Greasy engine components. Oil-covered brackets. Dirty brake parts. Old mechanical components covered in years of grime.

If you've worked in an automotive workshop, you already know that cleaning parts can take almost as much patience as repairing them.

Trying to clean everything with rags and spray cleaners can create a messy work area and take unnecessary time.

That's where a 20-Gallon Parts Washer can become a useful part of your workshop setup.

But what exactly does a parts washer do? When should you use one? And how do you use it properly?

Let's take a practical look.

What Is a 20-Gallon Parts Washer?

A parts washer is a dedicated workshop cleaning station designed to help remove grease, oil, dirt and other contaminants from suitable mechanical components.

Instead of placing dirty parts on a workbench and cleaning them with rags, a parts washer gives you a designated area for the cleaning process.

The 20-gallon capacity provides a practical cleaning tank for many common workshop components.

It can be useful for automotive workshops, mechanical repair shops, maintenance departments and other environments where dirty mechanical parts need to be cleaned regularly.

Why Do You Need a Parts Washer?

Imagine this situation.

A mechanic removes an engine component that has been covered in oil and grease for years.

The mechanic needs to inspect the component before deciding whether it can be reused.

But there is a problem:

The dirt is hiding the condition of the part.

The mechanic could spend several minutes wiping it with rags and spraying cleaner repeatedly.

Or, with a suitable parts washer, the component can be placed in a dedicated cleaning station and cleaned more efficiently.

Once the grease and dirt are removed, the mechanic can inspect the part more easily.

That's the real value of a parts washer.

It isn't just about making parts look clean. It's about making cleaning and inspection part of a better workshop workflow.

When Should You Use a Parts Washer?

A parts washer is useful whenever a mechanical component needs to be cleaned before inspection, repair, maintenance or reassembly.

1. Before Inspecting a Dirty Component

This is one of the most common situations.

For example, a mechanic removes a suspension component and finds that it is covered in old grease and road grime.

Before checking its condition, the mechanic cleans the component.

Once the dirt has been removed, it becomes much easier to visually inspect for:

• Cracks
• Excessive wear
• Corrosion
• Damaged surfaces
• Contaminated areas

2. Before Reassembling Components

Imagine a mechanic is servicing a mechanical assembly.

The old component has been removed and is covered in oil and debris.

Before reinstalling suitable reusable components, cleaning them can help prevent old contamination from being carried into the repaired assembly.

A parts washer provides a dedicated place to perform that cleaning.

3. During Engine Repair

Engine components can become heavily contaminated with oil, grease and carbon deposits.

For example:

A workshop removes a mechanical engine component during servicing. Instead of putting the dirty component directly onto the workbench, the mechanic moves it to the parts washer, cleans it, dries it appropriately and then inspects it.

This creates a much more organised workflow.

4. Brake and Suspension Work

Brake and suspension components can accumulate grease, dust and road contamination.

When appropriate for the component and cleaning solution, a parts washer can help clean removable mechanical parts before inspection or further work.

5. General Workshop Maintenance

You don't need to wait for a major repair.

If your workshop regularly handles dirty mechanical parts, a parts washer can be useful for everyday maintenance work.

How to Use a 20-Gallon Parts Washer

Using a parts washer is straightforward, but the exact operating procedure depends on the model and cleaning solution.

Here's a practical general workflow.

Step 1: Choose the Correct Cleaning Solution

Before anything else, check the manufacturer's instructions.

Not every cleaning solvent is suitable for every parts washer.

Use a cleaning solution that is specifically appropriate for the equipment and the parts being cleaned.

Also consider the material of the component. Some chemicals can damage certain plastics, rubber components, painted surfaces or other materials.

Step 2: Prepare the Part

Remove large pieces of dirt, loose debris or excessive grease where practical.

For example, if a component has a thick layer of mud and grease on it, scraping off the heavy buildup first can make the cleaning process easier.

This also prevents unnecessary contamination of the cleaning solution.

Step 3: Place the Part in the Cleaning Area

Put the suitable component into the parts washer's designated cleaning area.

Don't overload the washer.

The part should be positioned so that you can safely clean the required surfaces.

Step 4: Clean the Component

Use the washer's cleaning system according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Work the cleaning solution over the dirty surfaces and pay attention to areas where grease and oil have accumulated.

For heavily contaminated components, you may need to spend more time on areas with built-up deposits.

Example:

A mechanic is cleaning a greasy metal bracket.

Instead of repeatedly wiping it with a rag, the mechanic works the cleaning solution over the bracket, concentrating on the corners and areas where grease has accumulated.

The dirt loosens, making the component easier to inspect.

Step 5: Inspect the Cleaned Part

This is an important step.

Don't stop at “it looks clean.”

