Parts Washers & Cleaners

Parts Washer Selection — Quick Reference

Parts washers automate parts cleaning that would otherwise be manual scrubbing. Selection turns on cleaning volume (occasional vs production), contamination type (light oil vs baked-on), and chemistry (solvent vs aqueous — EPA + workplace safety matters).

Chemistry choice: Solvent-based = fast cutting BUT flammable + environmentally controlled (waste = hazardous waste). Aqueous = slower BUT safer, EPA-friendly, easier waste disposal. Alkaline cleaners = best for baked-on. Specialty = carbon removal, paint stripping, rust dissolution. Brands: Septone (AU-made parts cleaning chemistry — degreasers, citrus, specialist washing fluids). Companion: cleaning chemicals, degreasers, Septone, industrial degreaser guide.

Parts Washers and Cleaners

A parts washer is the workshop tool that separates parts cleaning from manual scrubbing — a tank or sink that holds cleaning fluid, a brush or spray for application, and a recirculating pump that keeps fluid flowing across the workpiece. For automotive, industrial, and maintenance workshops, a proper parts washer is the difference between thorough cleaning and a half-job that comes back to the bench. AIMS Industrial supplies parts washers and parts cleaning chemistry for trade workshops.

The parts washer types we stock

• Manual parts washers — sink-and-pump style with a flexible nozzle and brush, the everyday workshop tool
• Recirculating parts washers — larger units with built-in pumps, filters, and parts baskets for higher-volume work
• Heated parts washers — temperature-controlled units for tougher cleaning where warmer fluid speeds the work
• Aqueous (water-based) parts washers — newer designs using detergent-based cleaning chemistry instead of solvents
• Mobile parts washers — wheeled units that move between bays

Cleaning chemistry — what to use

• Solvent-based degreasers — fast-cutting, well-suited to oil and grease removal, but flammable and environmentally controlled
• Aqueous degreasers — water-based, less flammable, better environmental profile, but slower-cutting on heavy contamination
• Alkaline cleaners — strong detergent action, suit baked-on contamination and process residues
• Specialty cleaners — for specific applications (carbon removal, paint stripping, rust dissolving)

Brands stocked at AIMS

Septone is the core Australian-made brand for parts cleaning chemistry — degreasers, citrus-based cleaners, and specialist parts washing fluids well-supported across Australian workshops. CRC stocks complementary degreasers and cleaners. We can source parts washer equipment through our distribution channels — from compact bench units to floor-standing recirculating washers.

Sizing and selection

Match the washer to the parts being cleaned. A small bench washer suits hand-held parts (carburettors, small brackets, fasteners). A floor-standing washer suits larger components (gearbox housings, engine parts). For very large or heavy parts, an open-top recirculating washer with a parts basket and lifting access is the right choice. Capacity ratings (volume in litres, max parts size) drive the spec.

Operating practice

Replace cleaning fluid before it becomes saturated — washer fluid that's already loaded with contamination cleans much less effectively than fresh fluid. Filter or settle out swarf and large debris regularly. Rinse cleaned parts after washing if the fluid is one that leaves residue (some aqueous cleaners need rinse, most solvents flash off cleanly).

Disposal

Used cleaning fluids are regulated waste in most Australian jurisdictions. Don't pour to drains or general waste — most workshops contract a chemical waste collection service for solvent and contaminated fluid disposal. Aqueous cleaners with appropriate filtration may be reusable with periodic make-up; solvent-based fluids generally need replacement when contamination is high.

Need help speccing a parts washer or selecting cleaning chemistry? contact our team — we'll match equipment and chemistry to your work type.

Australian industries that drive parts washer and cleaner demand

Parts washers and industrial cleaners are the workhorses of every Australian workshop that strips, services and rebuilds mechanical equipment. The buyer segments at AIMS span automotive workshops and engine reconditioners (where bench-top solvent parts washers handle the daily strip-clean-inspect cycle on engine, transmission and brake components), heavy vehicle and earthmoving MRO (where larger floor-standing parts washers handle hydraulic cylinder rods, valve bodies and gear components), mining and resources workshops (where high-throughput parts washers handle bearings, shafts and assemblies during overhaul cycles), agricultural workshops (where the seasonal post-harvest equipment service pulls every bearing, chain and gear through a parts washer), industrial machinery MRO (where parts washer use is daily across pump, motor and gearbox rebuilds), and the general engineering workshop (where the parts washer sits next to the bench and gets used on every job that involves grease and grime).

Beyond the parts washer itself, the broader industrial cleaner category covers aerosol degreasers (instant clean-down for assemblies that aren't easily moved to a tank), bulk solvent and water-based degreasers (for soak tanks and pressure-washer feed), brake and clutch cleaners (specifically formulated for the rubber compatibility required on brake and clutch components), citrus-based and non-petroleum cleaners (for workshops where solvent VOC exposure or odour is a workplace consideration), and electrical contact cleaners (for switchgear, contactors and electronic assemblies where residue cannot be tolerated).

