FAQ |
Members List |
Social Groups |
Calendar |
Search |
Today's Posts |
|
Members Helping Members help Buying a non Pontiac item, transportation help, Handy-man advice, directions, vacation ideas, places to dine, ebay and generally anything you think might help other members. |
Reply |
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
||||
|
||||
Modern parts washer solvents. What ya using?
I bought a cheap 20 gallon parts washer at Harbor Freight years ago. Tonight project is to finally assemble it!
So, what’s the best or cheapest parts washer solvent around today? The only recommendation I got was some called PSC1000 from Tractor Supply. Anyone use this, or have something better? Thanks
__________________
63 LeMans- 69 400 w/ original transaxle. 2.69 gears. 55 Catalina 62 Mercury Meteor-all original, bought new by my grandfather 71' GTO -original 400/4-speed/3.23 posi 13.95 @ 102.1 on street tires @ 4055lbs.-now my sons ride |
The Following User Says Thank You to 67drake For This Useful Post: | ||
#2
|
|||
|
|||
The Tractor Supply PSC 1000 solvent is great and the lowest cost petroleum based solvent I can find. Unfortunately, unless Harbor Freight has changed their pump in the last 10 years or so, they DO NOT recommend running petroleum based solvent in their pumps. So you may have a real problem using this stuff. Harbor Freight expects you to use the various water based solvents out there. I have never found any of them to work at all. Along with not working, they all leave a scummy film on all your parts. So not sure what to recommend as far as the HF tank and pump. I have seen people just use the HF solvent tank as a dip tank and not use the pump. Or buy a petroleum solvent pump from Grainger and retrofit it.
|
#3
|
||||
|
||||
Ah, OK, glad I asked. Yeah the HF manual says no petroleum based solvents. I was thinking the PSC 1000 was water based.
__________________
63 LeMans- 69 400 w/ original transaxle. 2.69 gears. 55 Catalina 62 Mercury Meteor-all original, bought new by my grandfather 71' GTO -original 400/4-speed/3.23 posi 13.95 @ 102.1 on street tires @ 4055lbs.-now my sons ride |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
If you go the water based route, please post here if you find ANY that actually works on oily, greasy, caked-up old auto parts. I have found none yet.
|
The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to mgarblik For This Useful Post: | ||
#5
|
||||
|
||||
I always preclean my parts to keep my expensive solvent fresher. For the solvent, i have 10 gallons of mineral spirits from farm and home mixed with 1 gallon of a product called Gold Seal or something like that. I got it at an auction in a 5 gallon can. Says it makes parts washers work better.
|
The Following User Says Thank You to Mr Twister For This Useful Post: | ||
#6
|
||||
|
||||
Hmm. Looked on my local Craigslist last night. Some shop is selling an old ugly parts washer with a good working petroleum pump on it, for $80. If it’s still available Monday, I might just go get that and sell this new one before I waste my time getting it dirty. I can probably come out ahead buying the used one.
__________________
63 LeMans- 69 400 w/ original transaxle. 2.69 gears. 55 Catalina 62 Mercury Meteor-all original, bought new by my grandfather 71' GTO -original 400/4-speed/3.23 posi 13.95 @ 102.1 on street tires @ 4055lbs.-now my sons ride |
The Following User Says Thank You to 67drake For This Useful Post: | ||
#7
|
||||
|
||||
I have a HF parts washer and the water based solvents were useless. I bought an inexpensive solvent friendly pump and stuck it on. Been working great with Mineral Spirits ever since. Can't remember where I got the pump but they're out there.
__________________
Greg Reid Palmetto, Georgia |
The Following User Says Thank You to Greg Reid For This Useful Post: | ||
#8
|
||||
|
||||
Been using Super Clean purple degreaser for about a year, works very well. Also use it on the floor. Nice water based degreaser, cleans pistons, heads, chassis, seat belts, haven't found anything it won't clean.
__________________
|
#9
|
||||
|
||||
I've used the various purple cleaners for 20 years starting with Castrol if I recall correctly. I still use one or another for 90% of my shop cleaning. Greased Lightning is another... They are very good, probably the best as far as water based cleaners go but they came up short with the kinds of things I was cleaning in my parts cleaner.
One more thing about those products.. Do not use them on aluminum. They contain Lye which doesn't play nice with aluminum or anodized parts for that matter. For PRE-cleaning, I have found that heavy duty Easy-Off (in the yellow can) can't be beat. Again, stay away from aluminum or anodized stuff.
__________________
Greg Reid Palmetto, Georgia Last edited by Greg Reid; 11-19-2023 at 12:31 PM. |
#10
|
||||
|
||||
Well, I went and picked up the grungy old washer for $80. Now going to go up to TS for some PSC 1000, so the water based issue is moot. Thanks everyone!
