Parts washer upgrade

[Busboy]

I have made an amazing improvement on my Harbor Freight parts washer. I bought a closeout water heater element at Home Depot for 5.00. It is rated at 1500 watts and operates on 110 volts. I drilled a hole in the side of the tank and installed the heater element with its O-ring and locknut on the inside. It absolutely doesn't leak and the results are amazing! I use a water based heavy duty degreaser from Home Depot. It was only about 10.00 for a gallon. This combination of heat and degreaser will take the paint off of oil pans easily. It gets so hot that after an hour I have to turn it off because the steam is so great. It takes about an hour to heat up to full temp.

[Wilfred of Ivanhoe]

Wait, it will take the paint off?! as in a home made blaster alternative?

[KRob]

Yeah, please confirm that it takes paint off and so forth.

Can you give us a link for the degreaser you use.

[Busboy]

I used Purple Power.

[48prerunner]

Do you have to wear rubber gloves?

[jtw46]

I have switched from a solvent based cleaner to water based SUPER CLEAN (about $9 gal. Walmart) because it is much safer, a reasonable price, and works as well in the parts tank or as a spray-on. It will take paint off as well so be careful.

[geradr4]

I recommend using a 100% biodiesel. It cleans good and is environment-friendly.

[basketcase0302]

"geradr4"]I recommend using a 100% biodiesel. It cleans good and is environment-friendly.

I kept a 5 gallon bucket of regular diesel around for some 10 years using it as parts cleaner-works well.