rpellicer
Registered Member
I just got a 20 gal. parts washer from Harbor Freight. It says to use water based solvent. Any suggestions of what solvent to use? (can't run my old favorite - kerosine)
CK5
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Parts Solvent
- Thread starter rpellicer
- Start date
MOABDADC22
1/2 ton status
I run power purple in mine. Not sure if it is water based though.
tunedportk5
1/2 ton status
I remembered this post from a while back about solvents http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=123921&highlight=parts+cleaner If you do a search you'll probably find more.
K5MONSTERCHEV
1/2 ton status
We have a barrel of this stuff at work, I thinkits like isopffranic (SP?) or something, works great, but our machine recycles it every night, so its always clean!
Smitty
1/2 ton status
I just picked up the same washer and I'm running into the same problem. I never thought to check what type of solvent it would handle 
. I just figured I'd dump some PD-680 in it and go.... I'm looking for something that I don't need to wash off with water after I'm done cleaning the part. I'll let you know what I come up with if I find a suitable solvent before you do.
. I just figured I'd dump some PD-680 in it and go.... I'm looking for something that I don't need to wash off with water after I'm done cleaning the part. I'll let you know what I come up with if I find a suitable solvent before you do.I have a parts washer from HF. We put Castrol Super Clean/Purple Power mixed 50/50 with water in it. Cleans great, but the pump died pretty fast. I think that what ever it is in that stuff ate some of the pump's parts like it eats the skin off your hands.
If you weld a pipe bung on the side of the tank and put one of those immersion water heaters in the tank the solvent works WAY better.
If you weld a pipe bung on the side of the tank and put one of those immersion water heaters in the tank the solvent works WAY better.
Smitty
1/2 ton status
I know the Simple Green will eat through a metal container over time. We had 55 gallons stored in an overhead storage tank a few years back and came in on a Monday to find a hole in the tank and a very nice smelling shop. I can just guess what it would do to my cheap parts washer....
rpellicer
Registered Member
PD-680? That sounds familiar. Is that used for cleaning aircraft?
Smitty
1/2 ton status
Cleaning solvent we used in the parts washers when I was in the military. I'm sure it was used on the flight line too.
muscle
1/2 ton status
I dont understand why the washer is limited to using only water based solvents? I use mineral spirits (paint thinner) and its works great and cheap too.
rpellicer
Registered Member
I'm assuming it's to reduce the fire hazard. Also the pump has some plastic parts which probably could be eaten up by some solvents.
BurbLover
1/2 ton status
I bought my parts cleaner solvent @ harbor feight. Says to mix with water, but I found it worked better not diluted. Just costs a bit more 
smalltruckbigcid
1/2 ton status
Bought my cleaner at northern tool....$5.-6. a gal I think, no mixing
George
George
patches85
Registered Member
Castrol Super Clean. My Dads buddy is a machinist and probably one of the sharpest guys I know and he built a parts washer and thats what he uses. Takes paint and everything off if you leave it in there for a couple of days, just don't get it on your bare hands!