__________________
63 LeMans- 69 400 w/ original transaxle. 2.69 gears. 55 Catalina 62 Mercury Meteor-all original, bought new by my grandfather 71' GTO -original 400/4-speed/3.23 posi 13.95 @ 102.1 on street tires @ 4055lbs.-now my sons ride |
The Following User Says Thank You to 67drake For This Useful Post: | ||
#11
|
||||
|
||||
Took all the sludge out with a wide putty knife, then filled with 5 gallons of that PSC 1000. Works great!
Anyone want to buy a brand new HF parts washer?
__________________
63 LeMans- 69 400 w/ original transaxle. 2.69 gears. 55 Catalina 62 Mercury Meteor-all original, bought new by my grandfather 71' GTO -original 400/4-speed/3.23 posi 13.95 @ 102.1 on street tires @ 4055lbs.-now my sons ride |
#12
|
||||
|
||||
I like the Mercury Meteor in front of the washer. 62 / 63 ? My Aunt had one back in the early 70s. Her's was a hardtop with bucket seats. 260 Ford IIRC.
__________________
Ed 1968 GTO (Thanks Mom) 2006 Silverado 2007 Cadillac SRX 2015 Chevy Express 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ |
#13
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
I have the engine out and back from the machine shop. I figured the parts washer would help with cleaning off oil pan, rocker covers ect.
__________________
63 LeMans- 69 400 w/ original transaxle. 2.69 gears. 55 Catalina 62 Mercury Meteor-all original, bought new by my grandfather 71' GTO -original 400/4-speed/3.23 posi 13.95 @ 102.1 on street tires @ 4055lbs.-now my sons ride |
#14
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
You could have wasted a bunch of money trying different water based cleaners, What are the chances HF will take it back? I have never seen anyone use a water based product that works as good as Stoddard solvent, mineral spirits, cheap "Gun Cleaner" lacquer thinner, etc,etc God Bless Bill https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...closed.614419/
__________________
"Imitation Is The Sincerest Form Of Flattery That Mediocrity Can Pay To Greatness" Your QUALITY Pontiac Transporter Since 1983 1955 Chevy Altered W.B. Gasser 1955 Nash Ambassador Custom Lemans 1964 Grand Prix 1966 Catalina Conv. 421+ 1966 Ambassador DPL 2dr HT 1966 Ambassador Cust. 2 DR HT 1967 Marlin 1967 Toronado 1973 Nova Full Chassis Car 1992 Jag XJS Conv 1992 Jag XJS Coupe 2007 Cad XLR-V Supercharged Roadster |
#15
|
||||
|
||||
Don't know about water-based but I use mineral spirits for the heavy lifting, and lacquer thinner for final cleaning.
Back in the day trichlor was really good, but used with good ventilation. hasn't been available for years now. The Brakleen stuff is similar. George
__________________
"...out to my ol'55, I pulled away slowly, feeling so holy, god knows i was feeling alive"....written by Tom Wait from the Eagles' Live From The Forum |
The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to george kujanski For This Useful Post: | ||
#16
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
__________________
63 LeMans- 69 400 w/ original transaxle. 2.69 gears. 55 Catalina 62 Mercury Meteor-all original, bought new by my grandfather 71' GTO -original 400/4-speed/3.23 posi 13.95 @ 102.1 on street tires @ 4055lbs.-now my sons ride |
The Following User Says Thank You to 67drake For This Useful Post: | ||
#17
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
Is the TS PSC 1000 naptha? If not, what is it? |
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Shiny For This Useful Post: | ||
#18
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
So, in California we have not been able to use solvent based parts washers for years. What they do let us use is the citrus based stuff. And it does work but................... it must be used in heated tanks. Works, but its a extra cost with the heater on all the time. But the non flammable part is very good. Its the norm here these days. |
The Following User Says Thank You to Dragncar For This Useful Post: | ||
#19
|
||||
|
||||
Huh... I didn't think they allowed things to get dirty in California any more.. ; )
__________________
Greg Reid Palmetto, Georgia |
The Following User Says Thank You to Greg Reid For This Useful Post: | ||
#20
|
||||
|
||||
I believe its similar to mineral spirits.
__________________
63 LeMans- 69 400 w/ original transaxle. 2.69 gears. 55 Catalina 62 Mercury Meteor-all original, bought new by my grandfather 71' GTO -original 400/4-speed/3.23 posi 13.95 @ 102.1 on street tires @ 4055lbs.-now my sons ride |
Reply |
|
|