Stoge

My parts washer was full of oil and grime and water (somehow), so I decided to drain it and cover everything inside with oil. Now that I am ready to use it again, I am looking for a suitable substitute for "Handi Kleen" fluid. Anyone use mineral spirits? How much will it be for me to get 6 gallons of this stuff, and where do I buy it at?

Thanks!

Chris Fowler

"Parts Warsher"?

Man...you are from OK, aren't you? ;)

(sorry...had to...don't have the answer to your question, though... :()

Stoge

Hahaha.... yup! :lol: :yesnod: :yesnod: :lol:

slide

Not sure the cost but you can buy mineral spirits at any of the major hardware stores or building centers( Lowes, Your Building Centers, Ace Hardware, etc) I myself use kerosene in my parts washer. Just have to watch using open flame in the same area :D I know it's a :nono: but it works well and is easy to get.

Stoge

Never thought about Kerosene. They sell that stuff just down the road from where I live. That got me to thinking, though. I know kerosene is flamable, and isn't mineral spirits flamable too?

I keep my parts "warsher" in my garage, so the fire thing is obviously a real concern of mine. How does the kerosene do as far as smell is concerned? If I use it is it going to stink up my hands / house / garage?

How flamable is kerosene compared to Diesel? More? Less?


[Modified by Simon Alexander, 1:21 AM 11/15/2001]

slide

Kerosene is just a super clean diesel fuel, as far as flamable their equal but the kerosene won't put off as much smoke if you happen to, well get to close with an open flame :D Kerosene dosen't have as strong of a smell as diesel fuel but it will have an odor, if your garage is connected to your house or located under it I wouldn't recommend kerosene or diesel fuel and yes it will leave a smell on your hands. You may want to check into the mineral spirit idea.

Stoge

Great. Thanks, Slide! ;)

Tom454

I have a "hot tank" that I inherited from a Body Shop (in Paterson NJ) that I am refurbishing- I am looking for a pump. The ones I found at Northern Tools/Hydraulic and Harbor Freight are not suitable for use with anything much more than soapy water. How is it that you guys can use mineral spirits and/or kerosene with a parts washer pump? Where can I get one of these pumps?

Stoge

My parts washer is a Handi-Kleen. I'm not sure what kind of pump it has in it. I imagine if you do a search for it on Google you might find something there.

Steve439

I finally bought a parts washer last year. I did a bit of research and
ended up using odorless paint thinner. It's a pretty decent solvent
and is probably the least toxic. Here's a link to an interesting page:
http://www.sunnysidecorp.com/general.htm

Tom454

Just got back from the local Northern Tools store-

Off their parts washers:

"Do not use solvents or degreasers with a flashpoint below 105 degrees F."
"Use only those cleaning solutions with a petroleum base."
(They sell water based solvents right next to the washer, go figure)
"Do not use gasoline."

They told me that they sell mineral spirits (petroleum naptha) more than the other types.
Mineral spirits is flamable, but apparently it is compatible with THEIR pump(s).

Besides the obvious flashpoint/flamability issues, I believe the main issue is pump compatability.

You have to use solvents that are compatible with your own particular pump.
What someone else uses in their parts washer is moot unless they have exactly the same pump as you.

Phlash

I use a naptha based solvent from the local oil/gasoline distributor in town. It has a high flash point. You can't set it on fire with a match unless you get it hot enough to boil. It ran $2.40/gal about 2 weeks ago. (Gee I remember when it was cheaper than gas at about $.25 cents/gal). It work good and with both plastic and metal pumps. Much cheaper than Safeti-Kleen. But like all solvents, use the proper PPE, chemical resistent gloves, not latex unless you want 3 legged children.

Phlash 72 BB Roadster :lol: