After you have got a parts washer, the next thing you would want to do is use the best parts washer solvent. Instead of using the usual mineral-based solvents, you are better off using a dedicated degreaser to keep your machinery strong, crisp, and clean.
Solvents for parts washers are essential if you want your automotive parts to be cleaned to the point where it looks brand new. From engine refurbishing to hardware manufacturing, these cleaners are used every day.
While there are a lot of cleaners out there, you need to make sure that the product you use will work with the parts washer you have. And for that, we have handpicked some of the best solvent for parts washer.
Right off the shelf, the thing you should avoid is using any old degreaser. Also, don’t use diesel to clean your parts unless you want a nasty smell coming from you all day.
5 Best Parts Washer Solvent 2022
- Best Overall – uOil Eater AOD1G35437 1 Gallon Degreaser/u
- Best Water Based Parts Washer Solvent – uB'laster Parts Washer Solvent/ustrongu
- Best Solvent Based Parts Washer –
uWD40 Company Specialist Degreaser/ustronguBuy on Amazon$15.36 ($0.12 / Fl Oz)We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.04/14/2024 11:14 am GMT - Best Solvent For Cleaning Engine Parts – uSimple Green 19128 Industrial Cleaner/u
With that being said, let’s have a look at some of the best parts cleaner solvents on the market.
1. Oil Eater Original 1 Gallon Cleaner/Degreaser – Best Overall
The Oil Eater Original 1 Gallon Cleaner/Degreaser is the best solvent for parts washers in 2022.
This is a fast-acting degreaser that uses the same formula used in Oil Eater’s industrial cleaner to clean industrial products. As the name suggests, this one is hungry to clear. It can quickly degrease hard build-up and residue. In addition to that, it can also be used to clean household items.
The entire container does not have a single drop of acid. It is a water-based solvent that is biodegradable and safe for the environment. However, it comes concentrated so you should follow the dilution chart on each bottle and dilute it with water.
This means that the cleaning agent can solve two problems. When it’s diluted, you can use it as a general cleaning agent and use it concentrated when working on high-demand projects. You can even use it in septic systems.
The oil eater cleaner and degreaser can also be used for non-food surfaces since it is USDA-approved. As far as the usage goes, you can even remove those tough-to-clean oil stains from your driveway. You can clean carpets and a host of other stains by using them straight or diluted without causing any sort of harm to the fabric.
Pros
- Eco-friendly cleaning solvent
- It comes concentrated
- Works fast to remove residue
- All-in-one cleaning solution
Cons
- Needs some brushing to fully remove stains
2. Simple Green Industrial Cleaner/Degreaser – Best Quality
Simple Green, while not the most inexpensive option out there, but it’s definitely the most trusted and also the most widely used solvent out there. There are a couple of good reasons why you should consider this as the only solvent to clean auto parts.
It’s a VOC-compliant product, cleans things up well, is not a fire hazard, and safe for materials. If you want a safer alternative to caustic solvents and cleaners, this is a good choice. You can use it as a degreaser or a cleaner to clean engine and engine compartments.
This all-purpose cleaner uses a non-toxic formula that is non-corrosive and non-abrasive, which makes it safe for all washable parts and surfaces. Whether you want to remove grease, heavy dirt, or food stains, this industrial cleaner can clean them all.
Unlike other solvents that produce a harsh smell, this one actually has a rather pleasant smell. The uses are virtually unlimited. You are not stuck with a cleaner that can only cut grime, grease, or oil. With this solvent, you can wash your work clothes, clean floors, driveways, and decks.
Pros
- A powerful, all-purpose solvent
- No harsh smell after cleaning
- It works really well as a degreaser
- Safe to work with
Cons
- Nothing to nitpick about
Best Water Based Parts Washer Solvent
3. B’laster 128-PWS Industrial Strength Parts Washer Solvent
The B’laster parts washer solvent clearly takes the cake when it comes to cutting grease, motor oils, and cutting oils. It is a hundred times better than usual mineral-based solvents on the market and can quickly remove grime and grease from metals. You can even use it to clean plastic surfaces.
The best feature of this cleaner is that it will not leave any residue, which means it is the perfect solvent to use on parts that you will be painting later. Although it’s a powerful cleaner, it doesn’t smell that bad. It smells more like a deodorized mineral spirit.
