best degreaser for small parts

[ctfjr]

I often find myself painting small parts in the basement for various projects. The latest is automating my ssqa. I had to paint a small alum bracket to support the electrical connector.
I normally use spray contact cleaner. It does a very good job at removing just about everything but it is an expensive way to degrease. . .
Does anyone use a bucket with basket? If so what degreaser do you use in it?

 

[Tughill Tom]

Try Brake cleaner, I like the non-chlorinated type.

 

[Roadworthy]

Degreaser used to come with the basket in a bucket kits purchased at the auto parts store. For smaller stuff you could try acetone. It's sold in the paint department of big box stores and Ace. Caution - it melts many plastics.

 

[lynnmor]

I use dish soap and hot water, no fumes and relatively safe to use. If more cleaning power is needed, Purple Power will work. If water must be kept away, only then will I use parts cleaning chemicals.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Purple cleaner for really greasy ,oily or nasty stuff that can get water wet.
Brake parts cleaner, acetone, and denatured alcohol are my other go to methods.

 

[The Evil Twin]

I almost always use denatured alcohol for metals and ABS or HDPE. Fiberglass or materials sensitive to chemicals I'll use Dawn and water.

 

[Tughill Tom]

Just a note about Acetone, don't use it if there is any type of open flame anywhere need near you,i.e Pilot light, Furnace. It doesn't take a lot of it to make a BIG Boom and fire.

 

[hagrid]

Diesel fuel.

 

[armylifer]

I used to use petroleum based cleaning solvent but these days I just use gasoline or kerosene. When done cleaning parts I pour the used fluid into a used oil container for disposal the next time I get rid of used vehicle fluids such as motor oil or transmission fluid.

 

[DustyRusty]

Put it into the dishwasher in a corner where your wife will not notice it. Then make sure that you remove it before she empties the dishwasher. It it is big, do it while she isn't home. Dishwashers make cleaning wire wheel covers an easy task.

 

[SAR Tracker]

Purple Power, blue Dawn detergent, Zep Citrus

 

[ctfjr]

Thanks for all the replies! I think I'm going to try the Purple Power and the acetone.
My 1st experience with acetone type cleaners wasn't pleasant. I tried cleaning my scooter's windscreen with it. omg! throw that windscreen away.
The company I work for distributes Zep but I couldn't find anything appropriate in stock.

 

[Flintknapper]

Mineral Spirits is what I use in my parts cleaner. It lasts a long time, does a good job and is much less flammable than certain other products.

 

[pigdoc]

Purple Power.
It's cheap, and effective. I buy it in the big jug and then use a discarded throw-away spray bottle to apply it.
First, scrape off what you can with a putty knife or wire brush.
Let the parts soak in it for a few hours (re-apply if necessary), then rinse off. Use hot water, if you can.
It will discolor paint.

ATF is a great solvent, too, especially for heavy grease build-up. So, save the drained ATF when you renew the fluid in your car transmissions to use as cleaner! Follow up the ATF with a detergent if you're going to paint the part.

-Paul

 

[DustyRusty]

Make sure to use vinyl or latex gloves if you are using any of the purple products. Not only do they remove grease and grime, but they also deplete your skin of essential things such as skin! It is extremely caustic to your hands. Also, don't use it to clean any aluminum items.

 

[Lil Foot]

I buy non chlorinated brake cleaner by the case for my machine shop, and also use Purple Power, Zep, or Castrol Super Clean.
I find the much touted Simple Green to be simply useless.

I watch the garage & estate sales for various cleaners; I have bought lots of brake cleaner, carb cleaner, engine degreaser for cheap, and can usually buy partial cans for a quarter.

 

[DaveFromMi]

I use brake cleaner or kerosene depending on the situation.

 

[PoTreeBoy]

Anybody else use B52?
edit: OP said small parts. You can still get the cleaner in a can with the basket, $40/gal. Wow

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Thanks for all the replies! I think I'm going to try the Purple Power and the acetone.
My 1st experience with acetone type cleaners wasn't pleasant. I tried cleaning my scooter's windscreen with it. omg! throw that windscreen away.
The company I work for distributes Zep but I couldn't find anything appropriate in stock.

I use a lot of Zep products, Industrial purple, and Heavy Duty Citrus are both great, don't use Purple on aluminum that you want to stay shiney, as it will dull it!

 

[Flintknapper]

Anybody else use B52?
edit: OP said small parts.

Good for things like small engine carbs...etc, where you can let it sit overnight, but items I want to clean and use right away, I'll use Mineral Spirits followed by a quick blast of brake cleaner.