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Login to post Forums » Grassroots Motorsports » trying to fabricate parts washer...

Jan. 2, 2010 10:32 p.m. jhaas New Reader

so i wana build a parts washer from an old dishwasher. i figure i'll just have a large 30gal holding tank for the cleaning solution. when the solenoid on the dishwasher opens the the solvent would flow in via gravity. when the dish washer pumps out the 'dirty water' it will go back inot the top of the tank. the dishwasher has its own heating element in it. but i could always install a water heater element in the storage tank also.

any advice on what type of cleaner to use? solvent or water based? i know water would be 'safer', what about diesel, kero, etc?? its a closed loop so i wouldn't have 'waste' that often

it seems like it would work great. i searched google for an hour and didn't find anyone who had done it yet. anyone see any issues im missing?
Jan. 2, 2010 10:40 p.m. Carson Dork

I'd be concerned that some of the heavier solvents might eat away the plastic components and seals of the dishwasher.

An actual dish detergent might be enough to get your parts clean.
Jan. 2, 2010 10:49 p.m. Josh Dork

I second carson's thoughts, just try using it as a dishwasher and you might be surprised how well it works.
Jan. 2, 2010 11:33 p.m. benzbaron HalfDork

I'd be afraid of putting any solvent in a dishwasher because there is a heating element in it. I'd just use dishwash liquid in there and use the thing as it was designed. I see people are getting away from hydrocarbon solvent for safety and health reasons. Maybe clean up the thick grease with solvent then set it and forget it, but solvent + heater element = fire.
Jan. 2, 2010 11:39 p.m. Wayslow Reader

I used our dishwasher to clean some parts once, while my wife was out. Short story is the parts came out amazingly clean but my I got side tracked in the garage and my better half ended up finding the parts. Not worth it.

An old dishwasher is a great idea though.
Jan. 2, 2010 11:46 p.m. mndsm Reader

Dishwasher is the best EVAR cleaner. Dawn takes grease out of your way, and off your intake manifold (Not that I've ever done that in a certain rental community I may or may not habitate).
Jan. 3, 2010 12:27 a.m. Trans_Maro HalfDork

I just plumbed min back to itself and left about 4 inches of soapy water in the bottom, no tank.

Works great, drain and replaec as needed.

I eventually got rid of it as it took up too much space.

Shawn
Jan. 3, 2010 4:53 p.m. jhaas New Reader

what would be the best cleaner to use? im sure there are some solvent based cleaners that are safe to heat up. about 160-180deg. or can someone recomend to badass water based cleaner? probably needs to be aluminum safe.
Jan. 3, 2010 5:05 p.m. benzbaron HalfDork

Give electrosol or whatever the powdered detergent is a chance. It is really pretty heavy duty stuff. You can even start the wash then turn it off and let the detergent do its job. I'd test it on some scrap aluminum before putting a prized part in first though so you know it won't discolor or pit anything.

You could also use an acid like nitric or phosphoric, but again you have to be carefull with aluminum. Industry uses base sodium hydroxide to chemically mill aluminum so aluminum might be vulnerable to some chemicals.

People make water based parts washers so maybe look into what type of detergent they are using.
Jan. 3, 2010 5:46 p.m. xci_ed6 HalfDork

I bet simple green would work, that stuff is amazing.
Jan. 3, 2010 7:37 p.m. mel_horn Dork

Wayslow wrote:

I used our dishwasher to clean some parts once, while my wife was out. Short story is the parts came out amazingly clean but my I got side tracked in the garage and my better half ended up finding the parts. Not worth it.

Funny, I thought I was the only one that managed that. Offending objects were an E30 air filter box and throttle body.

Also not well recieved.

There are water-based parts washers out there, ChemFree Smart Washer comes to mind, but they use enzymes in the bottom (heated) to eat the oil and grease and essentially E36 M3 water and CO2.
Jan. 3, 2010 7:45 p.m. Grtechguy SuperDork

yep....I know NOTHING about that sparkling clean M42 head that came around while the wife was away for a few hours and her dishwasher was available....nothing at all
Jan. 3, 2010 7:47 p.m. petegossett Dork

I'd try Krud Kutter, that stuff is pretty amazing. I used it to clean the mastic adhesive off the concrete floor of my shop, and it peeled it up just like paint stripper does on furniture. That was just their regular detergent too, not even their adhesive remover. It's also all-natural, non-toxic, etc. and it's available at Menards for about $14/gal.
Jan. 3, 2010 7:49 p.m. Datsun1500 Dork

I find cheap, gritty, store brand stuff works best with a little bit of sand blasting beads mixed in.

Dawn does a great job with grease, but a little Dawn in a dishwasher makes a lot of bubbles*

*enough to cover the floor of a 24x24 garage. That being said the floor looked great afterwards as did the lower three inches of the tires on my wife's car
Jan. 3, 2010 10:09 p.m. AngryCorvair SuperDork

a friend of mine rebuilds automatic transmissions, and he uses a dishwasher with, you guessed it, costco brand dishwashing detergent. my $2008 challenge intake manifold was done in his dishwasher. it came back to me friggin' spotless.
Jan. 4, 2010 4:52 a.m. ignorant SuperDork

AngryCorvair wrote:

costco brand dishwashing detergent.

This stuff is no joke. We have the worlds worst diswasher in our apartment and nothing worked well to clean dishes except the Costco stuff.
Jan. 4, 2010 11:47 a.m. 2002maniac Reader

happy birthday!

I'd just try the dishwashing detergent and see how it does before moving on to stronger, more expensive stuff.
Jan. 4, 2010 12:54 p.m. Gearheadotaku HalfDork

I always forget the dishwasher trick....
Jan. 4, 2010 1:16 p.m. digdug18 Reader

I'll have to try to wash my spare intake manifold before i get out of the apartment.

Andrew
Jan. 4, 2010 3:27 p.m. slefain Dork

55 gallon drum + trolling motor + 110v AC to 12v converter = parts washing whirlpool!

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