[Shop-talk] alternative fluids for parts washers

[Doug Braun]

If you have ferrous parts and you don't care about any paint on them, nothing beats Easy-Off extra-strong original formula oven cleaner, in the yellow spray can!

The chassis and drivetrain of my '31 Ford was coated with a 75-year accumulation of dust, dirt, oil, and grease that had hardened into a form of armor plate.  I would leave parts soaking in a parts cleaner full of Gunk and kerosene for WEEKS, and it would have NO effect.

They I tried spraying on the Easy-Off, and after a few hours, the crud simply rinsed off.  The only downside is that it will dissolve paint (and aluminum) for sure.

Doug

--- On Fri, 4/16/10, Richard Kleihorst <richard at kleihorst.com> wrote:

> From: Richard Kleihorst <richard at kleihorst.com>
> Subject: [Shop-talk] alternative fluids for parts washers
> To: shop-talk at autox.team.net
> Date: Friday, April 16, 2010, 3:39 AM
> Hi,
>  
> I have a 45L parts washer and considering what fluid to
> use. Usually kerosine,
> diesel or petroleum based derivatives are used, but I have
> some health
> considerations because of the nasty chemicals inside.
> Especially the aromats,
> benzenes and olefinen are no use for cleaning, but unsafe
> to breathe.
>  
> Does anyone have any experience with other cleaning agents,
> such as liquid
> soap, vinegar, cleaning soda?
> I tried to use the dishwasher (they clean with lye) but it
> might take 4 runs
> to do something decent for engine parts, and you have to
> make sure that the SO
> doesn't catch you.