parts washer

i currently have a cheapo parts washer that can only use water based cleaners.  since my shed is unheated, i have to drain it for the winter.  i found a reasonably priced safety-kleen solvent cleaner for sale today, but haven't bought it yet....i've got a few questions..

IF you want to go to full solvent, either go buy a new $99.00 harbor freight washer, or a parts store brand, this is the only thing that 25 years ago my dad bought from them that we still have.  Look on Craigslist, there are typically many on there for around $50.00.  Then go striaght solvent won't freeze, and wil get the greese off.  As for what to pay for solvent, I can't tell you, but those washers take 20 gallons.  The nicer or bigger the washer the more solvent they take typically.

If you go through Summit Racing you can get a good 10 or 20 gallon for under $150. Come with lots of other little toold that help get stuff clean to.

I think if you check most (if not all) these 20 gallon units, the pump is not intended for other than water base solvent. It may not crap out with a solvent base cleaner, but if it does there's no warranty. I have one and am taking my chances. Harbor Freight has them from time to time on sale in the $80-$90 dollar range.

I just have one of those 3 gallon bench top units. I find that mineral spirits paint solvent works much better than kerosene. Around here it's even cheaper than kerosene. The water based stuff doesn't work. The only time I've seen water based cleaners work is if they're heated and used in what amounts to a large dishwasher.

I also use the mineral spirits in mine. I built mine about 12 years ago using a garage sale electric fuel pump hooked to a battery charger. Recently I got one of those electrical strips with an on/off switch so no more pluging it in everytime. I made a homemade filter on the end of the suction hose using a spray paint can shot with a shot gun and covered with a sock.

Watch the auctions, I picked up a Gray Mills T500 tank ($1750 new) for $3 at an auction.  The only drawback is it takes between 30 and 42 gallons of solvent that I get from the local tractor shop for $6 a gallon.  Stoddard solvent works well too, but does not carry the dirt in suspension as well as the fluid from the tractor shop.  One filling lasts me several years, and the tank has a filter system on it, plus an agitation system that really cleans well.  I've heard soy-diesel works well too, with higher than usual soy percentage.  The higher soy concentration should also raise the flash point to a safe level for most washers too.

Paint thinner as solvent!