Parts washer - where to get non-flamable solvent

[spudboy]

Just got myself a cheap and cheerful parts washer from eBay, the 20L kind with a motor and spout, for cleaning up gunky Defender engine parts etc.

I gather I should not use petrol in this, so what should I use and where should I go to get it? Is it a "Repco" sort of thing?

Am after a 20L drum I'd say.

Tks,
David

[Blknight.aus]

detergent and water....

IMHO simple green makes one of the best ones but a company that trades the oragne hand cleaner do a reasonable one as well.

[spudboy]

You serious!?!?!

I thought there would be some special space age tetra-hydro-benzate-blah-blah stuff that was the go :p

Didn't think green detergent would be strong enough to dissolve grease etc.

I have some of that orange hand cleaner stuff that I got from CBC bearings, so will try there for the detergent.

[Lotz-A-Landies]

kerosene works fine! (yes I know it's flammable.)

[LOVEMYRANGIE]

detergent and water....

IMHO simple green makes one of the best ones but a company that trades the oragne hand cleaner do a reasonable one as well.

Plus I would add a touch of kero or diesel at about 10% volume for the real gunky stuff and it helps to boost the lifespan a bit.
Every now and then strain it thru a coffee filter to remove fine particles and generally it's good to go back in unless it's started to emulsify I which case you remove it and add it to old sump oil, shake then put aside for choofer fuel for winter.
Waste not, want not, freeze not! :)

Cheers

Andrew






Sent from my mobile tellingbone using rock carvings.

[zulu Delta 534]

When we were in the coach industry we tried various dedicated truck washes, detergents and recommended products from major brands to use to wash our coaches and ended up using the cheap hair shampoo that our eldest daughter left behind when she left home. Absolutely wonderful stuff and cheap too. Especially good at eating wet bitumen spray off the paintwork and then leaving a glossy finish.
The daughter nearly fainted when we demonstrated it on fresh tar spray!! She had always argued with me that straight soap was too harsh on her delicate hair hence she only used shampoo.
Regards
Glen

[Blknight.aus]

why bother with that?

a piece of stainless steel fly screen mesh with a piece of cheese cloth placed over it and then inserted under the screen saves having to mess around straining it and stops the "crap, I just dropped that 1mm check ball from the pump into the guts of it" scenario.

http://industrial.simplegreen.com/ind_products_crystal.php

and

Extreme Orange All Purpose Cleaner Degreasers (http://www.chemguys.com.au/Extreme_Orange_AllPurpose_Cleaner_Degreasers_p/cld_106_16.htm)

have at it

[spudboy]

OK Blknight - I get it now - Simple Green is a brand. I thought you were meaning like simple green detergent that you wash your dishes up in, from Woolworths or something..... I am a dill.

[p38arover]

I used to use diesel in mine.

[abaddonxi]

I used to use diesel in mine.

And then it failed and you returned it under warranty?

Or do you wash in something different now?:p

[abaddonxi]

Oh, you mean your hair.

Ewww.

[Tank]

If you use anything stronger than detergent, the plastic motor and pump will fall to bits.
I bought a Grip brand parts cleaner and used water based degreaser and within 3 days the pump and motor body turned to powder.
If you read the instructions (I didn't) that come with the cheap parts washer (<$100) it says not to use petrol, diesel or any solvents, Detergents are the only thing that will not destroy the plastic, Regards Frank.