Simple Green & Kerosene for Parts Cleaner

[suzukizone]

For years both at work & home I used a mixture of Simple Green & Kerosene in the parts cleaners. It worked great. BUT, the last time I mixed it up (50/50 ratio) I got this ugly brown mess that didn't clean at all. I must have forgotten the correct ratio.

Anyone out there ever use this mix, it cleaned as well as SafetyKleen, way cheaper, and smelled like, well, SG&K, not bad at all.

I might mix up a small batch, say a pint or so hoping to re-create the original formula. Man I hate the aging process as I can't remember much any more.

Thanks,

DH

[hannibal]

Just a thought: I dilute Simple Green with water and put it in a spray bottle. Are you supposed to use 50% concentrated Simple Green straight from the jug or 50% diluted Simple Green?

[suzukizone]

Kerosene or water?????

Just a thought: I dilute Simple Green with water and put it in a spray bottle. Are you supposed to use 50% concentrated Simple Green straight from the jug or 50% diluted Simple Green?

Hey Hannibal, not sure how to answer as my ? regarded the KEROSENE/SG mix ratio.

I have attempted to use just SG to clean my bike but found it too weak to handle the nasty engine/underside build up. It was sort of OK to do general bike surfaces and the wheels.
I am not sure that water dilution would improve its powers to disolve heavy grease and road grunge.

Anyway my question regarding the Kerosene formula was centered around cleaning dirty nasty items in my small (2 Gal size) parts cleaner. This mix was used as a substitute for Safety Kleen or Castrol solvent type chemicals.

I actually heard back from my friend who taught us this mix. He said to try 1/3 SG to 2/3 Kerosene, although like me, his aging brain is a bit addled. I am going to mix up a small 1:2 ration and see if that works. I think I had mixed the last batch @ 1:1 and immediately saw something was wrong.

Will post results as soon as I figure what is best. This is a good formula once I get it, used it for many years.

Thanks for your reply.

DH

[suzukizone]

Talon Concentrated All Purpose etc.

While trying to solve the parts cleaner solvent problem, I happened on this item:

https://www.fastenal.com/products/details/0618082

$12.99/gallon and in stock @ my Fastenal dealer. Does list auto parts and engines in the dilution info (no dilution tho for those items: straight outta the jug.) Says it is a "green" product, water based, biodegradable etc. Anyone ever use this?

They also carry (not in stock) most of the industrial Simple Green cleaners tho a bit pricier. ( https://simplegreen.com/industrial/products/ ) Wondering in particular about the "Crystal" & the "Aircraft Precision" versions. These are not the basic formula I get from Home Despot & other stores but I would guess stronger working formulas. Anyone ever use any of those?

I have given up on the mix I had used for years (regular Simple Green & Kerosene.) I did find a 2015 post I had put in stating we were using that combo in a 1:1 ratio and that was about the time it was working for me, dating back to about 2008 or 2009. I guess Simple Green changed the formula since then.

Well if anyone is familiar with either the Talon or SG Industrial variations I'd like to hear from you. Again I plan to use in my 25 year old cheesey little 2 gallon Harbor Fright washer.

Thanks, looking forward to a degreased life.

DH

[GregT]

Here in NZ, the engine reconditioners have had to change to environmentally friendly parts cleaning solutions. So have I as the really vicious stuff is off the market now. There are three cleaners supply houses local to me. All carry their own version of an automotive parts soaker. In 5 liter home use sizes too...
The best one I've found locally will make carboned up pistons come out looking like new. And it's reasonably priced.
So FWIW I'd recommend trying the specialist cleaning supplies houses first.