OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Restoring, Customising and Modifying Tech Talk Pump for DIY parts washer. Suggestions ?

Hi guys,

Thinking of whipping up my own little parts washer, but not sure what to use as a pump. I was after something cheap, or better, something I might be able to salvage from some old equipment,

Has anyone made a parts washer?. What do you use as a pump?

I have an air compressor here, but I need to buy an air hose for it. I think I have one of those guns that attach to it, where you fill with cleaning agent, and spray, but was thinking of something a little less high pressure, a little more "doing the dishes".

Regarding the cleaning part. What 'de-greaser/cleaning agent' do you guys find works best? I've use different things in the past (aerosol parts cleaner, dish-washing liquid, CT14 de-greaser, petrol/diesel), though some kinda work, nothing really destroys the thick greasy/oily build up. I try using a tooth brush, which helps to some degree, but it always clogs up, and there's always a layer of greasy/oily dirt on the parts I can't seem to remove. So if there's any chemical that just really breaks it down so I can easily hose off, feel free to post

Thoughts ?

Maybe the pump from a windscreen washer reservoir might be useful.
As for substance, kerosene works well in softening black greasy gunk, but I wouldn't use it in a parts washer. I believe water based solvents can be purchased for them.

Only thing I can suggest
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/jimy-Pump-for-20-Gallon-90Litre-Parts-Washer/182634151801?

At one time they made part washers that could handle mineral spirits but I have not seen any lately, only water base units. There some very engine cleaning soaps on the market now. Here I use a product call Purple Power ( available my auto parts supplier) that I use with my engine cleaning wand connected to my air compressor. It cleans about as well as 2 cycle fuel mix. Both however requires a rinse afterwards. The soap is biodegradable and is a safer to use for you and the environment though normal personal protection should still be use.

Btw using 2 cycle mix is very dangerous as it is an explosion hazard just waiting to happen.

If you wish to use mineral spirits or kerosene I think an electric fuel pump should be able to handle it as are designed fuels. Just note I haven't tried it.

Either way if you are using dip soaking you still the cleaning fluid to be circulating and filtered. Just makes cleaning faster.

It'd be neat to convert an old bath tub with a circulating solvent system you can bathe an entire mower in, ready to tear it down without fear of dirt ingress.

Thanks Mowerfreak, I'll check out the washer pump . Any recommendations on a solvent?


Thanks Norm . Seems that's a water based solvent only pump too. Any idea how it might compare to a windscreen washer pump ?


Thanks AVB . I think I've heard of 'Purple Power', though being in Australia, there's many products you guys have which are good, but we can't get here .

Is a 2-cycle fuel mix the same as 2-stroke? If so, that would be similar to Diesel in regards to cleaning, wouldn't it ? I've used both Petrol, and Diesel, for cleaning, both seem to do a decent job (with some agitation) , but they smell, and I don't think they get along with plastics, lol.

I also use Kero from time to time, though didn't think to use a fuel pump (from a car)... wonder what sort of pressure/flow the output is? Reckon that would handle water based solvents fine also ?

I picked up an old stainless steel laundry tub from the side of the road, so my idea was to stick a container of degreaser inside the cabinet under the sink, cover it with a stocking, or other filtration mesh, then hook up a pump from the solvent to a hose+brush for cleaning, then the solvent can drain back into the container, hopefully being filtered (to some degree).

I'v got one of those engine cleaning guns for an air compressor too, that I might hook up to the solution, but have to buy a hose for the compressor first.

Just it same thing just different terminology. Actually cleans a little better as the gasoline cuts greasy stuff better. Just a major fire hazard which is why it should be use outdooors and definitely no smoking around it. Don't like a gas thief here that lit a match to see there any gas in the gas tank as he wasn't able to siphon any out. Boom, NO hair, and long horsepital (hospital) stay.

I use my Ozito pressure blaster for external, and a but of degrease or kero for internals.....
cheers
speedy

Only problem I see with a fuel pump or windscreen washer pump (probably too small) is that the grit and rubbish that ends up in the liquid is very abrasive and would probably damage them very quickly

That why I suggested a filter but there are pumps on the market that can chemicals or at they are on my side of the pond.

Chemical pumps

Thanks guys,

What's the best sort of (DIY) filter would you guys recommend ? maybe two filters, one for the output (from container > pump/hose), one for the drainage back into the container ?

Having the pump above the bottom of the tank is the best starting point so and heavy particles can sink to the bottom

If you need to buy a pump for around $40 it would make more sense just buying a complete unit on eBay The eBay Link Here

If you have the parts and want to build one for free then Click Here for ideas.

I was thinking if it was not used very often you could use two 20 litre drums and gravity feed the washer from the top drum and then when the lower drum
is full swap them over.

Cheers Max.