Anyone use a parts washer at their house? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

99-LS1-SS · 05-31-2011, 07:53 AM

If so what is your opinion and which brand did you get?

hgs_notes · 05-31-2011, 08:17 AM

harbor freight 20 gallon. It works fine. The main thing is the fluid you use in it. In my experience the "green" cleaners just don't work as well as the mineral spirits normally used. I got mineral spirits at a farm/fleet store for around $40 for a 5 gallon pail.

Torrey72 · 06-01-2011, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hgs_notes

harbor freight 20 gallon. It works fine. The main thing is the fluid you use in it. In my experience the "green" cleaners just don't work as well as the mineral spirits normally used. I got mineral spirits at a farm/fleet store for around $40 for a 5 gallon pail.

X2
Harbor Freight has all kinds of low cost Chinese tools that work well. Not the hand tools, but all the shop goodies like the wash tanks, engine stands and hoists and stuff.

rsavage · 06-01-2011, 11:50 PM

I have a 20 gallon parts washer I bought at Tractor Supply Company for $90 on sale. It is probably identical to the Harbor Freight one. It works well. The two five gallon pails of cleaner cost almost as much as the washer. For years prior, I used kerosene. It worked well but was smelly and flamable.

bobs409 · 06-02-2011, 06:31 AM

I too have a H.F. unit only my pump died shortly after switching to actual solvent. I first tried their water based cleaner, pffft, what a joke! Might as well fill it with Windex, would work alot better!

I just use mine the manual way without the pump. Not worth bothering with.

cdowns · 06-02-2011, 10:43 AM

i had a great parts washer at my house.

then my nephew grew up and joined the army so no more parts washer

Notch1988 · 06-02-2011, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdowns

i had a great parts washer at my house.

then my nephew grew up and joined the army so no more parts washer

tow guys · 06-03-2011, 08:46 AM

I have the HF 20 gal one also. I use purple power for most cleanups. For stubborn grease I use por15's marine clean. Neither seem to be having any ill effects on the pump after 5+ years.

buffle · 06-03-2011, 03:17 PM

HF works well , just don`t expect the pump to last. If they sold replacement pumps, these would be excellent for home use.

JimmyFloyd · 06-03-2011, 03:38 PM

I have a Clarke one from Tractor Supply (Clarke is now out of business) Never actually used it since I never found a good cleaner to use with it, and it since got buried under stuff. Would like to hear recommendations on a good all-purpose cleaner though, as I will be digging it out in july when I reorganize the garage.

ETsC10 · 06-04-2011, 12:29 AM

In my experience...
1. Generally, pumps cost as much as the whole unit.
2. If you can get concentrated bilge cleaner (used on industrial boats),
it works awesome!
3. A big tray with mineral spirits and a brush work fine. Don't smoke.
4. Don't use gasoline.
I do not have a parts cleaner at my house

but have used
#2 & #3 at my hobby garage.

ET

CrewCab59 · 07-13-2011, 06:05 PM

I have a 20 gal from Northern tool ,been working for the last 3 years with almost every day . The only problem after I filled it up found a pin hole in the tank , good thing for the drain on the bottom.

*Shane* · 07-13-2011, 08:49 PM

20 gallon Harbor Freight special ... full of kerosene. Cleans like the devil.

MadManAndrew · 07-16-2011, 06:25 PM

I don't know what size mine is, I think 5 gallon? Got it from harbor freight.
Posted via Mobile Device

fishingjred73 · 08-04-2011, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ETsC10

In my experience...
1. Generally, pumps cost as much as the whole unit.
2. If you can get concentrated bilge cleaner (used on industrial boats),
it works awesome!
3. A big tray with mineral spirits and a brush work fine. Don't smoke.
4. Don't use gasoline.
I do not have a parts cleaner at my house

but have used
#2 & #3 at my hobby garage.

ET

A qt of this makes 96 gallons so I may splurge and try it.

I only need 20 gallons so I'll just make it more concentrated. http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs...classNum=11173

fishingjred73 · 08-11-2011, 05:45 PM

OK I wouldn't recommend the bilge cleaner I posted the link to above. Not real impressed with the results, so I'll be replacing it as soon as I find some solvent.

BarryB · 08-11-2011, 06:25 PM

Well mine isn't from Harbor freight. I bought mine when Homier truck tool sale was in town. BUT it is the same one Harbor freight sells just a different color. Mine has been doing me fine. I went to Lowes and bought couple 5 gallon pales of mineral spirits. Does great. My pump as been fine so far.

05-31-2011, 07:53 AM	#1
99-LS1-SS Registered User Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Oak Ridge NC Posts: 957	Anyone use a parts washer at their house? If so what is your opinion and which brand did you get?

06-01-2011, 11:50 PM	#4
rsavage Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Alden NY Posts: 2,705	Re: Anyone use a parts washer at their house? I have a 20 gallon parts washer I bought at Tractor Supply Company for $90 on sale. It is probably identical to the Harbor Freight one. It works well. The two five gallon pails of cleaner cost almost as much as the washer. For years prior, I used kerosene. It worked well but was smelly and flamable. __________________ 1961 C1 Corvette 1959 El Camino 350 TPI, 9" 4 w disc 69 Blazer K5 - sold July '20 2021 Durango RT 5.7