Putting that topic aside, let’s talk about what actually matters, and that is cleaning performance. This one can cut through grease and dirt like a carb cleaner. In addition to that, you can use it to prepare your rusty metal for paint. You can even use it on a small benchtop parts washer.
Keep in mind that it’s a petroleum-based parts cleaner, and if you are the type of person that used to use Agitene, the B’laster 128-PWS can be a good alternative. While it’s not the cheapest solvent-based cleaner out there, but it is worth every penny when it comes to cleaning performance.
Pros
- Cuts oil and grease like a carb cleaner
- Petroleum-based solvent
- Doesn’t leave parts residue
- Safe on metals
- water-based degreaser for parts washer
Cons
- Slightly expensive
4. CRC 05067 Parts Washer Solvent – Best For Aluminum
The CRC 05067 is a mineral spirit-based parts washer solvent that will clean just about anything. It’s not corrosive, which means you can use it on aluminum, and it works really well. This one comes in a 5-gallon container that you can easily use on a 30-gallon drum parts washer.
The appealing feature of this solvent is its low VOC and because of that, it is California legal. While this isn’t as aggressive as other cleaners, but the solvent works really well when it comes to cutting oil and grime. It can also remove other contaminants from your auto parts with ease.
Since it isn’t as aggressive as the others, there are a couple of things that you can do prior to cleaning to get the most cleaning performance out of this product. First, use parts cleaning brush and soak the parts before you brush the curd off, and it will work wonders.
Just like any other solvent, this too will evaporate if you keep the lids open. However, the evaporation rate is slower on this one. On a side note, you can clean gun parts with it if you want but will leave oily film afterward.
Pros
- Effectively remove grime and dirt
- Low VOC
- Easy & safe to use
- Protects finish
Cons
- Not very aggressive as a solvent
Read More: How to Clean a Car Engine Safely?
5. Simple Green 19128 Crystal Industrial Cleaner/Degreaser – Eco-Friendly Parts Washer Solvent
When it comes to making eco-friendly solvents, Simple Green knows how to deliver the right product. This is a water-based industrial cleaner and degreaser that is specifically formulated for critical cleaning applications. If you want to go green, this is the best auto parts cleaner solvent on the market.
If your cleaning job requires a fragrance-free solution, go with this one. As for the cleaning performance, you can clean your bike chain to the point where it will be brand new. It is non-caustic, non-toxic, non-hazardous, non-corrosive, non-flammable, and VOC compliant. In short, it is perfectly safe to use.
This liquid comes concentrated, and if you want to perform a heavy-duty cleaning task, use it out of the bottle. On the other hand, for delicate cleaning jobs, you can dilute it to your desired level. This way, you can safely clean your parts without causing any harm.
There is no doubt that it is one of the most powerful cleaners on the market, especially for those that don’t have permission to use industrial solvent. It is powerful enough to break down grease and oil from engine parts without the smell or any sort of effect.
Pros
- Safe to use as a kitchen cleaner
- It can easily get rid of grease and oil
- Environmentally friendly
- Fragrance-free
Cons
- A bit pricier than regular solvents
6. Graymills M5005-141 5 Gallons Cleaning Solvent – Best Fluid For Parts Washer
Finally, we have the Super Agitene™ M5005 from Garymills. The specially formulated degreasing fluid of this solvent can easily outperform any water-based solvent in the market.
This is the best parts washer cleaner that has an industrial-grade cleaning strength that is great for an automotive repair shop. This degreaser is ideal for engine and other engine components as well as painted surfaces, plastics, and metals. It is a low-odor solvent that has a higher flash point of 141°F.
If you work in a place where a high flash point solvent is required, this product will meet your local regulations. It meets VOC regulations and does not contain any hazardous ingredients listed by the EPA’s RCRA.
It is powerful enough to remove and soften gummy deposits that are otherwise unaffected by regular mineral spirits. To reduce the chance of chapping and irritation on your skin, it comes with a cosmetic-grade lanolin formulation that replenishes your skin’s natural oil.
Pros
- Ideal for heavy-duty cleaning
- High flash point solvent
- It meets VOC regulations
- Non-hazardous
Cons
- Can’t be used for the pre-painting process
How to Choose the Right Solvent For Parts Washer
Different cleaning applications require different solvents. So, how do you know which one is right for your parts washer? Let me answer this question with another question. What kind of cleaning task do you need to do?
