What type do you guys use in your parts washer?

Thanks.

Barsol or Varsol (?) Have never seen the word, just heard it, so I dont know the correct spelling. Its commonly used in parts washers. Ive also seen a parts washer solution sold in 5gals at Tractor Supply Co., but not sure exactly what it is.

Im sure someone will know more.

dave

Probably VM&P Naphtha or Stoddard Solvent since we can't use the good stuff, Methylene Chloride, anymore!

I have a plastic tub of Castrol's Super Clean stuff!

Good stuff, it will even cut paint if left in long enough!

AND good old unleaded gasoline out in the open air!

Away from any sparks OR open flames AND carefully used!!

pdq67

AND good old unleaded gasoline out in the open air!

Away from any sparks OR open flames AND carefully used!!

pdq67

At today's prices, it would be cheaper to use the expensive degreaser solvent :D I use the Castrol cleaner myself...

Dano :beers:

friend of mine has a whole bunch of methylene chloride that he uses in his part washer, picked his up at some garage sale, along with some old gallon cans of 101 octane gas meant for lawn mowers..

sure cleaned my valve body up really nice, but I bet its only a matter of time before he has cancer or the EPA shows up LOL :clonk:

MEK should definately be used with gloves.
Naptha is pretty good, I tested it with grinder sparks and it won't ignite. It will burn if lit by an open flame but it burns very mildly.

I had a buddy who used paint thinner from the hardware store in his parts washer, a spark from grinding ignited it and it caught fire, luckily they slammed the lid and put it out.
Gasoline works great but you could go Poof at any moment, and I do mean POOF! :)
An employee showed up and his front tooth was broken and his face was brused. I asked what happened, he was cleaning parts with gasoline in his garage and the fumes knocked him out! :clonk:

Looked into it a little, and its Varsol that I was thinking of. I think its pretty commonly used in parts washers.

It doesnt tear up your hands, doesnt have strong fumes whatsoever, and evaporates fairly quickly. As far as flammability, I havent experimented with that yet :) .

Gasoline cuts grease well, but not great on the skin or the brain. The purple stuff is good too, but doesnt cut quite as strong.

Of course, if you ask me, remove the grease with the purple stuff, then blast the parts. Depends on the part, I guess.

dave

I use mineral spirits. It does a decent job and is not as toxic as alot of the other stuff out there.

Varsol can be gotten at most paint stores, or at least here in Tidewater area from Norfolk Paint. Bring your own container.

Lacquer thinner is good for small jobs, those 1- & 2-finger jobs.
Kerosene works good to loosen the heavy stuff, then one can use Simple Green, or equivalent to wash off the kerosene.
Greased Lightening works very well I've heard from others.
Northern Handyman sells a biodegradable solvent, don't know how it works.

I’ve used Zep Orange (a citrus based product) with good results, although not in a dedicated parts washer. I think home depot carries it. I have also seen it used it to wash down drum brakes with good success (brake clean got expensive).

Let's all be honest now...We use what is laying around that looks like it will get the job done :D

Dano :beers:

Varsol is one of the many Naphtha's.

pdq67

Just use caution. If it's flamable and you get the right conditions, all it takes is a spark... yes, even static electricity.

We used to use MEK to clean parts (with proper PPE) when some jughead used a plastic bucket to dip in the 55gal. drum... went boom, nice blue flame.