Once the contaminants have been removed, inspect the component.

Look for visible:

• Cracks
• Wear
• Corrosion
• Damaged threads
• Deformation
• Other signs of damage

Cleaning can make problems easier to see.

Step 6: Dry the Component Properly

After cleaning, dry the component using an appropriate method for the part and workshop procedure.

For metal components, proper drying can help prevent unnecessary moisture-related corrosion.

Follow the component manufacturer's or workshop's recommended procedure where applicable.

Step 7: Reuse, Repair or Replace

Once the part is clean and inspected, the mechanic can decide the next step.

The component may be:

Clean → Inspect → Reuse

or

Clean → Inspect → Repair

or

Clean → Inspect → Replace

The parts washer helps with the cleaning and inspection stage — it doesn't determine whether a part is safe to reuse.

A Real Workshop Situation

Let's look at a typical example.

🚗 Scenario: Servicing a Greasy Mechanical Component

A vehicle comes into the workshop for repair.

The mechanic removes a mechanical component that has been exposed to oil, grease and road dirt for a long time.

The component is too dirty to properly inspect.

Without a Parts Washer

The mechanic:

1. Places the component on the workbench.
2. Uses multiple rags.
3. Sprays cleaning product.
4. Wipes it repeatedly.
5. Deals with grease spreading across the workbench.
6. Spends additional time cleaning the work area.

With a Parts Washer

The mechanic:

1. Removes excess dirt.
2. Places the suitable component in the parts washer.
3. Cleans the contaminated surfaces.
4. Removes and dries the component appropriately.
5. Inspects the cleaned component.
6. Decides whether it should be reused, repaired or replaced.

The difference isn't simply about cleaning.

It's about having a better process.

Another Example: Fleet Maintenance Workshop

Imagine a workshop maintaining a fleet of commercial vehicles.

Every day, mechanics remove components that have accumulated grease, oil and dirt.

If every mechanic cleans these parts using separate buckets, rags and sprays, the workshop can quickly become messy.

A dedicated 20-gallon parts washer creates a consistent location for parts cleaning.

Instead of:

“Where should I clean this?”

The process becomes:

Remove → Clean → Inspect → Repair/Replace → Reassemble

That's a much easier workflow to manage.

What Parts Can You Clean?

The appropriate parts depend on the material, size, contamination and cleaning solution.

Common examples may include suitable:

• Metal brackets
• Engine components
• Brake components
• Suspension components
• Mechanical parts
• Bearings and related components
• Small assemblies

Always check whether the particular component and material are compatible with the cleaning solution before placing it into the washer.

What Should You NOT Do?

A parts washer isn't a universal cleaning machine.

Avoid putting a component into the washer simply because it is dirty.

Before cleaning, consider:

❌ Don't use an unsuitable solvent

The wrong cleaning solution can damage equipment or components and may create a safety hazard.

❌ Don't clean incompatible materials

Some rubber, plastic, painted or coated components may not be suitable for certain cleaning chemicals.

❌ Don't ignore manufacturer instructions

Follow the instructions for both the parts washer and the cleaning solution.

❌ Don't assume cleaning means the part is safe

A clean component can still be worn, cracked or damaged.

Clean first. Inspect properly. Then make the repair decision.

Parts Washer vs. Cleaning by Hand

Hand cleaning can work for small or occasional jobs.

But when a workshop regularly handles dirty mechanical components, a dedicated parts washer can make the process more organised.

The right choice depends on your workshop's workload and the type of components you service.

Is a 20-Gallon Parts Washer Right for Your Workshop?

Consider a parts washer if your workshop regularly asks:

“How are we going to clean this part?”

If mechanics frequently deal with oil-covered, greasy or dirty mechanical components, having a dedicated cleaning station can be a practical improvement.

A 20-gallon parts washer can be particularly useful for:

🔧 Automotive workshops
🔧 Mechanical repair shops
🔧 Fleet maintenance
🔧 Equipment maintenance
🔧 General servicing environments

A Cleaner Workshop Starts With the Right Equipment

Professional workshop equipment isn't only about powerful impact tools or specialised machines.

Sometimes, it's the equipment that makes the small everyday jobs easier that makes a big difference.

A 20-Gallon Parts Washer gives your workshop a dedicated place to clean suitable mechanical components before inspection, repair or reassembly.

Instead of letting dirty parts create more mess and more work:

Remove → Clean → Inspect → Repair → Reassemble

That's a simple workflow — but having the right equipment can make it much easier to follow.

Looking for a 20-Gallon Parts Washer?

At Setia Tyre Repair Product, we supply workshop tools and equipment for automotive, tyre service and maintenance applications.

If you're looking for a 20-Gallon Parts Washer for your workshop, contact us for product details and availability.