High To Medium Usage
If you intend to use your parts washer for all your cleaning jobs, go with a petroleum-based solvent like the B’laster. This is a heavy-duty solution that is specifically intended to be used in a parts washer only.
To get the most out of your cleaning solvent; it is better to go with industrial-grade products, especially if you are running a repair shop or a home garage. For a big facility that constantly decreases and maintains automotive parts, your need something strong.
Medium To Low Usage
For less frequent jobs, you don’t need a powerful solvent. This means anything with an eco-friendly tag like the Oil Eater or the Spring Green will be more than enough.
Image Source: www.envirofluid.com
In short, go with a water-based parts washer solvent that comes concentrated. That way, you can put them directly into a parts washer without diluting them. They also make for a powerful everyday cleaning solvent since you can dilute them to your desired level.
In addition to cleaning mechanical parts, you can use these cleaning agents to take care of frequent spills and other regular maintenance. In short, these all-rounders are a great product to have in your facility.
Parts Washer Capability
Make sure that your parts washer can handle flammable cleaning agents because there are some models that require you to use water-based solvents only.
How Do I Clean My Solvent Parts Washer?
Solvent part washers generally use the solvent base for cleaning purposes. More than 2-3 ingredients are used, which acts as a homogenous compound for cleaning, especially without heat. That’s why the other name by which they are called is known as the cold tank washer.
In the below-mentioned ways, you can clean using your solvent parts washer:
Energy-efficient
You can wash through your solvent parts washer in a very economical and energy-saving mode. This is because of their cold temperate facilities, which are not possible in hot tank washers.
In hot tank washers, the maintenance of the hot temperature consumes so much heat energy. However, the same thing is not applicable for things like solvent parts washer that works without heat.
Solvent efficiency
Many of the solvent parts washers can be used for multiple sessions of cleanings. And, that is mainly possible due to their recycling tendency.
Faster cleaning
Industrial level high volume parts cleaning tendency job always demands a quicker cleaning tendency. Where the accuracy of time matters a lot, cleaners like the solvent parts cleaner come in handy.
You are benefitting from this system as it has a faster cleaning cycle than the aqueous parts cleaner.
FAQs About Parts Washer Solvent
What solvent to use on a new parts cleaner?
If you don’t want to smell up the garage too much, I would suggest you go with something that has a low odor and is biodegradable.
Are water-based cleaners any good?
In terms of cleaning strength, water-based cleaning agents won’t perform as well as petroleum-based cleaning agents. With that begin said, most cleaning jobs won’t require the need for a petroleum-based cleaner.
Can I use mineral-based parts cleaning fluid for other cleaning tasks?
Aside from metal parts, you can use these cleaning agents to clean hard plastic objects.
Can I use a petroleum-based solvent on a parts washer designed for water-based solvent?
No. If you do that, the pump housing of your parts washer will distort, thus rendering the parts washer useless. It can also create a fire hazard since these are flammable liquids.
Can I use kerosene as a parts cleaner?
The usage of kerosene is quite common and has been in use in workshops for a long time. This is mainly because of the low cost. However, when it comes to removing bearing grease, kerosene is not very useful.
What Is The Best Solvent For Grease?
Alcohol is one of the best solvents for grease or dissolving fat. The grease particles are broken into small particles by the alcohol. Again, the alcohol molecules themselves surround the tiny particles of oil, which keeps the tendency to dissolve the fat quickly.
You can cut the grease almost immediately by using alcohol. But the thing that should be kept in mind is that it should be used only on non-porous surfaces like metal, glasses, etc.
Final Thoughts on Parts Washer Solvent
In the end, the parts washer solvent review is the one that meets your cleaning needs for your particular parts washer. You don’t always have to go cheap and get an ordinary cleaner or pay a premium to get an industrial-grade cleaning agent if you don’t have the use for them.
Myself Erick R. Jackson, I am a Computer Science graduate by law but a passionately enchanted blogger by profession.
A few years back, it all started with my first blog website. It was about to deal and heal with automotive hand tools. Well, it brought me a good audience base for sure, which then dragged me out of my major and got me to sit and write, and be a blogger. Read more