How to choose between solvent, water-based and aqueous parts washers

Three solution chemistries cover the parts-washer market and each has a clear best-use case. Solvent-based parts washers (mineral spirits, paraffinic solvents, white spirit equivalents) are the traditional workshop standard — they cut petroleum grease and oil fast, evaporate cleanly, leave no residue, and the typical bench-top unit holds 20-60 litres of solvent that gets changed periodically. The honest trade-off is solvent VOC exposure, flammability classification (Class 3 dangerous goods storage applies above quantity thresholds), and the disposal cost of spent solvent through a licensed waste contractor. Water-based parts washers use detergent solution heated to 50-70°C, often with agitation or spray manifolds, and trade speed for VOC reduction. They're slower than solvent on heavy grease but eliminate flammability and reduce workplace solvent exposure — increasingly the spec for shops where WHS compliance documentation is audited. Aqueous spray-cabinet washers (sometimes called immersion-spray combination) heat the detergent solution to 60-80°C and pump it through spray manifolds inside an enclosed cabinet — they handle high-throughput production-rate cleaning and are the standard for large MRO workshops and engine reconditioning shops.

Tank capacity sizing tracks the typical part size and daily throughput. Bench-top units (20-40L tank, 600×400mm work area) suit hand tools, small assemblies and brake components. Floor-standing units (60-120L tank, 1000×600mm work area) suit cylinder rods, valve bodies and medium assemblies. Larger floor units (200L+ tank, 1500×800mm work area) suit gearbox components, pump assemblies and the heavier MRO range. Aqueous spray cabinets cover similar work area sizes with the throughput rate stepped up significantly.

Australian standards and compliance considerations

Several Australian standards touch the parts washer workspace. AS/NZS 4452 covers the storage and handling of toxic substances including the solvent-based parts washer solution. AS 1940 covers flammable and combustible liquids storage — solvent-based parts washer fluids in workshop quantities typically fall under the Class 3 flammable liquid framework with associated separation distances, signage and spill response requirements. WHS Workplace Exposure Standards set airborne exposure limits for the solvent vapours — adequate workshop ventilation is the practical compliance answer for bench-top solvent washers, with mechanical extraction being the safer engineering control. The Safe Work Australia framework requires Safety Data Sheets (SDS) on site for every chemical in use, including the parts washer solvent and any aerosol degreasers, brake cleaners and contact cleaners stocked in the workshop. The audit-ready workshop has an SDS folder accessible to all staff and a written chemical risk assessment for the parts washer area.

Brand depth — what AIMS stocks and why

AIMS Industrial stocks parts washers and industrial cleaners from manufacturers with proven Australian workshop track records. CRC is the headline aerosol degreaser, brake cleaner, contact cleaner and citrus-cleaner brand at AIMS — CRC Brakleen, CRC Contact Cleaner, CRC SmartWasher and the full degreaser range are workshop standards across Australia and the matched range covers nearly every quick-clean job. Purasolve is the dedicated parts washing chemistry brand — biodegradable, low-toxicity solvent and water-based formulations designed specifically for parts-washer use, with the workplace exposure and environmental footprint dropped well below traditional mineral-spirit solvent. CRC SmartWasher in particular uses Purasolve-compatible biodegradable solution that breaks down petroleum contamination biologically rather than just dissolving and holding it — the spent-solution disposal cost is dramatically lower than traditional solvent. Supporting industrial cleaner range covers bulk citrus cleaners, water-soluble degreasers and pressure-washer detergents for the broader workshop wash-down side.

Cross-link to AIMS chemicals and workshop ecosystem

The parts washer and cleaner range connects to the broader AIMS lubrication, chemicals and workshop equipment category. Companion ranges: CRC brand collection for the full CRC product ecosystem, Purasolve brand collection for the dedicated parts-wash chemistry, degreasers for the broader degreaser category, cleaning chemicals for the wider chemical cleaning range, aerosols for spray-can format products, lubrication for post-clean re-lubrication products, workshop tools and equipment for the broader workshop kit, and cleaning supplies for the wider workshop cleaning consumables. For the rag and wipe complement see cleaning rags and wipes.

Common questions about parts washers and industrial cleaners

How often should I change the solvent in a bench-top parts washer?

Solvent life depends on the workload. A workshop running the parts washer for a few hours a week on light cleaning gets 6-12 months on a fill. A heavy-use shop running it daily on greasy components saturates the solvent in 4-8 weeks — at saturation the solvent stops cleaning effectively and starts depositing dissolved contamination back onto the parts being cleaned. The visual test is colour — clean solvent looks like the original product, contaminated solvent looks dark brown to black. The honest practical answer for most workshops is plan on changing solvent quarterly and replace earlier if the cleaning performance drops. Track the change date on the unit so the disposal cost lands in the budget.

Is the CRC SmartWasher genuinely better than traditional solvent washers?

