CraigMBA

We have a functioning solvent tank/parts washer at my local coop.

Way back in the dark ages, I used mineral spirits or similar solvent purchased from my local oil jobber. California outlawed that stuff about 20 years ago, so it's a no go now.

Anyone got any ideas for cleaning out heavy and dried out grease, or cleaning up gunked up cassettes?

Bill Abbey

Dawn dish detergent, citrus cleaner, then denatured alcohol. Simple green works as well.

CraigMBA

I've experimented with Simple Green, and found it to be wholly inadequate. Zep Citrus Cleaner has been slightly better, but not good enough.

dsbrantjr

Smuggle some mineral spirits in from NV or OR?

bakerjw

Kerosene is banned in Ca.???
Or diesel???

mixteup

Diesel will work fine - It just takes longer to dry and stop smelling

TimothyH

Safety Kleen / Armakleen make a full line of aqueous parts washer chemicals.

https://www.safety-kleen.com/product...nt-chemistries

mixteup

Safety Clean is great - The auto restoration shops I worked in (years ago) had that set up.
The only thing, is that IIRC, you have to set up an account with them, and rent their parts washers, etc.
If the co-op can pay for it, certainly the way to go.

Le Mechanic

We use this at the shop I work. In my opinion, it works as well as anything I've ever used.

TimothyH

I didn't notice that the OP was in a coop.

They might have a discount for non-profit or community service organizations. A five minute phone call can't hurt. You never know unless you ask.


-Tim-

Crankycrank

Odorless Mineral Spirits is still very available here in San Diego at all hardware stores and many other counties in Cali. You might check around some other areas on your next trip out of SM.

CraigMBA

I used to be in a automotive service related business. You can't use any of those solvents in California for a host of regulatory reasons.

I agree, but it's not cost effective. I know the guy who came up with the filter that Safety Kleen uses in their service. His employer made tens of millions on his work.

It tried, it's a no go. I need like two gallons of something that I can buy over the counter that isn't a petroleum distillate, because....


Oh, I can get mineral spirits or diesel just fine, it's just not legal to use in that way. I don't want to put the co op in the cross hairs of environmental health or air quality management. Using that sort of material is asking for problems from local authorities. Nobody has had a solvent tank like this in over 20 years, notwithstanding I'm in the home of the original "straw ban". And the CoOp board of directors would likely frown upon it.

At this juncture, Im inclined to get an ultrasonic parts cleaner and use Zep Citrus Degreaser at full strength, and trash the solvent tank.

CliffordK

Do you have an ultrasonic cleaner? It should help no matter what you choose to use as a solvent. Many of them also have a heat mode.

reburns

CliffordK

Talk to your local auto parts store. They should have some ideas.

CraigMBA

They haven't had any solutions for 20 years. Well, they have, but they aren't legal in California.

This isn't my AQMD, but it'll give you an idea of what it's like:

https://www.baaqmd.gov/~/media/files/..._16_102104.pdf

mixteup

There's lots of aqueous de-greasers out there, but you still have to dispose of them somehow, when they get saturated -
What's the deal with that in CA?

TimothyH

You're a good man.


-Tim-

CliffordK

Yes, and I've heard that many are quite good, especially when added to the ultrasonic.

Evaporate on the back porch? Then dump the solids?

CraigMBA

You mean like this?

https://www.dtsc.ca.gov/PollutionPre...leanAuto02.pdf


I sincerely appreciate you saying that, but I assure you I'm not.

Marcus_Ti

Ultrasonic cleaner. It'll buzz off a ton of caked on goo even with just water and a bit of heat. Even a small-medium sized on from Harbor Freight will do cassettes. and chains

AnkleWork

I've done a lot of work in environmental remediation, but I'm not an expert. Two things:

1. Detergent and ultrasonics may need some help for "heavy and dried out grease...gunk." Bureaucrats want you to think and act in black and white, e.g. total ban vs. fines and penalties, but regulations have limits. The best solution is in the middle ground. What are the limits of the regulations and allowed uses? Maybe for pre-soak, a smaller quantity of VOCs in a closed container or maybe spray with an even smaller quantity then cover and let stand could be OK? Something else? The regulators will not help you find anything other than their agenda.


2. Detergent needs water for maximum effect. Depending on the packaged concentration, you'll almost certainly need dilution.

Crankycrank

Don't waste your time with the Zep Citrus and Ultra cleaner. I've tried this combo and does next to nothing for heavy spooge grease such as on chains and bearings even with hot solution.

CraigMBA

I think I have found a solution.

Update: we are going to purchase one of these:

https://www.amazon.com/OEMTOOLS-2480.../dp/B01GSKA1CM

And use this aqueous parts cleaning solution:

https://chemfree.com/portfolio-items...rtfolioCats=47

Total cost will be budget friendly under $250, and if properly maintained, should last indefinately, with no MSDS, fire, OSHA, or AQMD concerns.

Thank you to everyone who helped!

mixteup

Budget for gloves :

https://www.amazon.com/Chemical-Resi...ateway&sr=8-22

Those thin, stretchy, nitrile disposables won't work for this kind of duty.