Date: Mon, 8 Sep 2008 14:55:55 -0700
Reply-To: Jeff <vw.doka@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Jeff <vw.doka@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Parts Cleaner Recommendations
In-Reply-To: <7BBF1A5C1C30430CABD6AD3726CBAB26@mike2d93581d7f>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Mike,
Mineral Spirits, gas, etc., just can't do the job of a true parts cleaning
solvent. I've been doing this for 30+ years and true solvent with a good
brush is the best I've seen.
Now... this doesn't include hot tanks, chem dips, and other high-end
cleaning machines like the machine shops have. Most of the really good
cleaning methods have been outlawed for years. I used to take my engine
cases and heads to my local machine shop for a nice chemical bath for
cleaning. Now that was clean! But you had to be careful what you put in
there because it would disappear if left in too long.
For small parts, the best method I have for cleaning is a 7 gallon bucket of
cleaning solution with a basket that is attached to an agitator (kind of
like BenT, but air powered). 30 minutes of squishing and everything comes
out nice and shiny.
Cheers,
Jeff
-----Original Message-----
From: Mike [mailto:mbucchino@charter.net]
Sent: Monday, September 08, 2008 1:36 PM
To: Jeff; vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Re: Parts Cleaner Recommendations
I buy Mineral Spirits by the gallon at paint stores. It's cheap and it
works as well as the safety solvent, and is safer than gasoline.
I haven't tried the earth-safe' orange or purple stuff yet.
YMMV,
Mike B.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jeff" <vw.doka@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, September 07, 2008 7:13 PM
Subject: Re: Parts Cleaner Recommendations
> Tim,
>
> When it comes to parts cleaners, you'll pretty much get what you paid for.
> In my opinion, traditional solvent is still the best when it comes
> cleaning
> parts. Unfortunately, traditional solvent has been prohibited here in
> Sacramento due to air quality issues. As a replacement, we are using
> synthetic solvent which works well enough but is very expensive at
> $27/gallon.
>
> If you do decide to go with a water-based solution, try to find one that
> heats the solution. The difference in cleaning quality is like night and
> day.
>
> Good Luck,
>
> Jeff
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> Tim Marciniak
> Sent: Sunday, September 07, 2008 3:35 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Parts Cleaner Recommendations
>
> Anyone have a suggestion on parts cleaners and which solvent to use?
> So far I have looked at two--the 3.5 gallon table top and 20 gallon
> sink type both sold at Northern Hydraulics (NH). There are a few
> other companies selling very similar products. These are not heavy
> duty type shop units. Price is in the $50 to $100 range. Lots of
> negative comments from owners of these things that pumps burnout,
> switches fail, and hoses leak after just a short time of ownership.
> I have read in other forums that the Monster solvent that NH sell is
> ineffective and itself requires aeration so it does not spoil. It
> does not seem like these cabinets are made for the traditional type
> of solvent like kerosene or mineral spirits either. My garage is
> attached to my house so I am leaning toward using a waterbased
> cleaner anyways.
>
> What are you all doing for cleaning parts anyways? I use naptha,
> mineral spirits, or kerosene and a bucket and its always a mess.
>
> Tim
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