anything better than Simple Green for a parts cleaner?

[jlee]

The instruction manual says to use water-based non-corrosive stuff. I bought a bottle of purple power earlier and it's corrosive..so I guess I won't be using that. Is there anything better than Simple Green? Also, should I run it straight or mix it with water? It's a little 3.5gal parts cleaner...I got sick of spraying carb cleaner on all my bolts.

 

[exdeath]

Kerosene.

 

[jlee]

It's this one - if kerosene is safe, I might just pick up 3 gallons of that. It's cheap enough.

 

[Ronstang]

Simple Green is expensive and I prefer Purple Power. Why are you concerned about PP being slightly corrosive. It cleans better than anything else at the price. The fact that it is corrosive (acidic) is actually a plus since it is good for cleaning up slight surface rust. Just flush well with water, like you should with any cleaner, and you will have no problems. I have been working on and restoring cars for over thirty years and PP is the best cleaner I have found and have been using it with no issues for 20 years back when all you could get was the Castrol Super Clean....the expensive non-generic original version.

 

[jlee]

Simple Green is expensive and I prefer Purple Power. Why are you concerned about PP being slightly corrosive. It cleans better than anything else at the price. The fact that it is corrosive (acidic) is actually a plus since it is good for cleaning up slight surface rust. Just flush well with water, like you should with any cleaner, and you will have no problems. I have been working on and restoring cars for over thirty years and PP is the best cleaner I have found and have been using it with no issues for 20 years back when all you could get was the Castrol Super Clean....the expensive non-generic original version.

The instruction manual for the cleaner says to use non-corrosive cleaner. If it's not going to strip the paint out of the thing or kill the pump, I'll run it..just want to make sure it's not going to kill anything it's not supposed to. Do you drain it from the cleaner back into the bottle and flush the cleaner basin out when you're done? I think my uncle used to use mineral spirits in his, and he never emptied it.

 

[Ronstang]

I'm sorry. I misunderstood your original post. I did not realize when you said "parts cleaner" you meant the tub type with a pump. I thought you were just asking about what is a good parts cleaner, as in solution. Yes, you are right that PP would not be good in this application. Kerosene is good but flammable and can be dangerous. Check the local tool place like Harbor Freight or Northern Tool as they will have the solution you are looking for in 5 gallon buckets. Be forewarned that this stuff is MURDER on your hands and skin so get some good chemical resistant rubber gloves.

For the really dirty stuff you want to pre-clean use the PP in the driveway.

 

[Vic Vega]

http://www.meangreencleaner.net/

Use this stuff on everything from carpets to guns to car parts. Good stuff.

Around here it's sold in discount stores and "dollar" stores.

 

[Bartman39]

Kerosene.

:thumbsup:

Or just use Varasol...? Your going to use gloves anyhow even with the water based whimpy crap so why not...?