Automotive Parts Washer Information

If your job or shop requires you to clean a lot of parts, then you most likely need a automotive parts washer.  Most of these types of washers use a pump to circulate the cleaning fluid through the reservoir. Some come with simple screen filters and others come with multiple filters. Obviously the more filters used, the cleaner the solvent remains but that cost savings may be offset by the time to clean (or replace) the filters.

The big thing you should look for is performance. An automotive parts washer or any other type of parts washer will have a number of factors that affect it's overall performance. For really heavy duty use you may want to consider a industrial parts washer.

Automotive Parts Washer Considerations

1. Cleaning solutions. With the government and the EPA rules and regulations to contend with, many shops are now opting for water based solvents. Just remember that just because the solvent carries a non-hazardous label, that does not necessarily mean you can just put the dirty solution down the drain. The chemicals picked up during the cleaning process must be considered too. So be careful that you don't end up with a large fine for polluting by improperly disposing of the cleaning solution.

On the other hand there are cleaner solutions that are petroleum based. Things like mineral spirits fall into this category. Nearly all petroleum based parts cleaning solutions emit hazardous vapors. You must use proper ventilation equipment when using these types of solvents. Perhaps just as important as the hazardous vapors is the fact that these solvents can be a fire hazard with flash points that can be dangerous. Some of these types of solutions have flash points as low as 140 degrees. If you use petroleum based solutions, you must take extra safety precautions. Extra care in the use as well as extra care in the storage must be considered. Lastly, the proper disposal of dirty petroleum cleaning solutions may prove to be costly.

2. Cleaning solutions part 2. Now that you know about the types of cleaning solutions, you should consider the next factors. If you use water based solvents, then in nearly all cases it must be heated in order to clean effectively. That coupled with the fact that water based solvents can cost up to 50% more than their petroleum based counterparts makes a lot of people lean towards the petroleum based solvents. Another cost of the water based solution is the cost of the electricity used to heat the cleaning solution.

But, if you use petroleum based solutions, then you must factor the cost of getting rid of the dirty solution as determined by law.

3. Filters. Parts washers with multiple filters are designed to extend the operating life of the cleaning solution. Some use multiple filters along with a skimmer filter to keep the cleaning solution useable for a much longer period of time. Plus, a skimmer filter will catch any oils that happen to get into the cleaner if you are using water based cleaning solution since oil floats on water.

4. Size. Depending on the room you have available you may get by with a small bench top parts cleaner. Otherwise you may need a free standing unit. Keep in mind that bigger is not necessarily better since you will have to fill whatever automotive parts washer you purchase with cleaning solution.