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Thread: Parts Washer Solvent?
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12th Apr 2021, 06:01 PM #1Diamond Member
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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.
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12th Apr 2021, 06:20 PM #2Most Valued Member
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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.
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12th Apr 2021, 06:23 PM #3Gear expert in training
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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
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12th Apr 2021, 06:27 PM #4
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.
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12th Apr 2021, 07:19 PM #5Diamond Member
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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
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12th Apr 2021, 07:47 PM #6Diamond Member
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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.
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12th Apr 2021, 08:56 PM #7Most Valued Member
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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
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12th Apr 2021, 09:36 PM #8Most Valued Member
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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...
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13th Apr 2021, 12:24 PM #9Most Valued Member
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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.
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13th Apr 2021, 05:57 PM #10Gear expert in training
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We use this stuff https://www.auroracleaning.com.au/cl...-Hazard/83/10/
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14th Apr 2021, 10:59 AM #11Diamond Member
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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...
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14th Apr 2021, 12:22 PM #12Most Valued Member
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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
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14th Apr 2021, 05:33 PM #13Golden Member
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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.
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14th Apr 2021, 08:19 PM #14Diamond Member
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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.
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14th Apr 2021, 08:26 PM #15Diamond Member
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Deodorised kerosene here.
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