Water-Based Parts washers

[Huntington Beach]

After watching one of our volunteers almost blow himself up last night ( why the hell do people think smoking around solvent is a good idea?) I have decided to look into a water based parts washers. Anyone have a recomendation or experience with any of the models and manufactures? This is strictly for car prep not shop use so something inexpensive that gets the job done.

[NicksTrix]

i just switched over to it myself from mineral spirits.
you have pretty much two commercial choices
safety kleen or mirachem

http://ct1w.mirachem.com/topics/products/pwserv/4472/4472-250.htm

i used the mirachem, they farmed it out to a local company. the stuff works, just not as quick as the petro based product. it's good for the enviroment which is nice. pricing is very good compared to the petro based.
some guys will make their own formula using a purple power type product.
the water based cleaners like to be at about 100*, so you either use one of their heated tanks or put a heater in yours. i made my own. i'm quite happy wiht my decision to switch over.
if i recall i cost about 3.75 a gallon, that's alot cheaper than mineral spirits or virgin solvents.

go green~

[djblakely]

Here is one that I use; http://smarterclean.com/default.aspx?action=products.ozzyjuice

Has a plesant smell, rinses clean with water (no more oily residue), best of all safe on your hands.

[Tipracer]

there are also ultrasonic parts cleaners...pricey but super cool, graymills makes them(they also make some great aqueos biodegradable cleaners). There are some really cool cleaners designed with green in mind-
Aquatene 571-Aquatene Biodegradable Alkaline Cleaners for Heated Parts Washers- Mix with water to form a nonflammable detergent-action cleaning solution. Formulated to remove oils, greases, soft carbon, corrosion, oxides, varnishes, machining, and finishing compounds.Formulated for nonferrous metals.Use hot for best results, up to 180 DegreeF. White alkaline powder mixes at 3 to 8 ozs. per gallon of water. 25-lb. carton. $104.35 THIS IS NOT A SALES PITCH just info
But if you take your old parts cleaner w/heater and use any of the orange oil based cleaners it works really well

[djblakely]

I found this after my earlier post. I used this stuff at work and loved it. You can get from your Barnes Dist. salesman.

http://www.chemfree.com/

[stoprez2006]

Where I work we have the same washer as djblakely and it works pretty well. The fluid in it is kept really warm, won't burn you or anything, but if it gets cold it sucks. That is really the only downside to it.

[Steven_Tolbert]

After watching one of our volunteers almost blow himself up last night ( why the hell do people think smoking around solvent is a good idea?) I have decided to look into a water based parts washers. Anyone have a recomendation or experience with any of the models and manufactures? This is strictly for car prep not shop use so something inexpensive that gets the job done.

the only thing better than that is my buddy smoking while helping my uncle and I fill the dump cans with race gas....................yeah

[85yota]

I have used the Smart Washer's in the past and using the SW7 ozzy juice worked great, almost as fast as the solvent cleaners from the past. Plus you can get the new juice if you need it from any NAPA parts store nearby and you can get replacement parts or the whole units from them. check them out, great units.

[sickrick]

Put an air agitator in the tank. Its just a coil of steel tubing with alot of little holes in it. Sink it to the bottom of the tank and hook it up to an air pressure regulator. 10-20 psi is all you need. Just put the parts inside and close the lid.

You do need to keep the water based solvent warm or it doesnt work very well.

Using the waterbased solvent should also greatly reduce your disposal costs.

[pjc]

The Smart Washer deal looks good.

I emailed for a sales rep.

Do they sell or rent these things? I want the SW-23 model.

[85yota]

I just sold one of the SW-25 smartwasher at work(Napa) yesterday to an account who already has 2 in another location. they love them. also the ozzy juice is stocked at all Napa's around here and down in LA and SD

[pjc]

I just sold one of the SW-25 smartwasher at work(Napa) yesterday to an account who already has 2 in another location. they love them. also the ozzy juice is stocked at all Napa's around here and down in LA and SD

What do they go for?

[manicmechanic]

Just got a "renegade" brand washer at work, I have been told when dirty the water can be poured in the sewer. Dont know about cal though.

[manicmechanic]

looks like the water based washers are OK in at least some of cal according to renegade. By the way it works fine compared to the stuff in the solvent washer we had serviced by Safety Clean for $275.00 a whack!!! That solvent was just not as mean as it used to be.

[Huntington Beach]

So anyone work at a Napa or have the cost on the Smart Washer sw-25... I need to get one this week!!!

[djblakely]

I had no luck finding the unit price but here is the NAPA link; http://www.napaonline.com/NOLPPSE/(S(dtl2jxusrgqq5q45nq5v2i55))/Results.aspx?Ntt=smartwasher&Ntk=Keyword&N=0&Nty=1&D=smartwasher&Dn=0&Dk=1&Dp=3

[partybarge_pilot]

I bought some of the Napa stuff for mine, totally not impressed. If you don't have a heated tank, don't even bother. I think it was in the 70$ range for 5 gallons.

[djblakely]

I bought some of the Napa stuff for mine, totally not impressed. If you don't have a heated tank, don't even bother. I think it was in the 70$ range for 5 gallons.

Very true, heat is the secret to this chemical working. There is also a few different formulas for you to choose from. I have tried the SW1 and SW7, both worked extremely well, "HEATED". I love the fact it rinses clean with water, no residue when I go to weld on the parts.

[C. Bucher]

i just switched over to it myself from mineral spirits.
you have pretty much two commercial choices
safety kleen or mirachem

http://ct1w.mirachem.com/topics/products/pwserv/4472/4472-250.htm

i some guys will make their own formula using a purple power type product.
the water based cleaners like to be at about 100*,
go green~

I am no expert regarding any of the solvents, cleaners, etc. mentioned on this page but I do have nothing but great things to say about the Purple Power product.

I was dreading having to prep my 1600 car as it had come into contact with some heavy mud at New Years which had dried (caked) on the car.

I found the stuff (Purple Power) on accident. My mom used it to clean the grease/oil spots in the garage of the house she bought. Long story short, I found it, felt the greasy type residue it left on my fingers and thought it would be a good cleaner for the car. IT'S AWESOME STUFF!

I went down and bought a spray bottle and some stiff bristle brushes. I sprayed it all over the mud, grease, oil, etc and let it set for a few minutes. I litterally rubbed the brushes over the tops of the areas to knock the stuff loose and then used the air compressor to the blow the stuff off. Leaves a nice residue and DOES NOT rust any of the tubing....

I'll swear by this stuff. I just wish I could afford to run it through the pressure washer. This stuff flat gets it!

[jcarius]

Not sure where you're located, but I've got a smartwasher for sale up here in Auburn, CA ... PM me for details if your interested ...

Thanks,

Jim