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Thread: Parts Washer

  1. #1
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    Default Parts Washer

    Lets talk parts washers. Who is using them for gun cleaning? What solvent are you using? Had any problems with mineral spirits and polymers, finishes or night sites?

    When I was in the Marines we had parts washers at the armory. Any one know what solvent was in them?

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    The "Godfather" of COAR Great-Kazoo's Avatar
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    i have a small table top parts washer. using simple green
    my main parts cleaner for guns is this. also using s/green cut 50/50 then blow off with compressed air. takes even the most powder fouled (suppressed) pistol and makes it look new
    http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=91957

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    Rabid Anti-Dentite Hoser's Avatar
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    Heated ultrasonic and Simple Green cut 50/50 with water.
    You know I like my coffee sweet in the morning
    and I'm crazy about my tea at night

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    Witness Protection Reject rondog's Avatar
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    I don't know anything about Simple Green, never used it. I prefer to use the old standard, called "stoddard solvent". The same stuff auto mechanics had been using for decades, until the Greenies and Safety Kleen came along with their organic, feel-good crap. Stoddard solvent is kinda hard to find, though. Usually have to go to a large petroleum products distributor/wholesaler. Anything you have to mix with water ain't no solvent, IMO.

    Kerosene ain't no good, and gasoline is out of the question, same with acetone. Stoddard solvent WILL burn, but it's NOT volatile, the fumes aren't explosive. Some folks have said it's the same thing as mineral spirits, but I've compared them side-by-side and they're not the same. The stuff works good in an old Crock Pot too, heated solvents clean really well.

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    how suitable is a crock pot for flammable liquids?

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    Quote Originally Posted by 7idl View Post
    how suitable is a crock pot for flammable liquids?
    The shrapnel is pretty cool when they blow up. Simple Green works well and is easy to find for the home owner. if you are going to do this for a living, go with a Zep parts washer and avoid Safety Kleen like the plague.
    “Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom. It is the argument of tyrants; it is the creed of slaves.” - William Pitt

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    The "Godfather" of COAR Great-Kazoo's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by rondog View Post
    I don't know anything about Simple Green, never used it. I prefer to use the old standard, called "stoddard solvent". The same stuff auto mechanics had been using for decades, until the Greenies and Safety Kleen came along with their organic, feel-good crap. Stoddard solvent is kinda hard to find, though. Usually have to go to a large petroleum products distributor/wholesaler. Anything you have to mix with water ain't no solvent, IMO.

    Kerosene ain't no good, and gasoline is out of the question, same with acetone. Stoddard solvent WILL burn, but it's NOT volatile, the fumes aren't explosive. Some folks have said it's the same thing as mineral spirits, but I've compared them side-by-side and they're not the same. The stuff works good in an old Crock Pot too, heated solvents clean really well.
    while i like to use a 'good" parts cleaner, degreaser. the major issue for the home parts cleaner user is disposable of used solvent.
    simple green has been around longer than anyone even considered using the term GREEN. non-toxic biodegradable flush it down the crapper, and not much needed to take any left over residue off your gun.
    plus you can find it in any hardware, big box, or tool supply store. one of the best parts washers is the one that is heated, cost is about $1K.


    as for a heated ultrasonic. the HF one runs about $250 min less then the name brand (crest, bransonic etc) excluding the heat option. i had some concern regarding the HF unit not having heat. however run it for 30min and it warms up nice. the othe rplus is it has a better warranty then the name brand ones do

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    Grand Master Know It All HunterCO's Avatar
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    Let me say this about simple green I have never thought of useing it for cleaning my guns. However there is nothing on the face of this earth that will remove greasy fingerprints from oxidized paint like simple green I worship the stuff as an auto tech. It will remove axle grease, oil, and any other thing you could ever imagine from paint, upolstrey, carpet hell it is endless.

    Jim I am going to order that sonic cleaner tomorrow and let me say your not so bad for the other colored guy.

    I guess I just may worship it as my gun cleaner also.
    "The people never give up their liberties but under some delusion." (Edmund Burke 1784)

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    The "Godfather" of COAR Great-Kazoo's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by HunterCO View Post
    Let me say this about simple green I have never thought of useing it for cleaning my guns. However there is nothing on the face of this earth that will remove greasy fingerprints from oxidized paint like simple green I worship the stuff as an auto tech. It will remove axle grease, oil, and any other thing you could ever imagine from paint, upolstrey, carpet hell it is endless.

    Jim I am going to order that sonic cleaner tomorrow and let me say your not so bad for the other colored guy.

    I guess I just may worship it as my gun cleaner also.

    before you order call your local HF they usually match catalog price the store part # is 91957
    also listed @ $139.99

    alan said he told rob's mom the "colored" story and she got a good laugh out of it
    IT AIN'T EASY BEING GREEN

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    hmmm, I"m glad I'm a nosey mod type.. (I look at everything(~))



    I've been wanting an US tank, this may be the thing


    SG works pretty good, but the Crystal SG works better.

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