and easier to wash off hands than diesel, so am wondering if it, or similarly, white spirit, might be a good compromise.

    I could also invest in gloves, of course...

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Nov 2017
    Location
    Geelong, Australia
    Age
    57
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    2,651

    Default

    Slightly off topic - but since you mention the brand - the Lightening hand cleaner with lanolin is one of the best I've used..
    I've currently got a 4L of the "scrubber" version with gritty stuff in it. Seems to be very effective without being hard on your hands.

    Steve

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Melbourne
    Age
    54
    Posts
    825

    Default

    Check with Sydney Solvents, they have a number of degreasers on their product list and their prices are usually pretty good.
    No affiliation, I buy all my iospropyl alcohol and acetone from them, they ship, their prices are good and they're really helpful.
    Cheers,
    Greg.

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    Canberra
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    Default

    So an urgent job came up - a mulching/flail mower where the operator had been using it in the undocumented "grease-free" mode for a year or five. with a bunch of bearings in various states of partial existence.

    I needed my currently empty parts washer up and going, so I ended up at Repco and got some 20L tins of their parts washing solvent. The label mentions Recochem, and a Google suggests it might be their Recosol L20 Parts Wash, which according to the SDS is 85% kerosene and 15% naphtha.

    It's a bit stinky, and even with gloves, I'm regretting it having splashed a bit on my sleeves, but it's not too bad. Wasn't expecting much effect against baked grease residue, but with that scraped away it seemed to do OK. As I put more and varied stuff through it, I'll report the results.

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Location
    Laidley, SE Qld
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    1,038

    Default

    Deodorised kerosene here.

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