EhGiOeS

Just wondering is anybody using a vapor phase degreaser? Ed

Airburst

The idea of inhaling anything designed to remove grease doesn't appeal to me, and I doubt it appeals to many people either...

lineinthewater

It's good when that cold gets stuck in your chest.

dsbrantjr

Actually when operated correctly the vapor phase degreaser doesn't allow vapors to escape. They condense on a cold coil located around the top of the tank and flow back into the boiling liquid reservoir.

lineinthewater

Just curious, admittedly not knowing anything about vapor degreasers, what do you want to use it on?

FBinNY 

I used to use a vapor degreaser to clean parts back when I was running a decent size shop (not bike shop). It was economical and eddective using halogenated solvents, but when the restrictions on CFCs went in to effective, the cost of solvents got too high, and I phased out it's use.

EhGiOeS

One of the great joys of the internet is to be attacked by someone who has no idea what they're talking about. In this case and not being British but one of the lesser races we very seldom put bike parts up our noses to clean them. There are only two types of people in the world. Those who are British, and eternally blessed, and those who wish vainly they were. Ed

EhGiOeS

Just general bike parts. Back in the day you could make one for a few dollars worked great. Ed

lineinthewater

After reading a bunch of threads, I've been experimenting with the ultrasonic cleaners. I'm fairly impressed. 3 times through the longest timed phase, and my chain is very clean - most importantly between the links. Don't know if that would meet your needs, just throwing it out there.

HillRider

Years ago when I was working a summer job at a laboratory we had a vapor phase degreaser that used trichloroethane as the cleaning solvent. I vividly remember accidently sticking my hand below the cooling coil and right into the hot vapors. WOW, did my had get dried and "degreased" fast! I never made that mistake again.

onespeedbiker

I worked at my Dad's enameling shop for about 10 years. There we had a vapor degreaser that was about 4'x10'x 8' deep. It was always a bit unnerving looking down into that tank when the vapor was up to the coils. As more and more grease contaminated the Trichlore the temp to vaporize the Trichlore would rise and there was a acrid odor I can still smell 30 years later..thanks for reminding me.

3alarmer 

Set phase cannon to vaporize and all ahead warp nine............

3alarmer 

I think you'll find this to be the case still..........at least it is this way in California

Speak for yourself, you do not speak for me.

EhGiOeS

I think for anyone who is serious about bike maintenance a ultrasonic cleaner is very important. Nothing will clean a chain like UC. If you have a heated bathit also doubles as a Sous Vide cooker. Ed

EhGiOeS

What a brilliant insight. Its people like you that make the forum so exciting. Keep up the good work. You've got a fan here. Ed

EhGiOeS

[QUOTE=FBinNY;15271142]I used to use a vapor degreaser to clean parts back when I was running a decent size shop (not bike shop). It was economical and eddective using halogenated solvents, but when the restrictions on CFCs went in to effective, the cost of solvents got too high, and I phased out
I think a small homemade degreaser would be useful, Say a 2 or 3 gallon can with a half gallon of solvent. Ed

Looigi

The benefit of vapor degreasers is that they continually distill the solvent so the solvent applied to the part being cleaned, and subsequent vapor that condenses on the part being cleaned is free of contaminants allowing the part essentially free of any grease or lube. For bike parts, IMO, this level of cleanliness is not required or not necessarily that desirable.

3alarmer 

Thank you.................................subjects like yours bring out my best.

gmt13

I have seen many of these in industrial settings and have always been impressed with their performance. I would use one if I had access to one, but wouldn't think it cost effective to acquire one just for bike stuff.

-G

dsbrantjr

"I think a small homemade degreaser would be useful, Say a 2 or 3 gallon can with a half gallon of solvent."

Vapor degreasers are fairly complicated to operate properly; the amount of heat in the boiling sump and the cooling coils need to be fairly closely controlled to maintain the vapor blanket and to avoid vapor loss. This would be more problematic in a small system like you propose.

EhGiOeS

I used one for years, Just a can hot plate and a flat coil of copper tubing. If vapor starts escaping you just increase the water flow. Ed

3alarmer 

Dear Ed:

This explains a lot. Thanks.

FBinNY 

The problem isn't building a small DIY unit. It's the acvailability of decent non-flammable solvents. With the phase out of the halogenated solvents (contain chlorine, or fluorine) most of the reasonable priced solvents are flammable. That's OK with a well built well run commercial unit, but makes running anything that vaporizes solvents hazardous unless the vapors are 100% contained.

For home use on bike parts, a coffee can and solvent such as mineral spirits or naphtha work very effectively with a few rinses. The solvent can be recovered and stored in a closed container.

The solid dirt will settle out in a few days and the solvent reused, though eventually it loses effectiveness as it gets contaminated with oil. I keep used solvent in two classes, pretty oily for the the first wash, slightly oily for rinses, and I use fresh for the final rinse. As the solvents get oilier, I'll settle then discard the oiliest into my #2 fuel tank, and move each batch down.

onespeedbiker

BTW, while halogenated solvents are not flammable, when the get contaminated with oil it burns like crazy. I remember one time I was dipping some oily screens in some cold solvent prior to putting them into the hot tank. When attempted to pour the solvent back in the big tank, the tray slipped out of my hands and the solvent went down the side of the degreaser where the gas jets were that heated the solvent. My first though was, well it's not like it's flammable, that was until large yellow smokey flames came billowing from under the unit. Fortunately it did no real harm but it was a teachable moment.

EhGiOeS

A small unit is not going to use much solvent. For most of us a gallon would be a lifetime supply. I've got a 11/2 gallon Branson ultrasonic cleaner that works very well. I just like trying different things. Ed