Solvent

[Paul Rochdale]

I've recently bought a Wolf Parts Cleaner -

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wolf-Gallon-Bench-Parts-Washer/dp/B004CYXA0C

- so went along to Machine Mart and bought some Clarkes Concentrated Solvent. This stuff will work even when diluted with water up to between 200:1 and neat, but used it as 3:1 strength. Today I've tried washing the bearings and hubs on my box trailer and it's really rubbish. The old grease resembled marmalade and the solvent soaked brush just pushed the stuff around. I got the things clean by using more rags.

So my question. What's the best solvent to use with this cleaner? I remember Trike from the Army but I think that's since been banned. Gunk?

 

[JASONBC]

I've recently bought a Wolf Parts Cleaner -

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wolf-Gallon-Bench-Parts-Washer/dp/B004CYXA0C

- so went along to Machine Mart and bought some Clarkes Concentrated Solvent. This stuff will work even when diluted with water up to between 200:1 and neat, but used it as 3:1 strength. Today I've tried washing the bearings and hubs on my box trailer and it's really rubbish. The old grease resembled marmalade and the solvent soaked brush just pushed the stuff around. I got the things clean by using more rags.

So my question. What's the best solvent to use with this cleaner? I remember Trike from the Army but I think that's since been banned. Gunk?

At work we've gone over to something similar, the parts washer has to be heated for it too work and the guys that supply it say it's crap but environmentally friendly as it based on washing up liquid. Can't beat parafin for parts cleaning at £5 a gallon far cheaper than gunk or jizer at £20-25 a gallon

 

[ianboydsnr]

Eurocar parts do a solvent cleaner in 25 ltr drums, like gunk only cheaper, works ok, they actualy sell a 5 ltr tin of engine degreaser, which is the same stuff, we use it in the parts washer, then scoop some out to use on engines, before pressure washing, then top the parts washer up with fresh!

 

[Cook1e]

+1 for paraffin

Sadly, most "eco-friendly" things don't work:
water-based paint, glue etc. all crap.

 

[Paul Rochdale]

I think you are right. The Clarkes stuff is really a sort of Fairy Liquid and doesn't work at all well. Paraffin is inflammable but I've heard you can mix it 50-50 with water and it still works well. Cheap Turps might be even better. I wonder what the difference is twixt Turps and Paraffin?

 

[(RIP) Tunneruk]

Let Jizer be your friend. It's not the cheapest but by jingo it smells lovely!

 

[Cook1e]

Paraffin is inflammable but I've heard you can mix it 50-50 with water and it still works well. Cheap Turps might be even better. I wonder what the difference is twixt Turps and Paraffin?

Paraffin and water don't mix. Paraffin is inflammable, but it won't catch fire unless it has a "wick" (e.g. rag in the cleaning tank) or unless you get it nice and warm.

"turps" is white spirit, which is less flammable than paraffin, but not as good a grease solvent.

Jizer used to be good, not sure what's in it now though - it will have been "reformulated" to be more eco-friendly. There's also some crap based on orange juice which also doesn't work, but it smells nice.