06-02-2011, 06:31 AM	#5
bobs409 1969 Custom 30 wrecker Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Pottsville, Pa Posts: 2,611	Re: Anyone use a parts washer at their house? I too have a H.F. unit only my pump died shortly after switching to actual solvent. I first tried their water based cleaner, pffft, what a joke! Might as well fill it with Windex, would work alot better! I just use mine the manual way without the pump. Not worth bothering with. __________________ Bob 63 Impala 283/PG/3.36 (under restoration) 66 Impala 327/PG/3.36 66 Chevelle SS 409/M22/3.55 69 Chevelle 307/PG/3.08 (future restoration) 69 C10 short stepside 454/TH350/3.73 69 Custom 30 tow truck 350/4 spd/4.10 (resto done, CRUISIN TIME!) 71 Cheyenne 20 fleetside 350/4 spd/4.10 71 Chevelle 6/PG/3.08 72 Chevelle 454/M21/4.10

06-02-2011, 10:43 AM	#6
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: Anyone use a parts washer at their house? i had a great parts washer at my house. then my nephew grew up and joined the army so no more parts washer __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

06-03-2011, 08:46 AM	#8
tow guys Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Bayville NJ Posts: 385	Re: Anyone use a parts washer at their house? I have the HF 20 gal one also. I use purple power for most cleanups. For stubborn grease I use por15's marine clean. Neither seem to be having any ill effects on the pump after 5+ years. __________________ Check out my 70 GMC tow truck project here.......http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=440431 Member of the 1-Ton Club! http://www.eastcoastcarandtruck.org

05-31-2011, 08:17 AM	#2
hgs_notes GEARHEAD Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: MN Posts: 6,112	Re: Anyone use a parts washer at their house? harbor freight 20 gallon. It works fine. The main thing is the fluid you use in it. In my experience the "green" cleaners just don't work as well as the mineral spirits normally used. I got mineral spirits at a farm/fleet store for around $40 for a 5 gallon pail. __________________ If no one knows what you're doing, they can't tell you you're doing it wrong HG's Dream Car Build - Shelby Cobra Kit Build your own adjustable track bar 71 Long Fleet C/10 72 Jimmy 4x4 (Junkyard Jimmy) HG's Plow Truck '78 K35 Dually Bigass Farm Truck HG's thread of miscellaneous stuff

06-03-2011, 03:17 PM	#9
buffle buffle Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Independence, Mo Posts: 426	Re: Anyone use a parts washer at their house? HF works well , just don`t expect the pump to last. If they sold replacement pumps, these would be excellent for home use.

06-03-2011, 03:38 PM	#10
JimmyFloyd Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 1,458	Re: Anyone use a parts washer at their house? I have a Clarke one from Tractor Supply (Clarke is now out of business) Never actually used it since I never found a good cleaner to use with it, and it since got buried under stuff. Would like to hear recommendations on a good all-purpose cleaner though, as I will be digging it out in july when I reorganize the garage. __________________ 1970 Blazer 350/SM465/205 SOLD! \| 1998 Z3

06-04-2011, 12:29 AM	#11
ETsC10 Hand Crafted C-10 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Burien, WA Posts: 5,180	Re: Anyone use a parts washer at their house? In my experience... 1. Generally, pumps cost as much as the whole unit. 2. If you can get concentrated bilge cleaner (used on industrial boats), it works awesome! 3. A big tray with mineral spirits and a brush work fine. Don't smoke. 4. Don't use gasoline. I do not have a parts cleaner at my house but have used #2 & #3 at my hobby garage. ET

07-13-2011, 06:05 PM	#12
CrewCab59 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Knoxville,TN Posts: 1,185	Re: Anyone use a parts washer at their house? I have a 20 gal from Northern tool ,been working for the last 3 years with almost every day . The only problem after I filled it up found a pin hole in the tank , good thing for the drain on the bottom. __________________ 1972 Custom Deluxe 20 4x4 burb 1971 GMC SWB CST 4x4 1972 GMC k20 4x4 (X- brush truck ) 1971 Chevy CST Blazer 4x4 1971 Chevy C/10 1970 Cab Chassis C30 157" 1971 Cab Chassis Custom 30 Deluxe 157" 292/4spd ( Napco Replica ) 1988 Chevy V30 4x4 wrecker challenger 4812

07-13-2011, 08:49 PM	#13
Shane Account Suspended Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: over yonder Posts: 14,270	Re: Anyone use a parts washer at their house? 20 gallon Harbor Freight special ... full of kerosene. Cleans like the devil.

07-16-2011, 06:25 PM	#14
MadManAndrew Registered User Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 920	Re: Anyone use a parts washer at their house? I don't know what size mine is, I think 5 gallon? Got it from harbor freight. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 1955 Chevy 3600 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...61#post8589061

08-11-2011, 05:45 PM	#16
fishingjred73 Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: LOUISIANA Posts: 811	Re: Anyone use a parts washer at their house? OK I wouldn't recommend the bilge cleaner I posted the link to above. Not real impressed with the results, so I'll be replacing it as soon as I find some solvent. __________________ James '68 Stepside (ground up in progress) My 68 build thread http://louisianaclassictruckclub.fre...side-t956.html '81 SWB "Pap paw" (Driver) The 81 build thread http://louisianaclassictruckclub.fre...-swb-t960.html Member of www.louisianaclassictruckclub.com https://www.facebook.com/groups/296290610747732/

08-11-2011, 06:25 PM	#17
BarryB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Blountville, Tn. Posts: 3,904	Re: Anyone use a parts washer at their house? Well mine isn't from Harbor freight. I bought mine when Homier truck tool sale was in town. BUT it is the same one Harbor freight sells just a different color. Mine has been doing me fine. I went to Lowes and bought couple 5 gallon pales of mineral spirits. Does great. My pump as been fine so far. __________________ We could learn a lot from crayons... Some are sharp; some are pretty;and some are dull. Some have weird names; and all are different colours;but they all have to live in the same box. You may be only one person in the world, But you may also be the world to one person. * Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once. Two rules in life. 1. Never sweat the small stuff! 2. Everything is small stuff!



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