Thread: Parts Washing Tank Solvent

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Picked up a PWT with a 20 gallon barrel and pump as part of a package deal on some tools. I properly disposed of the old solvent and it is ready to refill.
What solvent do you recommend ?
I know it's old school, should I sell it and go for the enclosed cabinet type ?

I use stanasol, works good.

Paint thinner aka mineral spirits.

I bought the water based one from Northern Tools, and it ate the paint right off my brand new parts washer!! They replaced it and I bought their mineral spirits......no problems since.


Don

mineral spirits.

It might be illegal, but Trichloro Trifluo Ethane will cut anything and it is not flamable

My vote goes to mineral spirits. Here's a tip for those of you that live in colder climates. When cold weather gets here in Minnesota, I drain my parts tank into a 5 gal. bucket.... add about a quart of water to it and set it out side. The solvent will float on top of the water.... the crud will sink to the bottom of the bucket.... and the water will freeze. Now pour off your clean solvent back into your tank.

For you guys in a warmer climate. Take a 5 gal. metal bucket and install a valve about 3" up from the bottom. Fill the bucket with water stopping just short of the valve. Now drain your solvent into the bucket. Let it set for a day or so and open the valve to drain off the clean solvent.

I keep two batches of solvent on hand so I have a standby in the summer.

A bit of info for those who have spent many years dipping your hands and arms into something your predecessors did for many years.......the objects you use can create problems that your finances and family can't afford. I am telling you from experience, don't use anything without facial and epideral covering. The constant use wit no protection will, not can, lead to medical, health and legal problems. I am not that old in years of repeated use. My father is suffering, I too have afflictions I was not aware of because of the constant use of these mineral based substances. It causes organs to transform their output in protection against traumas and exsistant day to day protection experiencing skin melanommas and got arrested for DUI when I have been stone cold sober because the methyl content in the blood causes the BAC count to go thru the roof upon testing. Bewareof anything that sounds as simple as working on a refinishing project for your house and/or the boat projects that you may be working on. Todays stuff 9acetone, mek etc) smptoms that you can't xplain to the authorities what caused the rise in the count.....court case is exciting and fun (to me) but not worth the cost or stress to go through. Wear your protection at all costs......then you can feel comfortable being safe.

My vote is for something water based and bio degradable,based on the last comment
I am no enviro nazi ,I have sprayed my share of diesel and oil on the fence row ,back on the farm

I use mineral spirits mixed with gasoline, but I don't have a wash tank, I have a coffee can w/ a lid. let small stuff soak. works ok.

Try Safety-Kleen. They will pickup and refill as needed. I've used them for years in the printing bizz.....and cleaned all my car parts in them.

The BEST stuff I've ever used for stripping old paint off metal is a printing product called "MRC" or metering roller cleaner. It will remove paint off metal, melt plastic, but not harm rubber as it's a rubber roller cleaner.

Gasoline for non-smokers, or kerosene for smokers. Real men don't need no stinkin' rubber gloves or masks.

Actually I try to avoid washing parts. Makes them look to new.

I like good old-fashioned Stanasol and a good brush. Carb cleaner bucket with basket for small parts and fasteners. Actually, I REALLY prefer just using new parts!!!! They clean up great with soap and water!!!!

I gotta admit to the gasoline thing. but I don't have a fancy parts washer or anything, just use a small bucket and a brush, and dear God don't let me strike a spark!

for the parts washer, even if you use some good green environmental freindly stuff, the gloves are not optional. We got some enviro-friendly stuff at work, but it makes my skin tingle. That CAN'T be good... so I use gloves, ALWAYS. Ventillation is another MUST. Chemicals are bad for your health.. period.

I have to throw my 2 cents in here. A few years back I was cleaning parts in a Safety Clean tank. The gloves felt bulky so I took them off.
The results were the worst case of blood poisioning I have ever seen.
So bee your own judge on the gloves, but I love mine....
10' tall and bullet proof is not always the best approach...
That was 28 years ago and I still have a very large amount of heavy metal in my blood.............

Bob