Best solvent for parts washer

Mac

Mac

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I'm buying a tank and pump style parts washer.  What are you all using or suggest for solvent?  This will be in my garage and I'd like to keep the fumes down.

Also, on recommendation of solvent, where would you buy 5 gallons of it.

 
Anything petroleum based will have fumes or an odor.  We use mineral spirits.  Basically the new solvent.  Your welcome to some.  We buy it by the drum.  Something to consider is what to do with the old solvent. 

 
in Nevada you can still purchase Solvent from the Rebel station on Sahara, they sell it at the pump, but you can purchase a barrel, kerosine will be the closest to real solvent or some places sell Kerosine as solvent,   

 
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@MacI have two solvent tank/pump set ups if you haven't already bought one. One if a full size from a standard auto shop and the other is a brand new compact unit on a rolling stand. I'll be in Havasu for Memorial Day week and can deliver. Let me know and I'll dig them out and get some pics and measurements. 

Mineral spirits is really good. But I use old gasoline/diesel for CV's.

 
Mac said:
Pfft...pour it in a bucket and let it evaporate outside...throw away the bucket... :lol:
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I've seen some guys rig up an external oil filter adapter to use a spin-on filter in line between the pump and the nozzle.  Should let you use the fluid for a long time, and just replenish what evaporates.  

 
Another vote for Mineral Spirits.

The Mineral Spirits you could by before all the low VOC laws went in to effect worked killer. 

Don't get the odorless Mineral spirits 

 
endobear said:
Another vote for Mineral Spirits.

The Mineral Spirits you could by before all the low VOC laws went in to effect worked killer. 

Don't get the odorless Mineral spirits 
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Stoddard solvent!!!

 
Dave In Florida said:
I've seen some guys rig up an external oil filter adapter to use a spin-on filter in line between the pump and the nozzle.  Should let you use the fluid for a long time, and just replenish what evaporates.  
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Did this years ago with the HF washer and setup a metal bucket below to hold the solvent vs in the tub itself. Still on my original 5 gal although I don't use it as often as I used to.  Tractor Supply carries a 5gal jug of solvent just for this purpose too. 

 
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When I was racing we had two solvent tanks in the shop, one for 'dirty' parts one for 'clean' parts. We used mineral spirts until CA outlawed the good stuff and whenever we were in AZ or NV we'd  buy two 5 gallon pails. So dumb. Can't tell you how many generators I've 'smuggled'into CA for friends/clients in the past 2 years.

 
i bought this one, https://www.amazon.com/OzzyJuice-Cleaning-Solution-SmartWasher-Systems/dp/B01AP9UV1S/ref=asc_df_B01AP9UV1S/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312202698398&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=18400648562024339670&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9026282&hvtargid=pla-569124208319&psc=1

and this https://www.jbtools.com/crc-industries-14740-sw-423-mobile-parts-washer-kit-1-kit/?wi=off&gclid=CjwKCAjw9pGjBhB-EiwAa5jl3D5tVt6AJZ2JDzc44sXGifqb6mDrInguZQ3PIyoj5tWGWkZmKdxgsBoCuQ4QAvD_BwE

i didn't buy it new, but used. the chemical is expensive (just found it on sale at napa for 100.00 per 5 gallons) and it takes 3-4 of the 5 gallon buckets. it is a heated machine and I've yet to find anything better, it literally cleans anything i've put in it, but it does evaporate. doesn't eat up my hands either

 
I just gave up on my Hot water / soap parts cleaner  - they just don't get the job done> Going back to my traditional parts washer 

I read everything but not clear on my CA choices 

I know you cannot buy Mineral spirits in CA anymore because I have to use this $80 a gallon  "test fluid" for my injector tester.  the odorless stuff is useless

So Mineral spirits are off the table unless I decide to drive to AZ one of these weekends  - right?

I have a small washer I just use for CV's and that has Diesel in it  which is find for CV grease  but then I was always using the hot water bath afterward 

So what is the Best solvent a CA resident can actually buy and use ?

And if I go to AZ is it still Home depot for Mineral spirits? (Stoddard Solvent)

I have still not found a substitute for the denatured alcohol I used all the time for so many projects  - thats another issue, and I was told Lacquer thinner is going away in CA in 2024.  Is acetone next?  There will be literally no way to paint cars in CA soon

 
Dave In Florida said:
I've seen some guys rig up an external oil filter adapter to use a spin-on filter in line between the pump and the nozzle.  Should let you use the fluid for a long time, and just replenish what evaporates.  
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My setup has this exact thing - In the past when I used it (going back to it  if I can buy any real solvent)  - they recommended we use either a "gas" filter  or a "racing oil filter" because most Oil Filters filter down too much and put too much back pressure on the pump - racing filters are way less restrictive, I just put the date on the filter and swapped it every 6 months

 
Fullthrottleguy said:
My setup has this exact thing - In the past when I used it (going back to it  if I can buy any real solvent)  - they recommended we use either a "gas" filter  or a "racing oil filter" because most Oil Filters filter down too much and put too much back pressure on the pump - racing filters are way less restrictive, I just put the date on the filter and swapped it every 6 months
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I've been using a fuel filter from Napa on a generic mount - pumps just fine for what the little HF pump can put out. Changed it once or twice in the handful of years I've had it, although it doesn't get used too much. 

 
I use 50/50 simple green and water in my ultrasonic and it works killer

 
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