Parts cleaner fluid

[Munch92]

Sorry not sure what section this thread belongs in.

What fluid is suggested for a parts cleaner? Being used weekly to clean crank cases, carburettors ect. I have googled a fair bit and read the usual diesel/parafin suggestions but wondering if that is still the best option? Ideally I would like to use something like gunk but considering the tank takes 50 - 90L of fluid it's far too expensive.

[alabbasi]

Kerosene is a good cleaner but smells a bit. Or you can use simple green or some other citric cleaner. Careful though as some of the citric cleaners can damage aluminum.

[normalbloke]

I've only ever used methylated spirit for cleaning and degreasing. It's cheap, and doesn't leave any residue so can be used for cleaning paintwork prior to spraying or graphic installation.

[Evoluzione]

We get ours here: https://rd-products.co.uk/automotive-products.html

I *think* it's about 50 - £60 for 25L.
Don't bother with all this DIY st, it needs to be environmentally safe & water soluble.

I don't see how it can be too expensive, it's not like it's one use only, it'll last for months or years if in a parts washer.

[Munch92]

Evoluzione said:

We get ours here: https://rd-products.co.uk/automotive-products.html

I *think* it's about 50 - £60 for 25L.
Don't bother with all this DIY st, it needs to be environmentally safe & water soluble.

I don't see how it can be too expensive, it's not like it's one use only, it'll last for months or years if in a parts washer.

Is it the engine degreaser you have off them?

[Evoluzione]

Munch92 said:

Evoluzione said:

We get ours here: https://rd-products.co.uk/automotive-products.html

I *think* it's about 50 - £60 for 25L.
Don't bother with all this DIY st, it needs to be environmentally safe & water soluble.

I don't see how it can be too expensive, it's not like it's one use only, it'll last for months or years if in a parts washer.

Is it the engine degreaser you have off them?

Probably, I just rang them up, explained what it was for and bought what they suggested.

[Mignon]

For general cleaning paraffin or 28 second home heating oil which is the same do just fine. I ran a professional race engine building business using those for 20 years without feeling any need to spend out on fancy stuff with perfume in it.

[dhutch]

Mignon said:

For general cleaning paraffin or 28 second home heating oil which is the same do just fine. I ran a professional race engine building business using those for 20 years without feeling any need to spend out on fancy stuff with perfume in it.

Is that for spray on use once purposes, or for a parts washer?

[Evoluzione]

dhutch said:

Mignon said:

For general cleaning paraffin or 28 second home heating oil which is the same do just fine. I ran a professional race engine building business using those for 20 years without feeling any need to spend out on fancy stuff with perfume in it.

Is that for spray on use once purposes, or for a parts washer?

Neither, it's unprofessional, outdated and pointless when you can buy the correct stuff for the job.
In recent years we have realised it's a good idea to use a water soluble cleaner as the advantages are quite clear:
The parts can be washed afterwards in water to get them clean, really clean, as clean as clean water.
The parts cleaner fluid (being water soluble) can be dealt with in the appropriate manner.
The only arguments against using it are flimsy at best:
I'm a tightwad
I don't care about the environment.
I don't need my parts to be really clean.

Tell me a good reason to use paraffin or similar, because I don't see one.

[dhutch]

Yeah, I mean that was my question really.

We've all washed stuff off in diesel, or even petrol, but by the time you have a parts washer... ...if nothing else I'm not sure I would want 50 litres paraffin in my workshop.

What does the parts washer company recommend? I would want to make sure whatever inwas using wouldn't eat the pump.


Daniel

[silentbrown]

This?

https://www.screwfix.com/p/no-nonsense-heavy-duty-...