Cleaning Parts

51hornet · Posted: Sun Sep 25, 2005 12:24 pm Post subject: Cleaning Parts

Folks,

I am looking for a better way to clean parts. Right now I have a bench top tupperware that I put carb parts in and green cleaner. Its a parts cleaner that is enviro and "me" friendly. Takes a while to clean the parts; about 1 week. Not that I am in a hurry. I also have a tall bin with lid that I fill with same stuff and leave for a week to clean larger parts.

Anyone have any part cleaning tips that do not include using noxious cleaners. I am thinking of putting some bucks into a benchtop sonic part cleaner. Its uses soapy water and sonic waves to clean the parts. Saw one on Leno's garage special and then read about it in his column in Pop mechanics. he gave links to site. Went there and I can get a bench top for a pretty good price. Considering how many parts I have to clean rebuilding the two 308's I am working on it may be a good investment. Saw a demo on Leno and this gizmo cleans parts like new. Amazing stuff.

I grew up in a garage. We had a fifty gallon drum cut in half and welded to a stand we made and that was filled with varsol and I would clean parts all day in that I remember how it used to take weeks for my hands to clean up. Never thought a thing about it but of course the stuff is poison. Don't want to do that anymore. Plus don't want that type of flammables in my garage anymore.

I like rebuilding Hudsons so I see any tools I get as an investment in making my life easier while fixing these cars.

Anyone else got some tricks to cleaning parts safely.

tristansdaz · Posted: Sun Sep 25, 2005 8:36 pm Post subject: Re: Cleaning Parts

I use a parts cleaner machine that I got from Harbor Freight for $99. There is a bio-degradable soap solution that is pumped through a nozzle with a brush. It doesn't work as good as the Saftey-Kleen commercial ones but I don't have to deal with the haz mat stuff.

51hornet · Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2005 10:05 am Post subject: Re: Cleaning Parts

How do those things work? are they effective. I saw them at the store here. Ended up just getting a tall container with lid and used that. Can submerge the parts.

RogerBabb · Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2005 9:25 am Post subject: Re: Cleaning Parts

The question about using Varsol in the garage for parts cleaning.
Varsol is petroleum based light oil and will evaporate and leave no residue and is about the safest and best product to use(your spray bomb paints with a propane propellant poses a much greater risk).
I have a problem using any water based product that may cause rust and a chemical reaction with metal.
Varsol will leach the natural oils from your hands causing dry skin, so using rubber gloves will help but Mechanics using Varsol parts washers over come this problem by adding Automatic transmission fluid (is a hydraulic oil that has no additives) to the Varsol.
We would use Varsol to find cracks in metal that the eye couldn't see by washing the part in clean Varsol then drying with a cloth then under a strong light a crack could show up as a wet spot. This is great for brake drums and the Varsol does evaporate completely (any oily residue on brake drums is dangerous)

tristansdaz · Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2005 4:32 pm Post subject: Re: Cleaning Parts

The parts washer I have just uses a little pump which routes it through a flexible metal hose with a tip on it for brushes. I've never had any issues with the water based solvent and being biodegradeable in the states is a lot easier that not.

I've never heard of Varsol, it must be a Canadian product. Sounds like a pretty strong solvent. Saftey Kleen solvent is pretty close but more oily, probably like adding the ATF to Varsol.