Parts Washers

[Kevin Poole]

I intend to set up a parts washer to deal with assorted filthy car bits.

Any tips from those who have bought, made, or used one?

In particular, there seem to be several approaches in regard to the solvent: paraffin; Jizer or equivalent; water soluble dilute-to-taste potions. Trike doesn't seem to be favoured these days. Which approach do you folk recommend?

[Owain]

Miele ;-)

Owain

[Grimly Curmudgeon]

We were somewhere around Barstow, on the edge of the desert, when the drugs began to take hold. I remember Kevin Poole saying something like:

If there's a biodiesel supplier near you, give that a try - it works quite well. You can also use it as a weedkiller.

[AlanD]

I have one of the machinemart models

which I've had for years now. I've only used their dilute-to-taste stuff in it, so can't comment on other types. Pretty effective on engine parts, you can direct the pump output into areas of the part being cleaned and work it with a brush, fairly quick to clean. Bottom drain sump-plug style to drain the fluid when it's had it. With the lid closed it doesn't evaporate so it tends to stay in there for years between changes.

[Andy Dingley]

r to deal with assorted filthy car bits.

I've had a Machine Mart for the last few years. Ran it on their own fluid alone, but when the pump failed (case went brittle) they still wouldn't accept that the plastic used is incompatible with being a parts washer. I've had a couple of pumps since, cheap "pond pump" stuff, now an old beer pump with a stainless pump head. If your pump has some suction, a self-priming pump above the waterline allows drainback and avoid problems of solvent & seals together. AFAIR, stands were expensive, so mine is on some Dexion.

Citrus cleaners are good, and don't stink like the old sort.

MM's aren't expensive and they save you the task of making it. If you have either an old stainless sink, or a suitable pump though, then you;re halfway there though.

[Tabby]

I'd be temped to both water based and paraffin in there, when the pump gets going it mixes them and you get the cleaning benefits of both.

NT