How to Choose an Industrial Degreaser: Soil, Surface and Method
"Degreaser" covers dozens of different chemistries. A product that strips baked-on oil from a steel engine block can stain aluminium or crack rubber seals, and a gentle water-based cleaner will barely touch heavy carbon. Before asking for a price, work through three questions.
1. What is the soil?
- Light oil and fresh grease (machinery covers, floors, tools): a water-based alkaline or biodegradable degreaser at a high dilution is usually enough.
- Heavy, aged or baked-on grease (engine rooms, gearboxes, workshop floors): a heavy-duty alkaline degreaser at a lower dilution, or a solvent-emulsion degreaser that can be rinsed off with water.
- Carbon and lacquer (pistons, injectors, exhaust parts): a dedicated carbon remover, usually as a soak.
- Food fats (galleys, hoods, ovens): a kitchen degreaser or oven cleaner made for hot fat, not an engine-room product.
2. What is the surface?
Steel and cast iron tolerate strong alkaline cleaners. Aluminium, zinc and galvanised surfaces can darken or etch in high-pH products, so choose a product labelled safe for soft metals and test a small area first. Painted surfaces, rubber and plastics may soften with strong solvents. For electrical equipment, use a dedicated electrical cleaner that evaporates without residue — never a water-based degreaser on live or energised gear.
3. How will you apply it?
- Spray and wipe / brush: needs some cling, so the product stays on vertical surfaces long enough to work.
- Pressure washer or foam lance: needs a product that is low-foaming or designed to foam, depending on the equipment.
- Soak tank or ultrasonic bath: works well with heated, more dilute solutions.
- Circulation (coolers, pipework): needs a low-foaming product that will not attack gaskets.
Water-based or solvent-based?
Water-based and biodegradable degreasers are easier to handle, store and dispose of, and most can be diluted. Solvent and solvent-emulsion degreasers act faster on heavy and aged soils and do not need water to rinse, but need more ventilation and care with flash point. When in doubt, start with a heavy-duty water-based degreaser and go stronger only if the test patch shows you need to.
Send us these details
Tell us the soil, the surface, the application method and roughly how much area or how many parts you clean per week. We will recommend a product and a starting dilution, and send the MSDS with the quote.