Part washer solvent

I picked up a new parts washer and now need solvent. I remember back when you could use "real" solvent. The old man had a 30 gal washer that was full of the good stuff. Now I'm trying to find the same stuff but it is SPENDY! What else can I use that works just as good as the old time solvent? I went the diesel mixed with karosene route but my hands could not take it. (I am very delicate)I know Napa sells solvent but I think they want like $60 a gallon for it.

Post edited by: donthekawguy, at: 2008/01/07 08:57

I bought a case of mineral spirits at Home Depot. Can't remember the cost but it wasn't much. I chose mineral spirits for its low cost and low flash point.:ohmy:
Of course it is hard on the hands too, but I just don:woohoo: some heavy rubber gloves.
Back in the day when I worked at a bike shop our parts washer was Saftey-Kleen. If I remember correctly though the stuff you buy nowadays is nearly as good as it was 30 years ago.

Post edited by: inline4, at: 2008/01/07 09:02

Go to WalMart, paint store, Lowes, Home Depot, etc, and buy some mineral spirits (enamel paint thinner). That's what Crystal Kleen uses when they drain, clean and refill, my parts washer at work (for $70), and he was nice enough to leave me a five gallon bucket of the stuff to use in my parts washer at home

Use Nitrile gloves to protect your hands from nasty stuff, they are cheap and I use them extensively at work (Diesel truck mechanic at the moment).

Post edited by: steell, at: 2008/01/07 09:07

This could be an urban myth but a Safety Kleen man a few years ago told me to add about a quart of auto trans fluid (dextron, etc) to the parts washer and it would be much easier on the hands. Personally it doesn't bother my hands, but thinking about you "softies" out there.

You can get WD-40 by the gallon at Lowes/Home Depot for around $14 per gallon. I've used it as a parts washer solvent with decent results; it doesn't work as well as the real stuff though.