Parts cleaning Solution

[zoom]

Just picked up a parts cleaning tub with pump. Wondering what types of solution others have had good luck with? Homemade or boughten.
Thanks
Jay

[Sascha]

I use 2 parts vinegar and 1 part that green liquid that is a degreaser... Works like a charm.
-Sascha

[Goodysnap]

Plain ol' mineral spirits and maybe a fine scotchbrite pad on non delicate surfaces. Simple green works great for non- petroleom based.

[Snakeoil]

I second the mineral spirits. Works great. I have a parts cleaner too, but never tried to fill it up. I use the top tray and plastic dish basin to clean parts. Allows me dump the dirty cleaner into a cannister and let the crud settle to the bottom. I get quite a lot of use from it before I finally send it to the recycler. I use the dirty stuff for really dirty parts to get the majority off. Then using a second basin for clean work I use a clean batch to finish off.

Min spirits evaporates, which is why I did not try to fill the entire parts cleaner. Would probably lose more to evaporation than useage. For bikes, you rarely need a big basin to clean parts. I bought the parts cleaner primarily to keep the garage clean, yet be able to clean parts when needed. With the lid closes it also serves as a place to rest manuals when working.

Save your plastic food containers with snap on lids to keep the min spirits in when not in use. Allows the crud to settle to the bottom and prevents evaporation.

regards,
Rob

[Dana01]

I use a variety of things depending on the amount and thickness of the gunk:

1. "Superclean" purple spray bottle from most auto supply stores
2. A mix of Lacquer Thinner and Acetone with a nice squirt of Gumout carb cleaner (auto stores)
3. Straight Gumout (bye bye healthy cells, hello malignant ones)
4. ... and my most favorite degreaser is ....

... wire wheel on a bench grinder ... Hoo-ya!!

[Snakeoil]

Sorry Dana, not to be argumentative, but the last thing I would recommend to anyone is a wire brush on a bench grinder. More good parts have been ruined cosmetically from using wire wheels on parts. Experienced guys know when it is appropriate, but newbies don't. I wrecked a few things when I was a kid with wire wheels because it was so quick and easy.

So, personally, I would not recommend wire wheels for degreasing parts. You could have a pristine part under the crud, complete with original cad or zinc plating that you will reduce to a typical swap meet part with the wire wheel.

respectfully submitted,
Rob

[Dana01]

Hi Snakeoil,

Well ... that last part was mostly tongue in cheek :) I don't use the wire wheel as a degreaser ... usually. I'll use it on ferrous metals lightly to remove scale but not if the part is visible because I do know that the wheel will pit softer or equally hard metals.

Actually I do like to use it lightly on chrome followed by 0000 steel wool.

That being said, I have used it on Aluminum parts (with a deft, feather touch) if I plan on doing more finish sanding and/or paint, or the part is internal (the hidden part of fork lowers eg.)

Sorry if I mislead anyone. I sometimes post with jest.