can i combine diesel fuel and mineral spirits safely?

IIVIIoonshiner · 09-20-2006, 10:21 AM

I have a parts washer with a pump and sprayer in it that I am trying to fill up.... I had 5 gallons of parts washer (mineral spirits) and i put that in there but it is a 20 gallon parts washer so it's nowhere near full.... mineral spirits is 44$ a 5-gal around here which is too much.... the lid says I can run mineral spirits, some other stuff, and diesel fuel..... but it doesn't say if I can run them together? CAN I? or is this dangerous... I would like to go buy some diesel fuel and fill in the rest........

THANKS GUYS

Kreep · 09-20-2006, 11:32 AM

Diesel and mineral spirits will mix fine, not a dangerous combination.

But, algae can grom in diesel so I'm not sure I'd want to use in in something you store a long time, like a parts washer. Can you put the diesel in capped milk jugs or something? These would take up space so you'd need less mineral spirits but wouldn't mix with the bath. We used to put a water jug in toilets to reduce the amount of water per flush...

IIVIIoonshiner · 09-20-2006, 11:35 AM

thanks I'll try that... plastic will last how long in mineral spirits? forever? or will it break down?

PTSchram · 09-20-2006, 11:48 AM

I have run diesel fuel in my parts washer for the past twenty years and have never had a problem with biological growth.

Mineral spirits will not attack most plastics. High Density Polyethylene is your best bet, the tank to my parts washer is a plastic 55-gallon drum cut down to a comfortable height. Been using it this way for three years next month.

trannyboy · 09-20-2006, 12:01 PM

You can also run some atf in there. Automatic tansmission fluid is detergenated so it will help clean and also thin down the diesel. We do this in our solvent tanks to help cut down on the amount of solvent in the tank.

IIVIIoonshiner · 09-22-2006, 08:53 PM

so guys.... can i run all of them together? thats what I'm leaning towards...

braxton357 · 09-22-2006, 11:49 PM

...They're all petroleum based..

CRAZY MATT · 09-23-2006, 09:18 AM

Should put a gallon or so of water on the bottom, if its the style of tank where it sits on a barrel. The water helps trap the dirt and keeps the solvent clean.

zachv · 09-23-2006, 03:23 PM

Putting the diesel in a container to take up space may not be a great idea as then the mineral spirits has to do all of the cleaning and you will have to replace faster, thus not realizing any savings. You will be fine putting the diesel and mineral spirits together in a mixture. Diesel cleans well and is cheap.

mj · 09-23-2006, 05:20 PM

just buck up and run solvent in your solvent tank
cleaning with diesel or gas is a waste of time
who really knows what nasty stuff they are stuffing in the fuel these days, I will not put my hands in it wwillingly

Kreep · 09-25-2006, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mj

just buck up and run solvent in your solvent tank
cleaning with diesel or gas is a waste of time
who really knows what nasty stuff they are stuffing in the fuel these days, I will not put my hands in it wwillingly

x2

I drive an oil burner but still hate the smell of diesel. No way would I run it in a parts cleaner, but its your call. You can mix them just fine.

09-20-2006, 10:21 AM	#1
IIVIIoonshiner Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Member # 69130 Location: Somewhere in S.C. Posts: 75	can i combine diesel fuel and mineral spirits safely? I have a parts washer with a pump and sprayer in it that I am trying to fill up.... I had 5 gallons of parts washer (mineral spirits) and i put that in there but it is a 20 gallon parts washer so it's nowhere near full.... mineral spirits is 44$ a 5-gal around here which is too much.... the lid says I can run mineral spirits, some other stuff, and diesel fuel..... but it doesn't say if I can run them together? CAN I? or is this dangerous... I would like to go buy some diesel fuel and fill in the rest........ THANKS GUYS __________________ 88 sami (made mostly of yota parts)... stretch in the progress... exo and dents... some other junk

