parts washer fluid

What type of fluid should I use for my parts washer? I have a good size stand up unit with a pump that holds over 5 gals of fluid. I bought it 15+ years ago and drained it a few years ago when I moved. I used it to clean engine parts when I was racing motorcycles. Now I want to use it to clean up my new 40 year old bike parts.

the stuff I used to use had very little smell to it. I had a small 1 car garage and never smelled the solvent.

now I have a 3 car garage, but the master bedroom is right over it. I don't want something stinky.

I just dropped $80 on THIS STUFF but when I got home I read the sides and there are all kinds of warnings about the fumes. I haven't opened the can (don't want to if I can't return it)

Any other recommendations for fluid that is safe to keep in an attached garage?

I just use low odor mineral spirits from lowesdepot I have a lid on my washer and keep the lid down when not in use. My shop is in my basement and has no smell there or upstairs.

Grainger sells super agitine (sp?) low order.

There is an industrial solvent called, among other names, Exxol or Shellsol. Something between D38 and D50 is what to look for. This stuff is almost odorless because it is so highly refined, but it cleans parts just like 1K Kerosene because it is essentially super-refined kerosene. I really like it, and my wife doesn't complain about any smells, either.

FWW In the last couple of years the 2 machine shops I used here in Portland had switched away from solvents and over to water soluble detergents in their part washing cabinets. I asked the shop owners about it and they said the detergent worked almost as well as solvent with none of the downsides.

I've used mineral sprits as well, I have also added some charcoal lighter (Naptha) as well. This mixture is flamable but the lid has a metal link that will melt at a low temp. that will allow the lid to close and cut off the oxgen to a fire if that were to occur. I also keep a fire extingusher near by. The parts washer is in my basement and unless you are right next to it you do not smell anything.

I have a drain on the bottom of the tank that I use to empty the washer once in a while. Mostly to clean out the grunge that settles to the bottom of the tank.

Whatever solvent you use I reccomend getting an oil filter relocation kit and putting it in the pressure line from your pump. It really keeps the solvent clean and extends its life.

ditchdigger wrote: Whatever solvent you use I reccomend getting an oil filter relocation kit and putting it in the pressure line from your pump. It really keeps the solvent clean and extends its life.

BRILLIANT, how long does the filter last? What about a fuel filter? hmm, I have a few sitting around.

Depends on how often you use it and how grimy your parts are. When the flow slows down I spin on another cheapy filter. I get over a year out of mine using smallish filters.

ditchdigger wrote: Whatever solvent you use I reccomend getting an oil filter relocation kit and putting it in the pressure line from your pump. It really keeps the solvent clean and extends its life.

This needs to be in the magazine. Awesome!

I just went a put an inline fuel filter on mine. Updates to follow.

Remote oil filter on the parts washer. File that under - "Why didn't I think of that?" Awesome idea.

ditchdigger wrote: Whatever solvent you use I reccomend getting an oil filter relocation kit and putting it in the pressure line from your pump. It really keeps the solvent clean and extends its life.

I gotta do this to mine. Thanks for the idea! On washer solvent: I use low odor mineral spirits, usually available at LowesDepot.

ncjay wrote: Remote oil filter on the parts washer. File that under - "Why didn't I think of that?" Awesome idea.

I tried it at work, and the filter clogged pretty quickly. YMMV.

I clean parts at home with the hottest water I can stand and a few scoops of laundry detergent. Iron parts don't rust afterwards!

if you want to use a filter like that you need to raise the pump about a 2x4 off the bottom of the washer pan. this will raise the suction screen so you don't pick up all the grit.

If you have one with a drain in the middle of the floor they sell filter bags to filter the cleaner before it goes in the pan.

44Dwarf wrote: If you have one with a drain in the middle of the floor they sell filter bags to filter the cleaner before it goes in the pan.

Where do I find the filter bags?

Grainer is where i've got them in the past, but i'd bet McMaster has them too.

If you read the labels on everything you would never eat or have sex again.

I used Savasol in mine and it worked well but dried my hands out so bad they turned white and hand cream wouldn't touch it.

Dan