What do you guys use in your parts cleaner? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Frank_Zeller · 04-01-2005, 03:33 PM

Just bought a 20 gallon set up today.

jamis · 04-01-2005, 04:04 PM

mineral spirits/solvent.....use one with a high flash point specially made for it. There are some bio-degradable stuff out there...but they all suck.

cdowns · 04-01-2005, 04:41 PM

a mix of kerosene and marvel mystery oil

shifty · 04-01-2005, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamis

There are some bio-degradable stuff out there...but they all suck.

I've had a lot of good experience soaking/spraying parts with Simple Green.

Frank_Zeller · 04-01-2005, 05:39 PM

Were are you guys buying the mineral sprirts at? I can get 5 gallon kerosene can at Home Depot?

Mixup · 04-01-2005, 05:57 PM

I use mirachem. It's the same thing the Nascar teams use. Seems to work real good. www.mirachem.com

chevyboy55 · 04-01-2005, 06:35 PM

If you have an oil jobber in your area(a heating oil supplier) you can go there & get a pail of mineral spirits. That's what I did.

Fred T · 04-01-2005, 06:54 PM

Safety solvent. It used to be sold by the brand name of Stoddard, iirc. I can buy it at a local co-op or petroleum products dealer. Last time I bought any it was just under $4 a gallon, takes 12 gallons to fill a 20 gallon parts washer.

It lasts quite a while. My washer in my garage needs changed, it's 4 or 5 years old. I have added about 3 gallons to top it off. We also have one at our train museum, it gets used most every Saturday. Have to change that one about once year.

jamesi20 · 04-01-2005, 06:58 PM

ytou can get mineral spirits at home depot...in the paint dept. look at paint thinner that is mineral spirits if you look around you can usually get it for under $2.00 /gal. I've been using it for a long time.started with kerosene but the mineral spirits worked as good if not better,and leaves less of an oily film on parts you may want to paint.

J Y Dog · 04-01-2005, 09:23 PM

Mineral spirits work well but, don't forget gloves and eye protection. Things will get under your skin. Same can be said for any solvent/cleaner.

Jim

incoma · 04-01-2005, 11:55 PM

Does anyone still use varsol? I used to use that at the machine shop, and it was awesome. I heard that folks used it for thinning paint too. Just dries out your skin if you get in contact with it.

lux hauler · 04-02-2005, 05:09 AM

I am using the stuff that TSC sells.....works great.

JimKshortstep4x4 · 04-02-2005, 06:52 AM

We use mineral spirits and never change it. For rinsing we use new mineral spirits and that is how make up is added to the tank. This has worked well for us for the last 15 years.

Jim

BubbaGreen · 04-02-2005, 03:00 PM

hey frank...go to an "AutoParts Connection" store, they sell a solvent in 5gal containers made for cleaning/solvent tanks. stuff works great. These are in the austin area.

BobS · 04-02-2005, 08:38 PM

The first time I filled it I used some of that biodegradable stuff, it sucked like jamis said. I use mineral spirits now.

Bob

Frank_Zeller · 04-02-2005, 11:51 PM

Went to Sherman Williams. They sale 5 gallon containers of mineral spirits for 20 bucks.

**kwmech** · 04-03-2005, 12:12 AM

I use K1 kerosene, works great. When it gets dirty I can mix it in with the waste oil.

cheyenne10 · 04-03-2005, 12:52 AM

I do not want to detract from thread but thought lots of good answers have come in and I would like to expand question to benefit all.

What brand and size of washers work well? I remember in shop class (years ago)we had a nice one with barrel drum under it for fluid and pumped up and into basin and then back down to barrel. I think it use product from company called "Safety Klean". Harbor freight I believe just sells the one with top pan and some type of rack I guess. I liked the one where you could set parts in bottom, pump cleaner on them and use brush on hose to scrub and then fluid fell through drain in tub into barrel.

1969 GMC · 04-03-2005, 01:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J Y Dog

Mineral spirits work well but, don't forget gloves and eye protection. Things will get under your skin. Same can be said for any solvent/cleaner.

