What do you guys use...

[fearofpavement]

I've found that the dirtiest, nastiest looking "barn find" saws usually clean up very nicely. Seems all that grime forms a protective layer on the plastic and metal.
I clean nasty ones like that in my gunk tank/parts washer which is filled with kerosene. (JetA) and was previously filled with mineral spirits until that got too expensive. An old paintbrush and plenty of solvent, small screwdriver, putty knife and an air compressor blow nozzle. (wear safety glasses)

 

[JeffGu]

I always start with my power washer. Saves a lot of work and mess.

 

[Magic_Man]

When it's warm enough outside to use the water hose I use automotive wheel and tire cleaner.

 

[Mastermind]

I just use an ultrasonic cleaner with Mean Green cut with water. The parts all come out clean, but faded plastics are still faded of course. I've never spent much time polishing anything.....but a little tire gel on a rag livens them back up real fast.

 

[Stump Shot]

Been using a stiff plastic bristled automotive detail brush dry to get the vast majority of the stuff off quickly, either blow off with air and put back into service, or if 100% is desired, then I go to cleaning with degreaser.

 

[drf256]

Straight purple power.

But it will remove any luster. Mothers Tire Gel afterwards. Gives it a nice sheen.

 

[Sty57]

So what do you guys like for parts washers?
Mineral spirits, kerosene, lacquer thinner.......

 

[jk14]

I'm using mineral spirits in my parts washer and it seems cut through the crud pretty good. I've also ran it with kerosene and or diesel in the past which also works.

 

[merc_man]

Spray nine and a little elbow greese.

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[junkman]

When i get stihls and plastics have a white oxidation layer on them ,i soak them multiple times with my red bar oil ,after a while the white layer get mosturized enough it goes away.

 

[fearofpavement]

So what do you guys like for parts washers?
Mineral spirits, kerosene, lacquer thinner.......

Either the mineral spirits or kerosene work well. Diesel is too oily, lacquer thinner is too volatile (dangerously flammable) and is pretty nasty stuff. It contains MEK and a number of other chemicals which you want to avoid breathing if at all possible.
I use JetA because it's readily available in bulk at a local airport and is pretty cheap. The dispensing nozzles are wide (to prevent it from being put into an avgas burning airplane) so I use 5 gallon pails with the lids removed when I pump it. I guess a 5 gallon jerry can would work too if it has the large diameter lid.

 

[trooney]

Well, it cleaned up pretty well. Used a combination of approaches mentioned. I think I'll try bleche-white on a small area to see what happens. Not perfect but a heck of alot better. Aint looking for no shelf queen here. Top covers are a little faded but I'll get them looking better. Got to buy me an ultrasonic cleaner though...

 

[drf256]

Don't ever put top covers or metal badges in a USC with purple power. It's the only detergent I've used and it will strip the letters off a metal badge completely and fully roughen the plastics.

 

[JeffGu]

Yeah.. Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK) is really nasty stuff... one of the worst carcinogens out there... works like a charm, but dangerous stuff.