Parts washer going mouldy

[decca]

I just went to use my parts washer after leaving it for a couple of months and the inside is covered in white mould. I have cleaned it all out now but how can I stop it going mouldy again. Ventilation is probably the key, leave the top propped up??

Any tips for this.

 

[James1979]

What fluid are you using? May make a difference.

one of the plasma boys that run water tables may be along shortly to advise but you can put a biocide in there same as the water tables. Not sure what it’s called as mine is downdraft so I don’t use it.

 

[123hotchef]

switch to a solvent base.

 

[decca]

Used the Machine mart stuff that you add water to.

 

[123hotchef]

Used the Machine mart stuff that you add water to.

I have parafin, petrol and desiel in mine that dont go mouldy, is it the actual liquid gone mouldy or the tub? or both?

 

[decca]

I have parafin, petrol and desiel in mine that dont go mouldy, is it the actual liquid gone mouldy or the tub? or both?

It’s formed on the inside of the tub and lid. Probably due to the lid being shut and lack of ventilation. The liquid seems ok. I wasn’t keen on having 20ltrs of fuel lying around in the garage so went for water based stuff. Going to try keeping the lid propped up and if that doesn’t work will switch to solvent stuff.

 

[8ob]

It depends on what you are cleaning and what you expect to do with the cleaned parts, if it greasy old car bits you don't need to rinse off with water you can use paraffin or diesel. For items that need degreasing that also need to be rinsed off you want solvent based water soluble like Jizer. TFR will go mouldy but its cheap to replace.

Bob

 

[Parm]

Used the Machine mart stuff that you add water to.

A little bit of house hold bleach will provide enough chlorine to keep the micro organisms at Bay

This is the simplified version of what they do in cooling towers etc to control legionella.

 

[Ross365]

I wouldn't use bleach - that is effectively full of chloride and chloride is the number 1# initiator of corrosion even at miniscule quantities. If this is a workplace washer (as opposed to DIY) then it is an HSE issue, but shouldn't be hard to sort out with the right advice.

 

[vw-al]

I had the same issue with my bench top washer using the machine mart citrus fluid that you dilute with water, I cleaned it all out and switched to paraffin, no problems since, I just use a bit of thinners or brake cleaner to remove the paraffin residue after cleaning

 

[Screwdriver]

One of the nice things about citric acid is that it is a harmless foodstuff, I made sherbet out of mine just for fun.

But once you hydrate it and take it out into a shed/garden it becomes a veritable culture dish for all sorts of nasties. Bug and germs LOVE it. After only a few days in an exposed environment, it can become a deadly cocktail of bacteria and fungi. Depends what gets into it; fox poo, flies, dirt, anything biologically active is going to flourish.

I think I may have mentioned it before, let me see if I can find a link to a coffee cup that I left in the garden for a couple of days...

 

[Ross365]

Didn't know that citric acid solution is a bug fest - so is that true of vinegar too?
The corrosion inhibitors used in your heating system have bug killers in them to prevent growth in the header tank, but I have no idea what the chemical nature of them is.

 

[decca]

So is there anything I can add to the washer to stop the bio warfare I have unleashed in my garage ?? Or do I just fill it with diesel and risk burning it down with a stray welding spark.

 

[Parm]

I wouldn't use bleach - that is effectively full of chloride and chloride is the number 1# initiator of corrosion even at miniscule quantities. If this is a workplace washer (as opposed to DIY) then it is an HSE issue, but shouldn't be hard to sort out with the right advice.

lol, it’s not a HSE issue. It’s an issue owned by the duty holder creating the risk.

bleach isn’t full of chlorine, if memory serves me correct it’s a low amount, about 4% I think.

a small amount in a parts washer with water based cleaner will be fine

biocides are available and often required in large water based systems, but these are quite hazardous and introduce an assortment of skin hazards

 

[Parm]

So is there anything I can add to the washer to stop the bio warfare I have unleashed in my garage ?? Or do I just fill it with diesel and risk burning it down with a stray welding spark.

One of these should sort it

but make sure you have one of these on

 

[Hopefuldave]

Not partswash, but I got ¿Algamin? for fish tanks and put a capful in the TIG cooler tank, dunno if it'd help... No growth in there yet...

Dave H. (the other one)

 

[123hotchef]

So is there anything I can add to the washer to stop the bio warfare I have unleashed in my garage ?? Or do I just fill it with diesel and risk burning it down with a stray welding spark.

desiel should not catch on fire with a spark! Well dont prove me wrong though!

 

[Munkul]

Drop or two of bleach will do the trick. You just need enough to kill the bugs, too much will start corroding things. I put a few drops into my saw coolant to stop it stinking.

Unfortunately I'm not sure that the contaminated fluid will be salvageable... you might need to start again with fresh.

 

[Screwdriver]

So is there anything I can add to the washer to stop the bio warfare I have unleashed in my garage ?? Or do I just fill it with diesel and risk burning it down with a stray welding spark.

I don't know is the honest answer. I tend to use solvent based cleaners, citric dips get flushed when they become contaminated. What I do know is that contaminated, biologically active coolants, dips, washes etc. create aerosols when you start playing with them and you really don't want to be breathing that stuff.

 

[Seadog]

Bleach, that is pure, unadulterated bleach, i.e. sodium hypochlorite, can be added to water and drunk. I think that the concentration should be no more than 5% BV. It certainly used to be by some boat owners in their fresh water tanks, and I have a clear memory of drinking chlorine-tasting water on an old Swan that I used to crew on.