Solvent for solvent tank

[bfr57]

Anybody recommend a cleaning solvent for a solvent tank, perferably non-flamable?

[JasonR]

I know you said non-flamable but they just dont seem to work as well. I use mineral spirits in my parts washer. To be on the safe side I don't leave it plugged in unless I'm using it.

[r66ss]

Originally Posted by JasonR

I know you said non-flamable but they just dont seem to work as well. I use mineral spirits in my parts washer. To be on the safe side I don't leave it plugged in unless I'm using it.

me too,

odorless spirits, and keep lid shut, no pump on when not in use either

[Rick_L]

I use either odorless mineral spirits or kerosene. Too convenient, and cheap.

There are some good water based solvents out there though. Maybe we'll get some new suggestions.

[56belairconvert]

Your local Carquest auto store would have it, it works fine. I would NOT use water based cleaners, it will rust your parts washer over time. Been there done that

[jeffs55]

I've used that purple stuff. I can't remember the name now other than "Purple" was in the name. Fast Purple, Purple Clean? I got it at a local AP store.
Cleans well, but forms a wierd crystalline matrix inside the tank after a while.
I've had the tank piled up with junk on top for....too long...I'm afraid what I'll find when I dig it back out again.

[J&Jhotrods]

Enzyme cleaners have come along way in the last few years. When they first came out, we were forced to use them in one particular shop I worked at. I was not a believer.
Our solvent supplier(where I work now) brought out a cleaner for us to try that uses an odorless, non-toxic, solvent-free cleaner and it works like a champ. The guys in the tow truck service shop have it, and believe me-there isn't hardly anything else out there that gets grimier than tow trucks. I brought over some scum covered car parts that needed a solvent bath, and I used the new cleaner. It works great! No fumes, non toxic, no worrying about "did I close the lid and unplug the solvent tank?" If I had the room, I'd have one in my mancave. I'll get some info on it when I get to work tomorrow.

Jay

[210ratrod]

A friend of mine is a distributor for this stuff, used to use it when I was doing material handling equipment repair, works great and doesn't smell bad. Much safer than stoddard solvent, not priced too bad either! Check it out.

http://www.oileater.com/
Tim

[bfr57]

210ratrod- Did they use this stuff in a solvent tank? Like 56belairconvert mentioned, will it rust out the tank being water based?

[210ratrod]

Originally Posted by bfr57

210ratrod- Did they use this stuff in a solvent tank? Like 56belairconvert mentioned, will it rust out the tank being water based?

I just checked with my friend, and yes, it can rust a steel solvent tank. When I used it, I'd dispense some in a small plasic pail and use a parts cleaning brush or spray it from a spray bottle, we had a separate parts cleaning tank the company rented from Safety-Kleen that they maintained under contract. So yes, 56 BAC is correct.