Parts Washer - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

mikeoj · 05-01-2003, 10:22 PM

What does every body use in there parts washers for cleaning?
I went to advance auto and they want almost $35/ 5 gallon pail.It's used full strength.Thats $140 for a 20 gallon washer.
I thought that was kinda high.Any suggestions.What works good and don't leave any residue?Thanks for anything,Mike

Fred T · 05-01-2003, 11:31 PM

I go to the local Co-op and buy safety solvent in bulk (take your own cans). Last time I bought some it was around $3.25 a gallon. Your 20 gallon washer takes 12 gallons to fill it.

Longhorn Man · 05-01-2003, 11:56 PM

Depending on how much you'll be using it...and what you'll be cleaning...a dish washer is pretty dang awsome.
You can get leakey ones for free all day long and install in the garage.
Some one posted a pic about 6 months ago of his clean parts coming out.

Bowed · 05-02-2003, 12:46 AM

I go to a fuel supplier and buy parts degreaser for $2.35 a gallon . You can also get a detergent concentrate from harbor freight for some thing like 6 or 7 bucks a gallon , that you can mix with with water and it is enough to fill your parts washer but it works slower then degreaser .

**Desert Rat** · 05-02-2003, 08:30 AM

Hey or you can do it the old school way.a little oil drain oan,a brush and gasoline!!!! Ive dont it like that in the past!!!!skin didnt care for it!its a cheap alternative

**nightmare** · 05-02-2003, 09:50 AM

we got ours free from my dad's shop. they were going to throw it away, but it came with 2 5 gallon buckets of varsall (sp?). excellent stuff.

Erl · 05-02-2003, 09:55 AM

NEVER, ever use gasoline to wash parts, the flash point is way too low. Try Desert Rats suggestion using diesel fuel. This way you are not circulating dirt fluid continuously. When the diesel gets dirty pour it out and put in some fresh fluid.

oldsub86 · 05-02-2003, 02:36 PM

Remember, it lasts pretty good too. The dirt settles to the bottom and you can get years of use out of the same fluid if you aren't using it like a commercial shop. I try to scrape off the worst crud before I use the washer and my fluid has stayed fairly reasonable and it has been in there at least 2 or 3 years.

SEVEND2 · 05-02-2003, 02:48 PM

I used in my small parts washer..... simple green 30%, Castrol Super degreaser 50% and water the rest (approx values)

Seemed to work great

05-01-2003, 10:22 PM	#1
mikeoj Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: WI,USA Posts: 495	Parts Washer What does every body use in there parts washers for cleaning? I went to advance auto and they want almost $35/ 5 gallon pail.It's used full strength.Thats $140 for a 20 gallon washer. I thought that was kinda high.Any suggestions.What works good and don't leave any residue?Thanks for anything,Mike __________________ 69 Lwb C-10 402/700R4 70 Lwb C-10 250/3pd Wisc.

05-01-2003, 11:31 PM	#2
Fred T Cantankerous Geezer Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Bel Aire, KS Posts: 6,264	I go to the local Co-op and buy safety solvent in bulk (take your own cans). Last time I bought some it was around $3.25 a gallon. Your 20 gallon washer takes 12 gallons to fill it. __________________ Fred There is no such thing as too much cam...just not enough engine.

05-02-2003, 09:55 AM	#7
Erl Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 555	NEVER, ever use gasoline to wash parts, the flash point is way too low. Try Desert Rats suggestion using diesel fuel. This way you are not circulating dirt fluid continuously. When the diesel gets dirty pour it out and put in some fresh fluid. __________________ 1968 GMC 305 V6 3/4 4x4 Stepside 06 Corvette Daily Driver Dallas TX

05-02-2003, 02:36 PM	#8
oldsub86 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 695	Remember, it lasts pretty good too. The dirt settles to the bottom and you can get years of use out of the same fluid if you aren't using it like a commercial shop. I try to scrape off the worst crud before I use the washer and my fluid has stayed fairly reasonable and it has been in there at least 2 or 3 years. __________________ 1968 Chevy - 292 with a powerglide

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05-01-2003, 11:56 PM	#3
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Depending on how much you'll be using it...and what you'll be cleaning...a dish washer is pretty dang awsome. You can get leakey ones for free all day long and install in the garage. Some one posted a pic about 6 months ago of his clean parts coming out.

05-02-2003, 12:46 AM	#4
Bowed Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: where it's hot Posts: 1,059	I go to a fuel supplier and buy parts degreaser for $2.35 a gallon . You can also get a detergent concentrate from harbor freight for some thing like 6 or 7 bucks a gallon , that you can mix with with water and it is enough to fill your parts washer but it works slower then degreaser .

05-02-2003, 08:30 AM	#5
Desert Rat Senior Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Darrington, Washington Posts: 3,963	Hey or you can do it the old school way.a little oil drain oan,a brush and gasoline!!!! Ive dont it like that in the past!!!!skin didnt care for it!its a cheap alternative

05-02-2003, 02:48 PM	#9
SEVEND2 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Menifee, Calif, USA Posts: 2,145	I used in my small parts washer..... simple green 30%, Castrol Super degreaser 50% and water the rest (approx values) Seemed to work great



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