This has apparently been discussed adnauseaum, but I had a bugger of a time finding peoples home made recipes for a degreaser. All I could find is one for "Ed's Red" ( a gun cleaner ) and one that is half Castrol SuperCLean and half kerosene. Both of whitch probably work really well, but are a bit nasty for me. Ideally I would like something that doesn't freeze and also doesn't smell like toxic waste dump. I was thinking that this might be a good time to collect all the recipes in one spot.

 

Two parts mineral spirits, to one part water. The mineral spirits float ontop of the water, making it very easy to clean out the dirt, without wasting the cleaner.

Take care,
~Chris

 

Here are related threads:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...sher+degreaser
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...sher+degreaser
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...sher+degreaser
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...sher+degreaser
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...sher+degreaser
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...sher+degreaser
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...sher+degreaser

These threads discuss various solvent types and equipment. They were found using a search for "parts washer" and "degreaser".

 

Just be careful on what you mix together to make that "special" recipe! Sometime things get mixed when ya don't intend them to. Like cleaning up a spill or dumping different liquid waste items into the same barrel. Chorline and brake fluid will make a nice fire! I say just be safe and use off the shelf products, read the labels, add a lil elbow grease and go from there. I guess I'm just kinda funny about the safety thing but after 25 plus years turnin a wrench for a living I've seen all kinds of stupid stuff and the amazing thing is.... 100% of them were avoidable!

 

PKRWUD - love the site! I laughed my butt off!

 

I was rooting around and remembered that biodiesel will make an excellent degreaser. Its good on the hands and the enviroment as well ( and non flamable ! ) I think I might make a small batch and use that. Its the best thing I can think of for half the price of commercially available degreasers. I'll make a batch and let you know what its like. The worst thing that can happen is it doesn't work that well and it goes into the VW's fuel tank ...

 

Thank you! I try to keep it fun. It's amazing how many people out there aren't fond of airplane wings on a Civic.

I hope you'll stop by again sometime, and say hi in the forums!

Take care,
~Chris

 

Biodiesel is non-flamable? Does that mean it won't burn? How does the engine use it?

 

A word of warning on Chlorine. I work with the stuff in water treatment.

NEVER MIX CL2 WITH PETROLEUM PRODUCTS!

It will self ignite explosively. CL2 is found in bleach, pool HTH and some household cleaners. Petroleum products include the usuall of course but also things like bug killers (malathion). I once saw bleach and malathion poured together and you wold not believe the instant volcano that occured.

Did I mention that Chlorine gas was the main ingredient in mustard gas?

Be carefull out there.

 

I managed to make the biodiesel and am now using it in the parts washer. This stuff's great It has dissolved anything I have put into it so far and because its oily, prevents flash rusting. I have even used it to free up some rusted parts. The best thing is that it doesn't dry out my hands and it is completely non toxic ( yes you could drink it, but please don't ! It can't taste that good )

To answer that other question, biodiesel has a very high flashpoint. Higher than regular diesel. So, yes non flamable. You drop a match in the stuff and it will go out. Compression ignition only !

 

Weasel,

What's the formula???

 

For brand new oil it is: 3.5 grams of lye per liter of oil used and 20% methanol. So for me If I used 4L of oil ( Canola, others can be used, but this is preferred ), I would need 1L of methanol and 14 grams of lye. Mix the methanol and the lye together in a plastic bucket with a paint mixer ( new or clean one. I didn't have one so I made a propeller out of wood ) Mix until dissolved. Put all of your oil in another larger container and then slowly add the methanol mix to the oil ( use our propeller stirrer here too ) Mix for about an hour ( yes you do have to do this !! ) Let it sit for a day or so with the lid off ( to let excess methanol evaporate ) Then transfer to your parts washer. Congradulations, you have made biodiesel !! If you need better instructions than this ( or just can't understand mine ... ) Go to www.journeytoforever.org There is some great info there.

 

Thanks

 

Anytime !