Parts Cleaner

[71swb4x4]

I am working on my front brakes/rotors on my 4x4. About to put it all back together. I want to clean all of the old grease off of the nuts, washer, spring, and clips. The problem is that it is COLD out, and there is no way I am doing this outside or in the garage. Any ideas on any cleaners that would be safe to use in the house? I thought of using WD40 but that would take a long time.
Otherwise I may just take them to the machine shop and have them clean them for me.

Thanks

Shawn

[JJR]

Don't know if you would call this safe or not but I like to get a gallon of painters grade mineral spirits from Home Depot (cheaper than auto parts store parts cleaner solvent) and an empty (clean) paint can w/lid. Pour some spirits in the can and you have a mini parts washer. You should be able to shake the parts in the can and the grease will be gone. Make sure you take all the flammability safeguards.

[JimKshortstep4x4]

I use mineral spirits also. It is fairly safe if you are careful. If you soak your parts they will clean up fairly easily. Keep the mineral spirits covered when not in use. I have a regular covered wash tank that I use mineral spirits in for cleaning.

I would not use WD 40 inside as it works like starting fluid.

Jim

[67Fleetsidedream]

Find yourself a old pressure cooker pot or a large pot and boil the parts in soap and water. If you have the top to the pressure cooker you can pressure cook them clean.

[fatfords]

Here's another idea. At work, we use a parts cleaner that is water and baking soda in a heated tank. We repair aircraft gear harnesses and this solution cleans brake dust and aircraft lubricants very well. A big pot of hot water with a box of baking soda might be the ticket. (and cheap, too!)

Let us know what you work out.
Good Luck!

[67Fleetsidedream]

I forgot about this. Use the dish washer. If married don't let the wife know.

[Yellow Cheyenne]

For the really nasty parts, use oven cleaner.

[walker]

Simple green.

[TODDS 72]

lol@ the dishwasher.......but hey it works great........lol

[69 air cab]

Spirits are good but will blow (catch fire) and while make you light headed in closed in enviro........which might not be all bad.......but...by far the oven cleaner will clean before you know it. Here is what I do ........and it is cold here too..........put the parts outside, spray heavy with oven cleaner..........leave outside a few days.........the cold, rain, etc will clean the parts.....then take the spirits and wipe it down.
I also use a local shop to bake stuff off but be careful of parts being a different size when they come out of the oven.
Good luck.

[charlieo]

My brother-in-law blew up our 3.3 Intrepid motor so guess who had to rebuild the motor ! To get the heads really clean I put them in our new dishwasher, thinking I could get them done by the time my second half made it home ! Wrong !! I was building the short block & forgot all about the heads. She still tells our friends about that .

[Blue Beard]

If you use the dishwasher..........which cycle do you use........?

[TODDS 72]

i just put it in the full cycle,nice and clean

[kwmech]

I use diesel fuel sometimes or K-1 kerosene which is almost the same. When I am done with it I pour it in with the waste oil

[69 air cab]

I also have a gal can of carb. cleaner which I think I got at an auto parts store but I think it was high. If it's just small parts go to Autozone and get the cheapest can of brk. cleaner.........really good stuff that works fast. Also JJR is right about the spirites......cheap and works. I sometimes put small parts in an old coffee can wtih spirites, put the plastic top and and let is soak.

[1972C10]

Ive got a 30 gallon parts washer that i made i run mineral spirits in it if you go to buy them you can also use paint thinner since its made from mineral sprits