Parts Washer - Looking for Solvent Recommendations
 

We have a new/never used Northern 20gallon parts washer (12 gallon solvent capacity). I'm looking for some recommendations for a good solvent to use. I believe it needs to be non-corrosive. Any help you may have would be greatly appreciated!

PB Blaster makes a good solvent. It is not mineral spirit based. Doesn't leave a residue and can be use on some plastics even. Sells for about $85 for five gallons at Napa.

I just bought 5 gallons of parts washer solvent at Tractor Supply last week for around $58. I haven't used it yet, so I can't say how well it works.

I normally purchase mineral spirit based solvent from Rural King. It seems to last longer than mineral spirit replacements.

My machinist uses Cascade dishwashing soap in his. No suds, cleans well. Simply soap and water.

Misread this thread.....I thought you had one of the heated steam spray wash cabinets, not a solvent tank. Please disregard!

140 Solvent is what we use. I don't like mineral spirits because of the smell... Thing you have to watch out for , if the unit has a plastic pump (cheapie) the solvent distorts the plastic and the pump stops working in short order.

Paint thinner.

Stoddard solvent add some auto trans fluid to soften the harshness.

I've used the Tractor Supply solvent. Works well, just make sure to keep the lid closed on the washer or it will evaporate.

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/to...rch=47479-1651

Is this it? Says water based solvents only.

I'm going to try "purple stuff" in the same cleaner diluted 15-1 and see what happens. I can always add more if it's not strong enough. Probably won't try it for about a month or so as I won't need it till then. I'll let you know how it works out.

I bought one of those a few years ago... Got tired of fooling around with the water based degreasers and bought a solvent rated pump from Amazon .. modified it to fit and been using it that way since.
I use odorless mineral spirits but wondered if there was something better myself.

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Thanks everyone. Looking at the washer closer it does specify only water based. We had a decent (warmer) day here in PA yesterday so I ended up washing my M20 parts out in the driveway with good old gas. The parts washer will be nice to have in place though long term.

I used the stuff from Tractor Supply. It works pretty decently. Its reasonably priced compared to other stuff. When I was doing research it seemed like the cheap/safe stuff worked well if heated. Or you can use something with a much more dangerous flash point that works fine at room temp. Diesel seemed like a decent option if you didn't mind your garage smelling like a truck stop.


In retrospect I wish I had spent more money up front and bought a unit that heated the fluid. I didn't realize it before purchase.