Stoddard solvent substitute

My parts washer tank needs to be topped up, so I went looking for the usual Stoddard solvent that I have used for the last 35 years. HOLY MOLY Andy, the price is STUPID!!! I don't use it enough to even consider the ridiculous prices so I'm looking for an economical substitute.

I don't know how my pump and tank would stand up to water-based solvents, plus it is in an unheated area so I would need to empty it after every use in the winter. VERY inconvenient! Push comes to shove, I'll just dump what I have left and forget about it.

Anyone have any ideas for a reasonably priced alternative?

mineral spirits - paint thinner - look up an MSDS for stoddard solvent - if you are near an auto repair facility that has Safety Kleen service their washers the drivers will usually give you some used solvent - from another forum - hope this helps -

[ I get impression that "Stoddard solvent", "Mineral spirit", "Mineral Turpentine", and "White spirit" are all the same. ]

The problem is Safety Kleen will not go to a residential neighborhood anymore, and they also will not remove fluid unless they are the supplier. So if you plan to use Safety Kleen you need to know someone with a business where the filling and disposal can occur.

I had a friend who found that diesel fuel is a viable alternative to Stoddard Solvent. Then he tried calling Safety Kleen to dispose of it after it was dirty. They don't do that.

I recommend you bite the bullet and call Safety Kleen.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by schutzen-jager

mineral spirits - paint thinner - look up an MSDS for stoddard solvent - if you are near an auto repair facility that has Safety Kleen service their washers the drivers will usually give you some used solvent - from another forum - hope this helps -

[ I get impression that "Stoddard solvent", "Mineral spirit", "Mineral Turpentine", and "White spirit" are all the same. ]

---

I have heard it is mineral spirits as well.

In any case, most municipalities have a few days a year that take solvents for disposal. If Safety Kleen is what you decide to get, getting rid of it should not be too difficult.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Tall

The problem is Safety Kleen will not go to a residential neighborhood anymore, and they also will not remove fluid unless they are the supplier. So if you plan to use Safety Kleen you need to know someone with a business where the filling and disposal can occur.

I had a friend who found that diesel fuel is a viable alternative to Stoddard Solvent. Then he tried calling Safety Kleen to dispose of it after it was dirty. They don't do that.

I recommend you bite the bullet and call Safety Kleen.

---

my reference was to obtaining a small used quantity from repair facility that uses it - before i retired my service manager would get a gallon of used when they replaced it in our 9 parts washers + he would strain it thru paint filters for use in parts washer at his home -

Roysha,
If you can convert your parts washer to a separate tank, A simple drain hose into the open top and a quick couple to the pump. You an then easily take the tank with water based solvents to a warm area when needed. A 2 gallon gas can or bottle would work. If the opening is big enough then both lines could run down thru it. I use simple green precision in my parts washer with this type set up. Takes about 2 mins to hook up and disconnect. Also when cleaning the tank you can easily take the tank out

Most places near me us diesel.

Diesel stinks, though.

Safety-Kleen has to be Haz-Mat licensed, and has to account for every gallon. Been that way for decades.

Naptha is about as close to Stoddard solvent as you will find.

WD-40 principle ingredient is Stoddard Solvent.

Take it from there.....

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/pr...-cleaner-5-gal

Not showing me a price.......

$49.95 at my local TS Store and available from 8 of the 9 stores which surround me.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by poorman

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/pr...-cleaner-5-gal

---

Thank you for that link.

There is a TSC just 9 miles down the road from me and they claim to have it in stock, so I'm going to check it out.

I don't know why it never came up what I did a search for parts cleaning solvents. Most everything I found was that much or more per gallon.

Stoddard solvent is aliphatic mineral spirits if you search by the generic chemical name.

But as parts cleaner I have successfully used K1 kerosene as well as Jet A turbine fuel.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Outpost75

Stoddard solvent is aliphatic mineral spirits if you search by the generic chemical name.

But as parts cleaner I have successfully used K1 kerosene as well as Jet A turbine fuel.

---

Worked in a refinery for years and this is spot on...

From the Klean Strip Kerosene SDS:

Stoddard solvent {Mineral spirits; Aliphatic
Petroleum Distillates; White spirits} 80.0 -100.0 %

About $16/gal and some places sell it by the quart.
---------------------------------------------------
Klean Strip Odorless Mineral Spirits SDS

Hydrotreated light distillate (petroleum, mineral
spirits) 100.0 %

I use diesel due to price.. odorless kerosene would work.. mineral spirits with or without naptha would work...

Not all "mineral spirits" are equal. I used "odorless mineral spirits" interchangeable with Stoddard Solvent in the tannery for years.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Outpost75

Stoddard solvent is aliphatic mineral spirits if you search by the generic chemical name.

But as parts cleaner I have successfully used K1 kerosene as well as Jet A turbine fuel.

---

Just for information's sake, Jet A is kerosene and naptha. As a cleaning fluid, works very well, and dries off better than diesel. Still a tad oily, when dry, if you are going to paint the surface.