Dishwasher as a Parts Degreaser
Discussion
So I'm out here thinking about how to get that final layer of grease off before powder coating or re-assembly.
I've got a parts washer, very effective but I was wondering how to give the final de-grease. Second hand dishwashers are cheap as chips on Fleabay so I was wondering whether to buy one of those and use a non-foaming degreaser instead of dishwasher tablets.
Has anybody used their dishwasher for de-greasing and if so, got any tips? Pete
I've got a parts washer, very effective but I was wondering how to give the final de-grease. Second hand dishwashers are cheap as chips on Fleabay so I was wondering whether to buy one of those and use a non-foaming degreaser instead of dishwasher tablets.
Has anybody used their dishwasher for de-greasing and if so, got any tips? Pete
Steve_D said:
.... beware this is a very dangerous practice if you have a wife....
Steve
I have a wife. She's actually quite tolerant of me (and so are my two daughters) however using the kitchen dishwasher may not be viewed very tolerantly, hence buying one from Fleabay.Steve
It's really about a constant jet of hot (60C) degreasing fluid being aimed at the component and keeping that fluid contained. I could use a jetwash but you know what a mess that makes.... Pete
Hedgehopper said:
My chances of using the dishwasher are now zero.
And quite right too, you only have yourself to blame.......This is why I bought a Fleabay 900mm oven as I didn't think Mrs M. would be too keen on me baking my powder coated components in the kitchen and neither would it have made her cooking taste too good either.
Women have their limits you know and in my experience those limits are not high...
Anyway I am going off the subject. I think I will give it a go and I will report my findings back to this illustrious group as well as keeping PeteGriff happy by keeping the threads coming. Has anybody got an old dishwasher they want to get rid of?
By the way Pete, you seem to be the font of all knowledge, can you give any guidance on low foam degreaser? Pete
bluezeeland said:
...and avoiding breaking the machine with solvent degreaser.....
Not sure why this would happen to be honest. My plan was to clean the parts in my solvent tank first and then use a water soluble degreaser in the dishwasher (at 60C or whatever the dishwasher runs at) to remove all traces of degreaser and other remaining crud ready for powder coating or re-assembly. To be honest it should improve the old dishwasher by clearing all the old s
te it had in the system. Pete
PeteGriff said:
Though a dishwasher on the highest temperature with a good strong 'tab' would degrease metal parts, you would need to get them out and dry them quickly as the water and salt would soon start to cause corrosion on raw steel. Also remember that steel will start to corrode quite quickly, so parts should be protected as soon as possible before painting. I do like the concept though, if you went for a slimline type it should do most of what you want whilst not taking up as much room! Regards, Pete
Thanks Pete, always good advice. The plan would be to put it through the dishwasher and then blow it down very quickly with the airline and either get some oil on it or else powder coat it immediately.Just to be clear, I was not planning to use any dishwasher related detergents as they are likely to corrode aluminium. I was planning to wash using a good, concentrated water based degreaser such as these:
http://www.avmor.co.uk/portfolio-item/extra-4x4lit...
http://www.mykal.co.uk/industrial/pages/degreasing...
or even this one:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HEAVY-DUTY-CLEANER-AND-E...
Any recommendations?
The dishwasher would provide the continuous jets of degreaser at 60C or so. Seems like a no-brainer to me, providing I can get a dishwasher at a reasonable price.
First candidate was going to be my stripped down gearbox; bell-housing, casing etc. Closely followd by all the engine components. Pete
Edited by Pete Mac on Wednesday 19th November 03:07
So I thought I would give it a go. In the end I thought I would try it using the kitchen dishwasher (amazingly Mrs M didn't blink an eyelid when I told her). I didn't use a dishwasher tablet as I was concerned on what it would do to aluminium parts, I used an industrial degreaser instead.
To be fair I had already used a parts washer to degrease the diff housing and I blasted it on the outside but nevertheless it did a good job of final degreasing inside and out.
I then powder coated it with a silver metallic powder.
Unfortunately, although I put the diff housing in the oven as it warmed up to dry it, nevertheless I got some small blisters on the powder coating, due, I presume to some water being absorbed into the housing. I may have to blast the powder coating off and do it again. In conclusion, a good method of degreasing but make sure the part is fully dried before powder coating. Pete
To be fair I had already used a parts washer to degrease the diff housing and I blasted it on the outside but nevertheless it did a good job of final degreasing inside and out.
I then powder coated it with a silver metallic powder.
Unfortunately, although I put the diff housing in the oven as it warmed up to dry it, nevertheless I got some small blisters on the powder coating, due, I presume to some water being absorbed into the housing. I may have to blast the powder coating off and do it again. In conclusion, a good method of degreasing but make sure the part is fully dried before powder coating. Pete
Edited by Pete Mac on Thursday 18th December 16:24
To be fair I had already used a parts washer and then blasted the outside. I wanted to use the dishwasher to remove any oily sheen and blasting dust remaining before powder coating. My mistake was underestimating how much water the aluminium housing must have absorbed, hence the pinprick bubbles in the powder coating. Pete
cindydog3 said:
Pete. I may be missing something here but did you do your own powdercoating?
If so how and do you have a cheaper method for doing this rather than having to leave it in to a specialist?
Hi John, yes I do my own powder coating. I bought a 900mm oven on fleabay for £6.98. The grill didn't work but there again I didn't need a grill. I bought a powder coating gun from Frost and I'm away. Powder I am buying from various sources for about £15/kilo but a kilo of powder goes a long way. It's great and I'm still practicing but it is not rocket science. I blast, degrease using something like acetone, spray the powder and then cook the part for 10 minutes at 180C.If so how and do you have a cheaper method for doing this rather than having to leave it in to a specialist?
As long as it fits in the oven then it's good to powder coat. I'm still learning the pitfalls such as the water pin bubbles on the diff housing. Pete
cindydog3 said:
Hi Pete. Wow! You have got me thinking along the same lines now, although at mo don't have air. Finish looks incredible.
Always enjoy you posts as very realistic and informative, with some help from others.
Keep it coming.
Thanks, it's a great hobby. I do look at some of the posts though and realise how much more knowledge others have. That Wildcat motor in a bespoke chassis, I can only imagine the work that has gone into that. PeteAlways enjoy you posts as very realistic and informative, with some help from others.
Keep it coming.
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