Parts washing liquid

[MichaelHoyle]

Hello everyone.
I would be interested to know what liquid you use in your parts washing tanks.
For many years I used a petroleum based liquid which was effective and long lasting. Solid particles sank to the bottom leaving the remaining liquid usable. The solids could be scraped then washed off the bottom each time the liquid was renewed, and it contained a preservative to reduce rusting of parts. I used this in my generic parts washing tank for years although I see that my new new tank is not guaranteed unless used with water based liquids, presumably because plastic pump parts are now made using material which can deteriorate in petroleum products.
This liquid appears to be unobtainable now, perhaps for ecological reasons, so I tried paraffin, which did not work as well, then a water based product. I found that this was not as effective as the petroleum based product unless used very strong, in which case it attacked aluminium parts if left for long, which I like to do to avoid excessive brushing work. (And I sometimes forget that I have left parts in the tank). However, the worst thing is that a scum rises to the surface which is virtually impossible to skim off. This scum is unpleasant and is presumably deposited on and in whatever I clean. Maybe it is also unhealthy? Then I have to take parts outside afterwards, whatever the weather, to thoroughly hose them down which presumably leaves iron or steel parts perfectly prepared to rust, and I get wet.
So what should I use? Any suggestions appreciated.
Michael

[PJGD]

I use what we used at work in our fuel injection remanufacturing facility:

Brulin 815 GD-NF http://bhcinc.com/product/formula-815-gd-nf

When mixed with water it is an excellent cleaner, and as I recall it left a thin coat of lanolin on the parts to inhibit corrosion. You will note that it has broad approvals within the industry for effectiveness and environmental acceptability. The Brulin AquaVantage 815 QR-NF is a similar product. It is available in 5 [US] gallon pails, with outlets around the world.

Philip

[Forumadmin]

In the UK £288 for 25 litre which is why I use diesel, and wear gloves and breathing mask.

[MichaelHoyle]

Thanks Philip and Keith. I looked up the details of the Aquavantage product and agree with Keith that the price looks high for occasional home use, but at their (sort of reccomended) dilution of 9:1 it doesn't look so bad. However the initial outlay is still a bit daunting. Don't know if I will still be driving until it is used up! Philip - can you please confirm the dilution you use for badly soiled parts and that you don't get a scum on top after it stands for some time? I sometimes have long gaps between uses and can't afford to refill after every couple of jobs.
I have a bowl of diesel which I am using whilst I decide what to use to refill my tank but am worried about Sealey's insistance about the tank guarantee being only valid for aqueous solutions. I did ring them to confirm this but I guess I just got someone who read the same spec as I have, no technical reasoning. I only bought a new tank, which strangely has a fire detector to close the lid, because the pump in my 20 year old one failed and the motor assy was sealed and a replacement unobtainable. Having assembled it, it appears that the current pump would have fitted without much trouble - such is life. I would not like to immediately destroy the new pump if they now use a different plastic for their impellors or motor seals. Keith - is your tank a Sealey or one of its far eastern twins, or a more industrial job? How old? Also, we have nowhere for the disposal of dirty diesel and our local recycling place will not accept it.
The cleaning of parts is the bit of this hobby which I like less and less and less as time goes by so I do need to decide on something. Never thought a cleaning tank would be such a puzzle.
Mike

[PJGD]

I can't say that in my use I was very careful about measuring out the dilution ratio, although I think that at work they did dilute per the instructions. It works best if it is warm (think an electric immersion heater element or similar). It does not leave a scum, but eventually the water evaporates which either needs topping up, or allowed to evaporate completely just leaving the dried dirt/oil/grease that can be scraped up, bagged, and thrown away. I agree it is an expensive outlay that could benefit from a cooperative arrangement in some manner.

As for a pump when using kerosine or similar, how about getting a fuel pump from a breakers yard, especially from a diesel car?

Philip

[Forumadmin]

https://cjautosheywood.co.uk/product/la ... sher-pwl1/
about 10 years ago

note they also have
https://cjautosheywood.co.uk/product/5l ... luid-pwf5/

[MichaelHoyle]

My tank looks identical to yours, Keith, but I'm still wondering whether they are now using a different plastic for the pump due to their insistence on the use of aqueous solutions in their guarantee. I would like to use the tank as it is, having recently bought it and given away the old one due to lack of space, but I guess that if I try it on diesel and the pump fails I could follow Philips idea and get a pump from a car.
Does no-one else use a wash tank or have a favourite liquid?
Mike

[Forumadmin]

Just order the liquid in the link in my previous post and save yourself the worry! It is probably cheaper than the diesel.

[MichaelHoyle]

Unfortunately the liquid in your link is more than twice the price of diesel and also out of stock at present. I think it is a bit cheaper in bigger drums but I also think it will have the disadvantages which I mentioned of other warer based liquids which seem to be more suited to industrial washhers which have heaters, pressure sprays and sludge removers to keep it fresher.
I will chose between diesel and kerosene and I think diesel will win as I usually finish off with a pressure spray of diesel to remove any hidden particles.
I will take my chance with the pump.
Mike

[MichaelHoyle]

Following further investigation into the use of diesel for parts washing I find that it could give health problems in addition to the well known dermatitus from petroleum derived liquids. I always use gloves but sometimes find that a glove has split and my hands are wet. However, it seems especially harmful if small droplets of diesel are inhaled, as from a spray, so I will stop using pressure spraying with diesel as a final step in cleaning parts. Practically, this had always seemed a good idea for tubes, oil drillings and awkward shapes. I tried to be fairly careful and always in the open air but I don't like using a full face rubber respirator. Sue didn't like the smell when I came into the house, which I hardly noticed, so I may have been getting more than was good for me.
Mike

[Forumadmin]

I think a paper or Covid mask is reasonable protection against the diesel droplets, although that is not a scientific assessment! I use a oil resistent (neoprene I think) thin glove inside a cotton protective glove. The cotton gets wet but can be washed.