What do you think of the “water based solvent” parts washers?

[Sam Harris]

I’d really like to have a dedicated parts washer in the shop. I don’t like the cost, or really, the danger of having 20 gallons of flammable solvent in the shop. I was considering a Hobo Fraught parts washer. It’s cheap & $130, but the solvent will add up to around $300 I believe to fill it up. I watched a YouTube video of a guy using his, and he seemed pleased. He used I believe “crud cutter” in it, as a water based solvent.

I’m curious if anyone here has one, what they use for solvent, and whether it’s actually worth it.

 

[Fless]

Maybe look at something like this:

There are just some days I wish I didn't turn wrenches

I'd love to know what the enzyme is called, and if it's available to the public. I am asking and will post back here.

www.tahoeyukonforum.com

 

[Sam Harris]

Maybe look at something like this:

There are just some days I wish I didn't turn wrenches

I'd love to know what the enzyme is called, and if it's available to the public. I am asking and will post back here.

www.tahoeyukonforum.com

Hmm.. so that’s a service I guess? I went to the Cintas website, and found it, but I’d rather have a dedicated washer I can use when I need it.

 

[Sam Harris]

Hmm.. so that’s a service I guess? I went to the Cintas website, and found it, but I’d rather have a dedicated washer I can use when I need it.

Ok, I re-read the post you provided. Thank you. These are definitely not cheap! lol. I am not seeing anything looking around that uses the “real” solvents anymore. Perhaps another victim of EPA “guidelines”?

 

[grouch]

I clicked the wrong button and ended up here. However, I'll toss my input in.

Where I used to work, I spent 10 years in the Still yard. This is where we refined A-5 crude into different asphalt products. While we did use some fairly strong solvents, we also used Dawn dish washing detergent. For instance, cleaning clothes in SA-47, a kerosene based solvent, cleaned the asphalt out but left a kerosene smell. After that, we used old wringer washers and Dawn to wash out clothes and that took the smell out.

I have since used Dawn in a pan with water to clean parts. When I do a "Farmer Chic" paint job, I'll use Dawn and a scuffer sponge to clean the body before sanding. Then I sand the body down, rinse it off and once dry, start putting the primer and paint on.

 

[BlaineBug]

I’d really like to have a dedicated parts washer in the shop. I don’t like the cost, or really, the danger of having 20 gallons of flammable solvent in the shop. I was considering a Hobo Fraught parts washer. It’s cheap & $130, but the solvent will add up to around $300 I believe to fill it up. I watched a YouTube video of a guy using his, and he seemed pleased. He used I believe “crud cutter” in it, as a water based solvent.

I’m curious if anyone here has one, what they use for solvent, and whether it’s actually worth it.

How many gallons does it take? Can you fill it up with something like Purple Power?

 

[Sam Harris]

How many gallons does it take? Can you fill it up with something like Purple Power?

Yes, you can use any “water based” solvents. Purple power would be in that list. It’s a 20 gallon, so I believe you’d need around 12 to fill to the correct level.

 

[George B]

I was thinking a table top or bucket sized one would work and use less solvent but how do you dispose of the solvent? I use a drain pan and some gasoline. Then I just dump it into my drain oil bucket.

 

[Sam Harris]

I was thinking a table top or bucket sized one would work and use less solvent but how do you dispose of the solvent? I use a drain pan and some gasoline. Then I just dump it into my drain oil bucket.

That’s one HUGE benefit of the water based stuff. It’s not flammable. And, I’m not sure how you’d dispose of it.. I do have a rather aggressive red ant population out here however..

 

[the_tool_man]

Another vote for Purple Power (aka Super Clean). I use it all the time. If you use it full strength, it will remove paint, and you better wear gloves or the skin on your hands will not fare well. Also, because it's a very alkaline chemical, it may corrode aluminum, so test first.

EDIT: I'm shopping for a parts washer right now, as it happens. After doing a bunch of reading on Garage Journal and other forums, I am rescinding my vote. Unless your washer has a plastic tank, Super Clean will remove the paint from the tank, causing it to rust. Also, I've learned that most parts washers have the lid set up to automatically close if there is a fire. So maybe a solvent would be the better choice overall. Won't corrode parts or the tank. Won't eat the skin off your hands.

I see lots of recommendations for PSC 1000 at TS. But it's $10/gallon. A popular budget solution is diesel fuel. I can say from experience that diesel is very difficult to ignite, if you're still worried about fire risk. I used to participate in fire extinguisher training exercises, where we'd set a pan of diesel on fire and practice putting it out. At room temperature you really had to work at lighting a puddle of diesel.