# Need A Good Parts Washer Solvent

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/need-a-good-parts-washer-solvent/66123>\
**Category:** General Discussion\
**Created:** [July 10, 2011, 5:51pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/need-a-good-parts-washer-solvent/66123 "2011-07-10T17:51:54Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![DoctorPinto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b19c9b/32.png) [@DoctorPinto](https://community.cartalk.com/u/DoctorPinto)\
**Post date:** [July 10, 2011, 5:51pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/need-a-good-parts-washer-solvent/66123/1 "2011-07-10T17:51:54Z")

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I picked up a used parts washer and I’m trying to figure out what kind of solvent to fill it with. The local parts store has a bucket of CRC parts washer solvent, but they want $84.00 for 4 gallons. That’s nuts! A quick cruise around the internets shows that others had rust problems with water based solutions (my tank and drum are metal). Many suggest using mineral spirits. Does anyone out there have any experience with using mineral spirits? Would this be safe to use in a parts washer located in my garage? Do you have any other suggestions what I can use that’s not crazy expensive?

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**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\
**Post date:** [July 10, 2011, 5:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/need-a-good-parts-washer-solvent/66123/2 "2011-07-10T17:56:24Z")

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The stuff I got was from NAPA. You mix it with kerosene and seems to work just fine. A gallon has lasted years.

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**Author:** ![Rod-Knox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a183cd/32.png) [@Rod-Knox](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Rod-Knox)\
**Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 2:42am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/need-a-good-parts-washer-solvent/66123/3 "2011-07-12T02:42:15Z")

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Kerosene seems to work well. And several gallons of water below the pump pickup will trap a great deal of the trash.

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**Author:** ![pleasedodgevan2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ad7895/32.png) [@pleasedodgevan2](https://community.cartalk.com/u/pleasedodgevan2)\
**Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 4:16am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/need-a-good-parts-washer-solvent/66123/4 "2011-07-12T04:16:25Z")

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We used to have this stuff called GUNK. We still have it. Then there is this orange juice type of solvent which just smells funny if you liked GUNK. As you would expect, there are auto stores with different types. Harbor Freight Tools too.

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**Author:** ![TwinTurbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8baadc/32.png) [@TwinTurbo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TwinTurbo)\
**Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 10:40am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/need-a-good-parts-washer-solvent/66123/5 "2011-07-12T10:40:23Z")

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I’ve been using mineral spirits in mine for decades. No issues whatsoever.