Grabbed a parts washer and wondering what is a good material to use. I have heard mixed review about water-based materials. Solvent based seems better. I have also heard guys using diesel fuel...I do not want to smell that crap all the time.

this is in a 2 car garage, no water heater but the propane heater will come out soon.

 

Any solvent is going to stink, badly..
Solvent based cleaners tend to work really well. Think carb cleaner..

 

just buy a couple gallons of parts washer solvent from the local parts store, usually come in a metal gallon container; that's what I did when I use to have my parts washing bin

hell you can use a lot of stuff.. diesel, pure gasoline, whatever cleans, but I'd just assume use stuff that's meant to clean parts

 

mineral spirits

 

thats exactly what i was going to get but thought i would see if anyone had better thoughts.

 

Kaboom!
























I'm sorry... was that wrong of me?

 

 

my stuff is dirtier than that tub though

 

yeah, but Kaboom cleans anything... right before your eyes!











don't forget to grabs some ShamWow's to dry all the parts off with

 

you can re-use thec solvents, too, btw.

 

what are thec solvents. I have never heard that? Can you explain?

 

I've used keroseen but then again thats the same as diesel fuel. well almost.

 

deodorized mineral spirits works well,but just as expensive as solvent. parts solvent has a higher flash point for safety.

 

I run a mix of Stoddard solvent and Gunk concentrate in mine, never have changed it in 20 years of use, just top off with new solvent and concentrate as needed. Almost no smell with the top closed. The Gunk in there lets you rinse the cleaned parts in water if you want, it is like a detergent.

 

Does your parts washer have a cover? If so the smell should not be noticeable, although I would not keep it near any open flames (you said something about a heater).

 

Where are these products sold? I have also just became the owner of a parts washer.

Thanks
Harry