09-20-2006, 11:32 AM	#2
Kreep Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Member # 14004 Location: Illinois Posts: 705	Diesel and mineral spirits will mix fine, not a dangerous combination. But, algae can grom in diesel so I'm not sure I'd want to use in in something you store a long time, like a parts washer. Can you put the diesel in capped milk jugs or something? These would take up space so you'd need less mineral spirits but wouldn't mix with the bath. We used to put a water jug in toilets to reduce the amount of water per flush... __________________ 82 CJ7 - TBI 304/T18a/D300/44/70/4.88/40's 87 Samurai - GSX carbs/16V 1.6/GRS-II/linked rear/31's

09-20-2006, 11:35 AM	#3
IIVIIoonshiner Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Member # 69130 Location: Somewhere in S.C. Posts: 75	thanks I'll try that... plastic will last how long in mineral spirits? forever? or will it break down? __________________ 88 sami (made mostly of yota parts)... stretch in the progress... exo and dents... some other junk

09-20-2006, 11:48 AM	#4
PTSchram Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Member # 12499 Location: In the office writing letters to Land Rover's attorney, trying to stay in business, Posts: 8,178	I have run diesel fuel in my parts washer for the past twenty years and have never had a problem with biological growth. Mineral spirits will not attack most plastics. High Density Polyethylene is your best bet, the tank to my parts washer is a plastic 55-gallon drum cut down to a comfortable height. Been using it this way for three years next month. __________________ Wrenchin' to riches!

09-20-2006, 12:01 PM	#5
trannyboy Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Member # 43456 Location: paradise CA Posts: 418	You can also run some atf in there. Automatic tansmission fluid is detergenated so it will help clean and also thin down the diesel. We do this in our solvent tanks to help cut down on the amount of solvent in the tank. __________________ ECV 7-11 JACKASS WHEELERS PAIR-O-DICE , CA Hello and welcome to La-La Land.

09-22-2006, 08:53 PM	#6
IIVIIoonshiner Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Member # 69130 Location: Somewhere in S.C. Posts: 75	so guys.... can i run all of them together? thats what I'm leaning towards... __________________ 88 sami (made mostly of yota parts)... stretch in the progress... exo and dents... some other junk

09-22-2006, 11:49 PM	#7
braxton357 Zeus of the Sluice Join Date: Nov 2002 Member # 14685 Location: morganton,nc Posts: 4,176	...They're all petroleum based.. __________________ In vino veritas 70 turbocharged 351w fastback mustang 73 linked 5.8efi Bronco 99 QCLB 4x4 twin'd cummins on meth. 98 locked beater xj on N20.

09-23-2006, 09:18 AM	#8
CRAZY MATT Registered User Join Date: May 2001 Member # 4733 Location: North Idaho Posts: 2,083	Should put a gallon or so of water on the bottom, if its the style of tank where it sits on a barrel. The water helps trap the dirt and keeps the solvent clean. __________________ '80 Toyota '55 IH COE Truck '70 W100 4 Coots - '90 cummins 15 tractors and still collecting

09-23-2006, 03:23 PM	#9
zachv Zeus of the Sluice Join Date: Nov 2001 Member # 8108 Location: SCHUYLKILL HAVEN, PA Posts: 2,558	Putting the diesel in a container to take up space may not be a great idea as then the mineral spirits has to do all of the cleaning and you will have to replace faster, thus not realizing any savings. You will be fine putting the diesel and mineral spirits together in a mixture. Diesel cleans well and is cheap. __________________ Have a great day!!! Zach Vaughn. AtoZ Fabrication, Inc. 570-385-3931--shop 570-385-3932--fax MADE IN AMERICA---and proud of it!!! Now scheduling cage/custom work so call now to get on the calendar. CHECK OUT OUR DIY FAB PARTS FOR SALE!! We also offer the best prices available on: Advance Adapters KMC beadlocks wheels Clayton Offroad Suspension Amsteel Winchline and accessories Staun beadlocks and deflators

09-23-2006, 05:20 PM	#10
mj Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Member # 1919 Location: BC Canada Posts: 6,907	just buck up and run solvent in your solvent tank cleaning with diesel or gas is a waste of time who really knows what nasty stuff they are stuffing in the fuel these days, I will not put my hands in it wwillingly

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