Solvent substitutes

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2014: Solvent substitutes
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jared Buckert on Monday, December 08, 2014 - 07:03 pm:

I'm looking for a substitute for parts washer solvent. Where I work it's 57 dollars for a five-gallon can of the stuff, and I'm sure there's something out there that would work just as good if not better. I've heard kerosene would work, and it is much cheaper. Thought I'd open up the discussion and see what you guys are using to clean gunky cruddy parts.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dean Yoder on Monday, December 08, 2014 - 07:21 pm:

I prefer Hot water pressure washer.
After the first spray down I coat with a Caustic cleaner let set several hours then re spray with hot water. Coat with WD40 while still hot.
I do have a parts washer but it doesn't compare to hot water with pressure.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Will Copeland - Trenton, New Jersey on Monday, December 08, 2014 - 07:45 pm:

I use kerosene or #2 fuel oil .


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Hal Davis-SE Georgia on Monday, December 08, 2014 - 07:56 pm:

I used kerosene the first time I filled mine, but it got rancid after a year or two. I've used mineral spirits ever since then. I understand it is hard to find in some places, but I can still get it here. There are supposed to be some good water based solvents, but I don't think they are cheap and I'm not an environmentalist, so I don't think I will use them until I have to.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mack Cole ---- Earth on Monday, December 08, 2014 - 07:58 pm:

I think mineral spirits is about the same as varsol,not sure.Last varsol I bought was 8 bucks a gallon at the local oil company.Still using it but it seems to evaporate if you aint careful.
The dyed kerosene, dont seem to work to well to me..But your mileage may vary.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mark Gregush Portland Oregon on Monday, December 08, 2014 - 08:10 pm:

I tried diesel in mine the first time, it too got rancid after a time. It seems to absorb a lot of moisture in the unheated shop and everything I soaked in it came out gummy. I went to Stoddard (sp) solvent and still after a couple of years seems to still do the job. Some evaporation but parts don't come out gummy after they are soaked in it. While I think Stoddard's will burn it has a low flash point compared to kerosene and the cost is about the same here. (without going one line to compare flash point)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Stan Howe Helena, Montana on Monday, December 08, 2014 - 08:43 pm:

Buy a five gallon bucket of Stoddard Solvent and put it in your parts washer, then put 5 or 6 gallons of water in it. Put some soap in there, too. Dish soap is good. Not much, maybe half a cup. It helps separate the two. The solvent will float on top of the water, the water will act as a "lid" on the dirt so it stays in the bottom of the tank instead of re-circulating through the pump and so helps to keep the solvent clean. It makes it a lot easier to clean the tank, too. The solvent will settle on top of the water in a few hours, you can dip or siphon it off and have clean solvent to reuse. (I actually just pump it all into a couple buckets and let the solvent separate so I can pour it back in the tank when I'm done cleaning the tank and dump out the water and dirt in the bucket.) Then drain the tank, the water and soap will carry the gunk out of the tank and you can dispose of it pretty easily. Clean the tank, put the solvent back, more water, a little soap, there you go. I've been doing this for years, ever since a friend from Calgary told me to do it. It works.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Aaron Griffey, Hayward Ca. on Monday, December 08, 2014 - 08:53 pm:

Stoddard solvent and mineral spirits are the same thing.
Either on is around $10 a gallon.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Kim Dobbins on Monday, December 08, 2014 - 08:56 pm:

Diesel fuel works for me.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Aaron Griffey, Hayward Ca. on Monday, December 08, 2014 - 09:06 pm:

Stoddard solvent and mineral spirits are the same thing.
Either one is around $10 a gallon.
I have not been able to buy stoddard solvent but hardware stores have mineral spirits.
Paint stores here in Taxafornia do not sell mineral spirits or paint thinner.

Stan's system above should save a lot of money, and some time.
I gotta try that concoction.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Val Soupios on Monday, December 08, 2014 - 09:46 pm:

I have had the same kerosene in my parts washer for more than 5 years and it never got rancid. What are you guys washing in those parts cleaners? I do occasionally drain the parts cleaner and remove the sediment then add additional kerosene but at least 90% of the kerosene is the original stuff I started with.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Sean Butler Huntington Beach on Monday, December 08, 2014 - 10:37 pm:

I've used the same kind of setup similar to Stan's for years. I also have a Fram PH8A oil filter inline to keep the solvent nice and clean. Works great. Don't forget the dish soap!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By HARRY A DAW on Monday, December 08, 2014 - 10:53 pm:

I have heard that the EPA is eliminating oil based paints. If so, mineral spirits and paint thinners will become a thing of the past.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jared Buckert on Tuesday, December 09, 2014 - 12:26 am:

I talked to a representative for the Majic company. He taught me a few things.

1. Majic makes the pigments and such for Rustoleum. Rustoleum might add a few things in the solvent side of the equation, depending on which product they're making, but otherwise it's the same paint.

2. Water-borne paint will begin to take the place of bulk paint (quarts and gallons you mix and put in a spray gun) but until they figure out how to make water-borne spray paint in the cans we're going to have oil-based paint for a little while.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tim Wrenn on Tuesday, December 09, 2014 - 08:07 am:

About the only thing I remember from H.S. science class is, good ol' plain water will dissolve just about anything, but the trouble is, it needs LOTS of time! But, it's cheap, easily obtainable, and non-explosive!! :-)


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