Hi All

This is probably only marginally the right place to put this question

I'd like to know what you do or would use in a parts washer.

I have used kerosene previously and have heard that diesel is good, there is of course the commercially available products.

What would you use

Cheers
Steve

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1964 998cc Cooper
1971 Mini K x 2
1972 Clubman GT

I like the degreasing properties of diesel, but it doesn't evaporate away after you remove the parts from the washer, it stays oily and stink to high heaven.

Kero and turps perform equally well as far as I can see, and they will dry themselves nicely ready to enamel.

Petrol is too dangerous, metho too weak.

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

You could also look at the degreaser's that mix with water such as caustic soda, but this can strip paint as well.
There are commercially available ones and supposedly they are better than solvent based cleaners because you can filter them and then reuse. Whereas the solvent ones just dissolve the grease etc. and get slightly thicker.

I have found that diesel is great for engine and gear box parts that won't be painted because the diesel doesn't evaporate.

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The 850 Man

This has been covered before not so long ago.
I buy my solvent through a local company who supply, lease and service parts washers. You supply the 20L drums and they fill them or they sometimes have extras that they will loan you if you bring them back. It takes 2-3 drums to fill mine but it is a trade sized one that you would see in a commercial workshop.

They're based in Sydney which doesn't help you, but it may be worth checking you local suppliers who may do something similar.
KB

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I figure they must have a detergent in the commercial mixes as they clean away so well and leave nothing behind when dry, but I can't be sure.

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

I have diesel in my parts washer and i hate it!!!!! it stinks and its its oily... But i am a pov arse so i dount i will be changing it anytime soon.

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*Reasonable pricing
*I come to you..
Jay: 0431404607

I bought a parts washer months ago and it is still sitting empty as I can't work out what to put in it. The instructions say don't use solvents. The commercial stuff is water based that has to be washed off under pressure stream of water which means you have to dry it somehow after. I’m still using my plastic bin with diesel in it and give a rinse in kero after.

Other thing is cost diesel is not cheap kero is dearer - the commercial detergents are the cheapest

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David L


My greatest fear in life is that when I die my wife will sell my Mini and tools for the price I told her I paid for them!

I use the dishwasher with industrial pot cleaner - works well, but the next load of dishes is bit crappy

I do to for some things but I do take the dishes out first

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David L


My greatest fear in life is that when I die my wife will sell my Mini and tools for the price I told her I paid for them!

I would like to chime in on this one, here in the states we have a citrus based solvent smells like oranges. It is a concentrate that you mix with water if you use it cold it works ok need to soak parts for a few hours then brush. But what I have found out is if you set up your tank with a hot water heater element and thermostat keep it over 100 f it will work fast and is safe to use and environmentally friendly. I have a parts washer available to me at my work so my tank is still in the storage. I have also a small parts washer that is easy to build and works well. You need a angle gear reducer a electric motor a 5 gal bucket, couple the motor and reducer together on a frame so the it sits at 15 to25 degrees off center make a mount for the bucket. I used a plate and rolled a ring from some flat steel then some paddles to fit on the inside of the bucket. Go to your local machine and beg or buy about a pound of porcelain shot that they use in there vibrating cleaner and that’s it. Put your shot in put your nuts bolts pushrods rockers what ever in the bucket add some of your favorite dish soap in and turn it on in 20 minutes it will all look like new rinse with water and dry. One of the most used cleaning tools I have ever owned.
Dave

I loved this ad, it reminds me of life around my house:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=6qs7qsCPabI

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

It think they're just warning you off using electroclean, acetone thinners and the like, not turps, kero, turco,, etcetera.

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

Thats not a 9/16th

I don''t have a parts cleaner I do without
Diesel has to much oil in it.

King of bling does.
Petrol or desgreaser and wash it down with water. Wire wheel it, you can't get it cleaner. Wax & Grease cleaner, Your dirty but its clean as

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Stop Licking the Dog...I Don't Care Who Started It

I use Supercrap spray degreaser, but if real dirty I soak in diesel first.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

yep, always keep a tin or two about, some jobs are too big to put in the parts washer...

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.