Jim

Yes make sure to use safety protection. Once we ran out of the special rubber gloves, so I just washed my Hub Loks in mineral spirits barehanded, I figured it wouldn't hurt. My hands turned bright red and felt like tiny ants were crawling all over them nonstop for a few hours, so be safe! Learn from my dumb mistakes.

Putter · 04-04-2005, 09:27 AM

100% Kerosene. Usually cheaper at a gas station. Around here, we just have seperate pumps.....gas, diesel, kerosene.... When it's time to change the washer juice, we use the old kerosene to light the burn pile!!! (Fire in the hole!!)

Frank_Zeller · 04-04-2005, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheyenne10

I do not want to detract from thread but thought lots of good answers have come in and I would like to expand question to benefit all.

What brand and size of washers work well? I remember in shop class (years ago)we had a nice one with barrel drum under it for fluid and pumped up and into basin and then back down to barrel. I think it use product from company called "Safety Klean". Harbor freight I believe just sells the one with top pan and some type of rack I guess. I liked the one where you could set parts in bottom, pump cleaner on them and use brush on hose to scrub and then fluid fell through drain in tub into barrel.

I bought this one. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...temnumber=7340

Very nice. The pump has inlet filter. Take mimum of 8 gallons to get it to pump. BTW I have the one of there Tire removers
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=34542

and tire balancer that works great. NAPA sells the weights.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=39741

the washer is on sale.

04-01-2005, 03:33 PM	#1
Frank_Zeller Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 796	What do you guys use in your parts cleaner? Just bought a 20 gallon set up today. __________________ 69 SWB C/10 5-6 drop 700R4 69 Firebird Convert 455 4 spd 70 Torino GT Convert Austin-Texas

04-01-2005, 04:04 PM	#2
jamis F.A.S.T. president Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Florida Posts: 1,883	mineral spirits/solvent.....use one with a high flash point specially made for it. There are some bio-degradable stuff out there...but they all suck. __________________ F.A.S.T. President and Founder Fabricators for the Advancement of Sawsall Technology "A fear of the Sawsall is a sign of retarded sexual and emotional maturity." ~Sigmund Freud, "General Introduction to Psychoanalysis"

04-01-2005, 04:41 PM	#3
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	a mix of kerosene and marvel mystery oil __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

04-01-2005, 05:39 PM	#5
Frank_Zeller Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 796	Were are you guys buying the mineral sprirts at? I can get 5 gallon kerosene can at Home Depot? __________________ 69 SWB C/10 5-6 drop 700R4 69 Firebird Convert 455 4 spd 70 Torino GT Convert Austin-Texas

04-01-2005, 05:57 PM	#6
Mixup Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Henderson, NV Posts: 358	I use mirachem. It's the same thing the Nascar teams use. Seems to work real good. www.mirachem.com __________________ 1980 Chevy Shortbed Pickup 1969 Z28 engine Turbo 350

04-01-2005, 06:35 PM	#7
chevyboy55 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Kelso,Wa Posts: 3,637	If you have an oil jobber in your area(a heating oil supplier) you can go there & get a pail of mineral spirits. That's what I did.

04-01-2005, 06:54 PM	#8
Fred T Cantankerous Geezer Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Bel Aire, KS Posts: 6,264	Safety solvent. It used to be sold by the brand name of Stoddard, iirc. I can buy it at a local co-op or petroleum products dealer. Last time I bought any it was just under $4 a gallon, takes 12 gallons to fill a 20 gallon parts washer. It lasts quite a while. My washer in my garage needs changed, it's 4 or 5 years old. I have added about 3 gallons to top it off. We also have one at our train museum, it gets used most every Saturday. Have to change that one about once year. __________________ Fred There is no such thing as too much cam...just not enough engine.

04-01-2005, 06:58 PM	#9
jamesi20 Senior Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: NORTHEAST OHIO Posts: 493	solvent ytou can get mineral spirits at home depot...in the paint dept. look at paint thinner that is mineral spirits if you look around you can usually get it for under $2.00 /gal. I've been using it for a long time.started with kerosene but the mineral spirits worked as good if not better,and leaves less of an oily film on parts you may want to paint.

