At paint stores and the paint aisle at big-boxes at an insane retail
markup. Or WD-40 if you like it perfumed.
Diesel fuel is close enough for degreasing applications.
Filling stations sell it from pumps in rural, cold climates for heaters.
Some gas stations sell kerosene, we have a Speedway nearby that does
it. I normally keep a 5 gallon container with Kero for starting
fires in my firepit, and cleaning parts.
i
>
>> Let me ask the dumb question,
>> where do you buy kerosene? I would think Ace or Home Depot, as they
>> sell the kerosene heaters. Is that right? And is kerosene a good >> cleaner?
>
> At paint stores and the paint aisle at big-boxes at an insane retail
> markup. Or WD-40 if you like it perfumed.
>
> Diesel fuel is close enough for degreasing applications.
>
> Filling stations sell it from pumps in rural, cold climates for heaters.
The last carb I cleaned I used Simple Green in the Harbor Freight heated
ultrasonic cleaner. After a 10 min cycle in the cleaner I blew
everything clear and dry with compressed air, reassembled and the
formerly non-op carb worked perfectly.
Pete, what mix ratio did you use for the Simple Green and how
well did it clean? Did it remove the black carbon that's usually
in the barrel(s) of the carb?
I don't know how often you might want a really clean part, but the auto
parts stores sell a gallon can of carb cleaner that REALLY works. the
motor heads call it "boiling out the carb" to use it.
You don't heat the stuff, though.
The gallon can, like a paint can, has a basket inside that you toss the
parts into. Read the label.
Looks like brand new when done.
Costs $30. Lasts for many years with the lid on tight.
The auto stores also have less flammable solvents. One used to be
called "Stoddard Solvent".
Kerosene won't blow you up, but it sure is flammable. I agree with
another poster that diesel fuel works okay, just not quite as active as
kerosene. BTW, the diesel works well as a lubricant for cutting alumimum.
You'll pay through the nose, I think, if you buy Kerosene at a
hardware-type store.
Cleaning the exterior of engines:
Gunk, at the auto store. Couple of bucks a can.
I'd seriously avoid using gasoline around parts made of iron and steel,
at least. Acetone can't be much better. Wear gloves. I like the
orange colored "refinishing gloves" sold at Menard's and other places in
the Paint Aisle.
Take care,
Pete Stanaitis
---------------
SteveB wrote:
I got some parts I need to clean. I have gas and acetone, and a quart or so
of mineral spirits.
What's a good solvent for cleaning the exterior of carburetors, engine
parts, etc, in a sink or tub with a parts brush that won't eat your brain
out or blow you up? I have heard kerosene. Let me ask the dumb question,
where do you buy kerosene? I would think Ace or Home Depot, as they sell
the kerosene heaters. Is that right? And is kerosene a good cleaner?
Wish I had one of those parts washing sinks (SD?), but I'd use it about
twice a year. Sure are handy, though.
Steve
Well for a decent non flammable cleaner in a wash tub Simple Green works
pretty well. I use it in my big tanks as well as in the ultrasonic
cleaner I use for carbs and injectors.
The acetone works good for cleaning carbs BUT you have to make sure that
no rubber parts are in there.
Kerosene can be purchased at most places that sell gasoline and diesel
fuel (which also makes a good BUT smelly cleaner) However all the
petroleum cleaners STINK and are flammable.
Not Pete, but I use Sg in the cleaner as well. Does a real nice job in a
conventional tank and in an ultrasonic I have as well. Mine gets mixed
about 1SG-10Water. In the big tank it gets most of the crap. Real baked
on grease is kind of tough. The carbon in the carbs comes off in the
ultrasonic though.
Simple Green.
And Id give you 2 washers with pumps and heaters for free if you were
close by.
Gunner
"Pax Americana is a philosophy. Hardly an empire.
Making sure other people play nice and dont kill each other (and us)
off in job lots is hardly empire building, particularly when you give
them self determination under "play nice" rules.
Think of it as having your older brother knock the shit out of you
for torturing the cat." Gunner
K1 is right at $6 a gallon here. From the bulk plant.
Ive had to change my shop heat over to propane because of the cost and
live with the increased humitidy
Gunner
"Pax Americana is a philosophy. Hardly an empire.
Making sure other people play nice and dont kill each other (and us)
off in job lots is hardly empire building, particularly when you give
them self determination under "play nice" rules.
Think of it as having your older brother knock the shit out of you
for torturing the cat." Gunner
The best way to clean a carb (or most other small parts) is with a
pail of carb cleaner. The best of those, in my opinion, are the ones
based on cresylic acid.
For washing with a brush, kerosene or diesel will work, but mineral
spirits works a bit better. In a parts washer Safety-Kleen is a bit
safer, firewise, and does a very good job.
This is meant to be used with a solvent like mineral spirits, kero,
diesel fuel etc and it works very well.
About the only difference between diesel and kero is that diesel
stinks more. It also has road tax, but they sell so much of it it is
usually still cheaper than kero even with tax. #2 fuel oil also works
but it really stinks and it's not as easy to buy in small quantity.
I use mineral spirits. Less flammible, not as stinky, cheaper than
milk by the gallon and it works fer me.
Look up Ed's red cleaner on the web. I skip the acetone and don't watch
proportions exactly - 1 ATF. 1 kerosene, 1 mineral spirits.
Ed's Red cleaner:
1 part Dexron II, IIe or III ATF, GM Spec. D-20265 or later.
1 part Kerosene - deodorized, K1
1 part Aliphatic Mineral Spirits, Fed. Spec. TT-T-2981F, CAS #64741-49-9, or
may substitute "Stoddard Solvent", CAS #8052-41-3, or equivalent, (aka
"Varsol")
1 part Acetone, CAS #67-64-1.
(Optional up to 1 lb. of Lanolin, Anhydrous, USP per gallon, OK to
substitute Lanolin, Modified, Topical Lubricant, from the drug store)
On Tue, 18 Mar 2008 21:38:29 -0600, with neither quill nor qualm,
"Pete C." quickly quoth:
Didn't the ultrasound shake loose some of the pressed-in brass
orifices? I'd be hard pressed to try that option for that reason.
--
Death is more universal than life; everyone dies but not everyone lives.
-- A. Sachs
On Wed, 19 Mar 2008 02:09:29 -0500, with neither quill nor qualm, Jim
Levie quickly quoth:
I agree, wholeheartedly. B-9 Chem Dip (no longer legal in CA) is
stinky stuff, but it works -extremely- well for those minute passages
which really need cleanout. For aerosols, Berryman's B-12 is tops,
and it can be used for starting fluid as well.
Yes, Safety-Kleen is a very good kero substitute.
--
Death is more universal than life; everyone dies but not everyone lives.
-- A. Sachs
On Tue, 18 Mar 2008 20:37:54 -0800, with neither quill nor qualm,
"SteveB" quickly quoth:
If it doesn't eat your brain, it won't clean the most intimate
passages in the carburetor body. Cresols rule!
--
Death is more universal than life; everyone dies but not everyone lives.
-- A. Sachs
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