What's a good solvent?

[CRASH]

Many years ago I used to have a parts washing tank. I got a solvent from a local oil company. I don't know if I can get that stuff anymore. What's a good off-the-shelf solvent for degreasing and cleaning parts?

 

[Fahrrad]

if you are looking for a mild degreaser go with simple green or Mineral spirits. But for the toughest of gunk I use lacquer thinner, it will take anything off.

 

[c.p.odom]

I second Fahrrad. I use the same two solvents. I use simple green in my ultrasonic cleaner and Lacquer thinner for the big jobs.

 

[wheelhorseman]

Clear Kerosene...IMO the best readily available cleaner you can get. Mineral spirits will burn your hands like crazy if its fresh and hasnt got dirty and dilluted. We used kerosene at our heavy equipment rental shop for years. When it gets too dirty to use pour it in the ole smudge pot and burn it.

 

[Rat Rod]

I'm a loyal Simple Green user. :mrgreen:

 

[Fahrrad]

Plus, simple green is more enviro friendly

 

[dougfisk]

Gasoline is nearly as good as lacquer thinner at a fraction of the cost. People say it is flammable, but I haven't caught fire yet. The odor is unpleasant though.

 

[jackdaw]

Kerosene is what I use...

 

[sensor]

small stuff just simple green...anything that im going to paint or completely rebuild i use wax and grease remover. you can get it at any auto paint supplier and is about $20 for a gallon.

 

[Fahrrad]

Gasoline is nearly as good as lacquer thinner at a fraction of the cost. People say it is flammable, but I haven't caught fire yet. The odor is unpleasant though.

Now days that fractions is becoming much larger. Gas = $3.30/gal, Laquer thiner, = $6/gal
I buy mine 5 gal at a time, it is cheaper that way. :mrgreen:

 

[jwm]

Gasoline. Been using it ever since I was a kid. Haven't put my eye out yet.

JWM

 

[Road Master]

Kerosene - old school

 

[Uncle Stretch]

Simple Green stinks and makes me want to GAG! Gas works really good and diesel is a second option.

 

[Rat Rod]

Ha Ha...c'mon...it smells like Root Beer!

You must have tried to drink it or something. :lol:

 

[Uncle Stretch]

I would use Windex before I use Simple green again. Not sure what your smelling but I didn't
get any that smelled like Root Beer. I'm not so sure its good for the ecology either.
I bet it makes the fish sick with that smell. :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[Rat Rod]

Found this on their materials safety data sheet...

This is a Green colored liquid with a sassafras added odor.

That's why it smells like root beer.

Simple Green - All-Purpose Cleaner

http://www.simplegreen.com/products_all ... leaner.php

Over 30 years ago, concentrated Simple Green® All-Purpose Cleaner was formulated for the industrial marketplace… but it kept finding its way back home! Customer satisfaction, loyalty and demand have since put the Simple Green “family” of popular convenient sizes in retail stores nationwide!

The makers of Simple Green have spent over $3 million to verify the safety claims and unique formulation. Concentrated Simple Green had it right from the start. An environmentally-sensitive non-toxic cleaner/degreaser that really works and can be economically custom-diluted for many, many different uses. From floors and walls to pots and pans, from windows to sinks and drains, even greasy tools, it only takes a little Simple Green to get big jobs done around the house.

Simple Green is one of the most versatile all-purpose cleaners you can buy! It’s non-toxic and biodegradable, without harmful bleach. Because it is a concentrate, you can custom dilute Simple Green to clean just about anything dirty. It replaces most cleaners, detergents, degreasers and laundry pre-soaks you're using now!

Discover the value and power of Simple Green. And your green will go a lot further too.

 

[user 135]

WD-40

 

[Rat Rod]

One thing cool about Simple Green is that if you get grease on your clothes you can spray some on there and let it soak for an hour or so and then wash it and it usually gets the grease out.

It has these enzymes in it that feed on grease so that's how it breaks it down.

That's the "Magic Texas Water" at my house. :lol:

 

[CCR]

...It has these enzymes in it that feed on grease so that's how it breaks it down.

That's the "Magic Texas Water" at my house. :lol:

I feel like I just watched a mini infomercial for scrubbing bubbles or something :lol:

Simple green is awesome stuff though, for painting I always use dupont 3919s prep solvent.

 

[user 135]

...It has these enzymes in it that feed on grease so that's how it breaks it down.

That's the "Magic Texas Water" at my house. :lol:

I feel like I just watched a mini infomercial for scrubbing bubbles or something :lol:

I forsee a new sponsor banner. :mrgreen: :mrgreen: