Cleaning Parts

[ryankmasuda]

what do you guys use to clean parts?

 

[Singtoe]

I use a parts washer.

You should be able to get one used in craigslist for around $50.

 

[mmml4]

I use this filled with mineral spirits, minus the wheels.

20 Gallon Parts Washer w/ Wheels

 

[ryankmasuda]

I use this filled with mineral spirits, minus the wheels.

20 Gallon Parts Washer w/ Wheels

I'll give the mineral spirits a try. I've used gasoline or brake cleaner in the past but I figured there were better products or at least something less expensive.

 

[Doc2012]

PURPLE POWER! That stuff is great.

 

[KidVermicious]

I wish I had a parts washer. I use Purple Power or Simple Green, followed by brake cleaner.

 

[Qyota]

Question - what do you guys do with the spent/dirty solvent that ends up in the tank?

 

[Four-CLT]

I had a coworker who recently used kerosine on a motorcycle chain. The stuff worked like gangbusters. Apparently you can get it by the half-gallon at Ace Hardware or the like.

 

[jmildoc]

brake parts cleaner, simple green, PB blaster or WD 40 in cases where there is rust i let them soak first.

 

[theizzardking]

I wish I had a parts washer. I use Purple Power or Simple Green, followed by brake cleaner.

also depends on how bad and what it is, you can drop them by and engine shop and get the ultrasonically cleaned for like $20, i used to do that with all of my old VW bus parts that were caked with 45 year old grease , oil and even rust, good stuff!

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/5GdTFwmnoDY?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

lol, the music in this video....

 

[KidVermicious]

also depends on how bad and what it is, you can drop them by and engine shop and get the ultrasonically cleaned for like $20, i used to do that with all of my old VW bus parts that were caked with 45 year old grease , oil and even rust, good stuff!

Cool tip, thanks!

I second the question upthread, when you have a parts washer, how long is the cleaning solution good for before it's too polluted to clean?

 

[mmml4]

I loose a good bit through evaporation, so it kinda stays fresh. When it gets to where it doesn't clean good enough to suit me, I drain it back into the original containers and take it to the household chemical collection that the city does every month.

 

[KidVermicious]

I loose a good bit through evaporation, so it kinda stays fresh. When it gets to where it doesn't clean good enough to suit me, I drain it back into the original containers and take it to the household chemical collection that the city does every month.

So the grease and crap stays in suspension instead of spooging all over the part you're trying to clean?

 

[mmml4]

For the most part the grease and oil mixes with the mineral spirits and thats what reduces its ability to clean. The dirt and crap ends up in the bottom of the tank.