Degreaser Performance Ratings - Independent

[PiggerAndy]

All-

I wanted to share this... had been doing some research on the industrial side to perform independent ASTM performance testing on 15 leading degreasers... from Simple Green Industrial all the way up to Chlorinated CRC HD you can't buy in all states and which is a Hazwaste under EPA rules.

Created separate ratings for oil and grease degreasing performance (there's a huge difference in performance in some cases), along with safety and cost comparisons.

Thought BITOG might dig it... breaks some of the myths that "the nastier it is, the better it works."

Industrial Degreaser Performance Ratings - wastemin.com

-Andy

 

[chubbs1]

Thanks for the post. Interesting.

 

[earlyre]

I knew there was a reason i liked good 'ol Simple Green.

 

[PiggerAndy]

Thanks Chubbs1!

 

[Donald]

Hot water pressure washer. Problem solved.

 

[sciphi]

Thanks! Mirrors my own experiences with Simple Green.

 

[morepwr]

Good read! I too have had great luck with simple green. If something is really nasty I just let it sit on it for a while.

 

[Kira]

Hello, I bought a #3 winner. The Purple Power gallon jug I found on sale was highly recommended by the counterman. I don't know if it's the "industrial" one; likely not. I will check. But still 3 of my friends have bought Purple Power at my behest and have been satisfied.

I've cleaned junk yard parts with it and it did a great job on the backside of an engine where a leaking oil pressure sender switch created quite a large dirt legacy.

Great post.

Kira

 

[951Indy]

Thanks, Andy!

I've needed to replace my parts washer solvent for a while....just haven't settled on the right product.

Just ordered 12 gallons of #2 for $6.49 a gallon! I feel like I stole it...

Is the Simple Green grease removal % correct. If so, its probably useless for bearings, etc.

 

[supton]

I have to try SG again. I bought a concentrated bottle once, for degreasing a bicycle chain, and was thoroughly disatisfied; went back to using paint thinner. I tried using SG to clean the kitchen stove, and went back tor 409. Maybe I got a bum bottle?

Actually... now that I think about it, I never cut it with any water. Does that make a difference? I'll have to try that next.

 

[951Indy]

From these findings, unless you never encounter grease, SG might be a poor choice. It performs well on "oily" surfaces, but dawn dish soap does too.

I prefer something that doesn't run from a grease fight.

 

[PiggerAndy]

@951Indy: thanks!

Simple Green % is indeed correct... we tested each solvent on oil in triplicate, and on grease in triplicate to verify results. I had questions on Simple Green, as well, so we retested on another 6 samples.

Highest effectiveness on oil, low effectiveness on grease.

 

[PiggerAndy]

@supton: I do believe that water does play a role specifically in Simple Green... we used highest concentration for every solvent as recommended by manufacturer, and SG recommended 1:1 with water or higher dilution.

 

[cjcride]

Thanks, interesting.

 

[artificialist]

Simple green works well for me, but the #1 reason I use it because the stinking vapors found in most cleaners gives me a headache.

 

[74DartSport]

At work we had been using Grez-Off by Spray 9. We switched to Oil Eater about two months ago. The techs can't stop saying how much better it is.

 

[PiggerAndy]

@ artificialist: Fully agree. I had the unused degreasers packaged and shipped back to me (they were double boxed and in sealed bags for DOT compliant shipping) and the residual smell was bad enough in my office after a couple of hours that I had to move them out.

In some cases the artificial "clean" scent of a water-based degreaser or the solvent package for solvent-based degreasers can get pretty heavy.

I was thinking about doing a "scent rating" this year (as it's not related to PPE/protection) using a panel of 5 people to rate how strong the scent is. There's always next round of testing

 

[TrevorS]

Great science based study!

I read a huge report / study by some folks in California worried about health effects on mechanics who use brake cleaner. The incidence of cancer was very high in these people.

They tested several alternative methods of cleaning brake parts and worked with dealers and shops to document time and cost.

They found faster and more effective ways to clean that were also safer and cheaper. The dealers and shops changed their methods as a result.

Great to see scientific studies motivated by a desire to improve things for everyone. These activities often get mocked but when done right and if people have an open mind to change, lives can be improved.

There was a similar study on bypass oil filters and oil changes for CA state vehicles both from a cost and environmental perspective and there were some products that had great paybacks.

 

[TrevorS]

One more comment, how do you think degreasers compare to steam cleaning?

 

[doitmyself]

Thank you PiggerAndy.

I think this type of scientific study is a perfect example of how careful a layperson needs to be when evaluating the results. In this case, one should ask how relevant the results are to real world use.

The grease in this case was a common lithium complex type, probably one of the most common in vehicle and equipment use. This grease has oil and thickener (lithium soap). Since most of the products did well with oil, then can we assume the better products were able to break down the lithium component better?

- How many instances are we trying to clean lithium grease off surfaces?
- We can not apply these results to other untested grease types: aluminum complex, polyurea, animal/vegetable/cooking grease etc..
- It would not apply to thickened oil situations such as an engine compartment where oil has been thickened with dirt and other airborn grime. It is grease-like, but contains no lithium thickener.

This scientific test tells us which product works best for lithium complex grease and mineral oil.

Also consider the test standard ASTM G-122 and how relevant it is to real world conditions. If I am correct, the test involves immersion with stir paddle agitation.

- In many real world situations, degreasing also involves physical methods such as brushes, toweling, water pressure, etc..

Again, the test results might be quite different if these other real world conditions are included.

Finally, a word about the rust results. I question if the non rusting test panels have some type of residual layer after cleaning? This could be a detriment if the next process is sensitive to this layer, i.e. paint application. Just something else to consider, as the no-rust results appeared (to me) to be presented as a favorable thing.

Just some of my thoughts. In real world use, a product like Simple Green might work excellent for "degreasing" an oily engine compartment in conjunction with brushes and/or water pressure. (I have no affiliation with SG).

I would not dismiss some of the "lesser" products based on this study. But, it is an excellent starting point.