04-01-2005, 09:23 PM	#10
J Y Dog Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: asheville, NC Posts: 63	Mineral spirits work well but, don't forget gloves and eye protection. Things will get under your skin. Same can be said for any solvent/cleaner. Jim

04-01-2005, 11:55 PM	#11
incoma Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Lexington, KY Posts: 865	Does anyone still use varsol? I used to use that at the machine shop, and it was awesome. I heard that folks used it for thinning paint too. Just dries out your skin if you get in contact with it.

04-02-2005, 05:09 AM	#12
lux hauler Psycho-billy Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: about 40 miles west of Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 2,591	I am using the stuff that TSC sells.....works great. __________________ '72 C-10 350 w/Lunati Voodoo cam (207/213, .437/.454), Performer intake, 625 Road Demon Jr. and Hooker headers. Support your community, support yourself. Buy local, buy American (or Canadian).

04-02-2005, 06:52 AM	#13
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	We use mineral spirits and never change it. For rinsing we use new mineral spirits and that is how make up is added to the tank. This has worked well for us for the last 15 years. Jim

04-02-2005, 03:00 PM	#14
BubbaGreen Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Cedar Park, TX Posts: 686	hey frank...go to an "AutoParts Connection" store, they sell a solvent in 5gal containers made for cleaning/solvent tanks. stuff works great. These are in the austin area. __________________ 71 Chevy C-10 SWB Fleetside RamJet-350/4L60e & Compushift/3.73Posi See it at www.prismnet.com/~grzanich

04-02-2005, 08:38 PM	#15
BobS Senior Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: West Central Minnesota Posts: 568	The first time I filled it I used some of that biodegradable stuff, it sucked like jamis said. I use mineral spirits now. Bob __________________ V-6....only GMC Trucks have it! 62 GMC W5000 NAPCO-V6 65 GMC 2500 NAPCO Panel-V6 66 GMC 1000-V6 66 GMC 1500-V6 67 GMC K1500-SBC (originally a KM-V6) 68 GMC C1500-V6 68 GMC C1500-V6 68 GMC Suburban C2500 70 Chevy K20-SBC 71 Chevy C30 Longhorn-SBC 72 GMC Suburban C1500-BBC 72 Chevy C10-SBC 72 GMC C5500-ToroFlow Diesel

04-02-2005, 11:51 PM	#16
Frank_Zeller Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 796	Went to Sherman Williams. They sale 5 gallon containers of mineral spirits for 20 bucks. __________________ 69 SWB C/10 5-6 drop 700R4 69 Firebird Convert 455 4 spd 70 Torino GT Convert Austin-Texas



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04-03-2005, 12:12 AM	#17
kwmech Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Colfax-California Posts: 8,598	I use K1 kerosene, works great. When it gets dirty I can mix it in with the waste oil. Last edited by kwmech; 04-03-2005 at 12:13 AM.

04-03-2005, 12:52 AM	#18
cheyenne10 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Oregon Posts: 2,512	types of washers I do not want to detract from thread but thought lots of good answers have come in and I would like to expand question to benefit all. What brand and size of washers work well? I remember in shop class (years ago)we had a nice one with barrel drum under it for fluid and pumped up and into basin and then back down to barrel. I think it use product from company called "Safety Klean". Harbor freight I believe just sells the one with top pan and some type of rack I guess. I liked the one where you could set parts in bottom, pump cleaner on them and use brush on hose to scrub and then fluid fell through drain in tub into barrel. __________________ Bob

04-04-2005, 09:27 AM	#20
Putter More Cowbell.... Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Puckett, MS Posts: 3,569	100% Kerosene. Usually cheaper at a gas station. Around here, we just have seperate pumps.....gas, diesel, kerosene.... When it's time to change the washer juice, we use the old kerosene to light the burn pile!!! (Fire in the hole!!) __________________ *There once was a member from Puckett.....Who ( fill in the blank blank blank* ) bucket**

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