It's been a long time since I've had to really clean some old engine parts. What is available and what is recommended as a "solvent" nowadays? I tried some bio-degradable, water based stuff and I might as well have just set the parts out in the sun and said magic words while dancing on one foot! Would have had the same "non" effect. Any ideas?
I got tired of trying to get stuff cleaned , bought a parts washer. 200.00 at the local supply house. Worth every penny!
I've got the parts washer--and have been trying to use a commercial grade soapy kind of detergent that came with it. Just doesn't cut it like the old solvents of 20 years ago. Yeah, I know, and I'm as concerned as the next person, that they were bad for me and the environment. But, jeez, there's got to be something out there that will work.....isn't there? Adam, what are you using chemical wish as a cleaner in your washer and is it acceptable.
My old favorite is kerosene. It works okay when used with a parts cleaning brush. I'll follow that with a scrubdown in hot water and Tide. I've also used a 5 gallon pail of carb cleaner. practicly dissolves grease and crud with just a soaking. Pretty nasty stuff, especially after the pail rusted and it leaked all over my garage floor.... Once the parts are de-greased, They get bead-blasted in a homemade cabinet.
Mineral spirits (paint thinner) is chemically about the same as the old Varsol that was used in parts washers and is as effective as Varsol. I have a 5 gallon plastic bucket with a lid and a dip basket that I use. Poor man's parts washer.
I am with you, Kerosene is the best solvent for oil/sludge cleaning! I have actualy made attachemts out o fan old paint gun to force clean parts on teh car, and then pressure wash it. Comes out spotless, and ready to paint. Good stuff! $1.00/gallon. -Jon
Oven cleaner works awesome. Spay it on, let sit for and hour. Then hook up your garden hose to the hot water port for your washer and spray it off. This will get all of the grease off and some times will strip the paint off too. NOTE: do not use on aluminum!
Holy Chripes Has any one used this stuff before on a warm oven (as directed). This stuff will kill you. Chemical smell usually doesn't bother me, but this stuff sucks the wind out of me. I'm surprised this stuff is still marketed as an "indoor" product.:ball:
Good ideas! I wondered what was comparable with Varsol. The carb cleaner is good...use that in a one gal. size for small parts and it does work well. Never even thought of the oven cleaner. And yes, it ought to be carrying a warning label....god that stuff is strong when used in a warm oven. Don't have a blasting cabinet yet....will be getting one within the next several months--or building one--and wonder (I know, here he goes again!) what "medium" is best? Baking soda, sand, walnut shells, plastic????? I had them use plastic on my '55 chevy prior to body work and it was great. But in a blasting cabinet...what's best?
I hate to say it, but Berryman's Chem Dip works well. It looks like toxic waste and it stinks terribly. My buddy bought a stainless steel kettle with a lid and also got a big spaghetti strainer and put about 10 gallons of the dip in it. He lets it stew for an hour or a day, depending on the gunkiness. It comes out looking brand new or a facsimile thereof. He's done timing covers, valve covers and even heads. He put damn near his entire 430 in the kettle, minus the block and crank. This stuff works well with aluminum, too. You'll need to wire brush it, though. On the can it says to wash it off with water. When you do this make sure your outside. I think water makes it stink worse.
I used kerosene in my parts washer....worked great! If it is a part that needs painting, I just blasted it with brake clean afterwards. Tough to beat the price too!!:TU: Kerosene has a pretty low flash point too.:Smarty:
Have used Mineral Spirits for years in my parts washer. Walmart at around $2-3 a a gallon. Looked at the contents of SafetyKleen and it was about 80-90% mineral spirits. Works really good for me. Mark
I use some degreaser the I get by the gallon at the local True Value hardware store. Works OK and says it's "environment friendly." I don't feel bad about having the kids use it to clean parts.:TU: For really heavy oil/dirt caking, I'll mix up a batch of that old-school "gunk." That's a mix of pain thinner (or kerosene), laundry detergent and water. I vary it according to the situation but 4 parts solvent, 2 parts detergent and 1 part water will cut through a lot. Then rinse with water.
Diesel fuel and Kerosene is what the backwoods mechanics use here. PB Blaster, time, a wire brush, and some carb cleaner is what Ive used to get some nasty bolts clean.
The best i've found is Carb cleaner, buy it in a big bucket, and just let the parts set in it for a few hours. It usually takes minimal scrubbing. a couple people mentioned oven cleaner, i've never tried that, but i bet it would work. That stuff will eat your skin off.
Hi All, Bob, I'm just using stuff I got from my local jobber, specifically for parts cleaners, It's made by Kleen Flow. I can get the number if you like. Adam.