For workshops where WHS solvent exposure documentation matters, yes — SmartWasher uses biodegradable water-based solution rather than petroleum solvent, so the VOC exposure drops dramatically and the flammability classification disappears. The cleaning speed is honestly slower than petroleum solvent on heavy grease, but the spent-solution disposal cost is dramatically lower because the solution can typically go to general waste rather than licensed dangerous-goods disposal. For shops processing dozens of parts a day where the audit framework is tight, SmartWasher is the right specification. For shops with occasional use and an existing solvent disposal arrangement, traditional bench-top solvent washers remain perfectly serviceable.

Can I use brake cleaner instead of dedicated parts washer solvent?

Brake cleaner is a fast-evaporating chlorinated or non-chlorinated solvent designed for one-off spray-and-evaporate cleaning of brake and clutch components where the residue must be zero before reassembly. It's not designed for soak cleaning in a tank — the formulation evaporates too fast for tank use and the cost per litre is far higher than parts washer solvent. Use brake cleaner for its intended job (spray clean of brake components, electrical assemblies that must dry residue-free) and use dedicated parts washer solvent for the bench-top tank.

What's the right cleaner for electrical and electronic assemblies?

For energised electrical assemblies (switchgear, contactors, electronic boards) specify a non-conductive, non-residue contact cleaner — CRC Contact Cleaner and the CRC 2-26 range are the workshop standards. These cleaners evaporate completely without leaving conductive residue and are formulated to be safe on plastic insulators, rubber seals and the broader electrical hardware ecosystem. Don't use petroleum-based degreaser on energised electrical work — the residue creates leakage paths and the chemistry can attack rubber seals.

How do I dispose of spent parts washer solvent legally?

Spent petroleum solvent from a parts washer is regulated waste in every Australian state. The standard disposal route is collection by a licensed liquid waste contractor — the spent solvent goes into a sealed drum or IBC, the contractor collects, and a disposal certificate is provided. Costs vary by state and quantity but typically work out to $2-5 per litre for collection and disposal. The audit-ready workshop holds the disposal certificates as evidence of compliant chemical waste management. Don't pour solvent down workshop drains, onto the ground, or into general waste — penalties under state environment protection legislation are significant.

Do water-based parts washers really clean as well as solvent?

For light-to-medium grease and oil they clean comparably given enough heat and agitation — heated water-based solution at 60-70°C with detergent and the right dwell time handles most workshop cleaning jobs. For heavy carbon deposits and baked-on grease, solvent still works faster. The honest spec for most workshops is a water-based aqueous spray cabinet for the daily volume work, plus a bench-top solvent washer for the heavy and stubborn jobs. For workshops where solvent exposure is a documented WHS concern, water-based covers more of the work each year as the chemistry improves.

For parts washer selection matched to your part size and daily throughput, or quotes on CRC and Purasolve industrial cleaning chemistry, contact our team.

People Also Ask — Parts Washers and Cleaners

Q: What types of parts washers are available?

Manual parts washer (solvent tank with hand brush): traditional workshop standard, solvent-filled tank, manual scrubbing. Spray washer (cabinet with rotating spray nozzles): automated cleaning, faster than manual, larger parts capacity. Aqueous (water-based) washer: uses heated water + detergent, environmentally safer than solvent, suitable for most workshop cleaning. Ultrasonic cleaner: small intricate parts, precision cleaning. Match to typical part size, soil type, and throughput.

Q: Solvent or aqueous parts washer?

Solvent (mineral spirits, kerosene-type): cuts heavy grease and oil quickly, dries fast, but generates VOC emissions and disposal waste. Workshop heritage standard. Aqueous: uses water + biodegradable detergent + heat, environmentally cleaner, suitable for most cleaning. Slightly slower than solvent for heavy grease. Modern workshops increasingly switching to aqueous for environmental and health reasons. For oil-soaked engine parts and heavy degreasing, solvent still has advantages. For general parts cleaning, aqueous is the modern standard.

Q: What size parts washer do I need?

Match parts washer tank or basket size to your largest typical part + safety margin. Small bench-top units: 30-60L capacity, suitable for trade vehicle workshop. Workshop standard: 80-200L tank, handles medium engine and automotive parts. Industrial production: 300-1000L+ tanks. For occasional cleaning of small parts, bench-top is sufficient. For workshop daily use on larger components, mid-size workshop unit pays back through efficiency.

Q: How do I dispose of used parts washer solvent?

Used solvent is regulated industrial waste — cannot be poured down drains or disposed of in general waste. Options: (1) commercial solvent recycling service collects spent solvent, supplies clean solvent (cost-effective for high-volume users), (2) on-site distillation recovery (high-volume workshops only), (3) disposal through licensed hazardous waste contractor. Aqueous parts washer effluent is easier — separated oil to oily-waste recovery, water passes through workshop oil-water separator before discharge. Verify with your state EPA for current requirements.

Q: Parts washer detergent vs degreaser?

Parts washer detergent (aqueous systems): designed for heated parts washer operation, low-foam, biodegradable, won't damage the washer pump and seals. Industrial degreaser (spray-on, surface application): designed for hand cleaning or spray cleaning of larger surfaces, may be solvent-based or aqueous. Don't substitute one for the other — wrong chemistry damages parts washer pumps and seals. Use the parts washer manufacturer's recommended detergent for warranty compliance.