Featuring Tyler Stowers, Renegade Parts Washers, Customer Service & Technical Support
Detergent questions usually start simple: Which product do I need? Why is my washer foaming? Am I using too much or too little? But once a wash process is running every day, other questions come up too—additives, aluminum, super concentrate, spent wash, and even freight. But what do they all mean?
We pulled together some of the questions Renegade Customer Service and Technical Support hears most often and answered them in one place.
Which detergent should I use?
Start with the type of washer. Renegade Jet Wash is designed for automatic parts washers and pressurized spray systems. Renegade Parts Wash is designed for manual parts washing only.
“Jet Wash is truly designed to work inside a pressurized spray cabinet.”
— Tyler Stowers, Renegade Customer Service & Technical Support
Because automatic washers use pumps and pressurized spray nozzles, foam control is especially important. That is why a detergent formulated for manual washing is not a reliable substitute in an automatic washer.
If you have a Renegade washer, your serial number can help our team identify the machine and narrow down the right detergent and estimated usage. If you have another brand, be ready to explain whether the washer is automatic or manual, what you are cleaning, and what you are trying to remove.
Why is my automatic washer foaming?
Check the wash temperature and detergent concentration first. Jet Wash is designed to work within an effective temperature and concentration range. A solution that is too cool or improperly concentrated can contribute to foam.
Also look at the condition of the wash bath. What is being removed from the parts changes the solution over time.
Learn more in another Shop Notes blog: Foam: The Party Guest Nobody Invited.
Can I use too much detergent?
Yes. More detergent does not automatically mean more cleaning power. A higher concentration can increase detergent usage and cost without improving the result while leaving behind a residue. Too little concentration can contribute to poor cleaning, foam, flash rust, or other changes in performance depending on the application.
“Heat, concentration, time and mechanical cleaning capability of the washer are your key variables.”
— Tyler Stowers, Renegade Customer Service & Technical Support
Can I pour used aqueous wash solution down the drain?
Do not assume that you can. “Aqueous” describes a water-based cleaning system, but the solution changes as it cleans. Oil, grease, coolant, metal fines, coatings, and other material removed from the parts end up in the spent wash.
Wastewater and disposal requirements can vary by facility and geographical location. The spent solution should be evaluated according to the appropriate waste management facility regulations and environmental requirements for your operation.
How do I know when the detergent process is working?
Tyler’s answer is simple:
“There’s no foam, and the parts are coming out clean.”
— Tyler Stowers, Renegade Customer Service & Technical Support
That is the goal behind the detergent, the washer settings, and the maintenance around them.
How do I know when my wash solution needs attention?
Start with what you can see. If parts are no longer coming out clean, the washer begins foaming, or cleaned parts begin rusting faster than usual, the wash cabinet is flash rusting, something in the process needs attention.
Check temperature, detergent concentration, filters, wash-solution condition, detergent feed, and the soil load entering the washer. A recirculating system keeps using the same spent solution, so contamination accumulates over time.
What about aluminum and other materials?
Part material matters. Different metals and alloys can respond differently to alkalinity, temperature, concentration, and exposure time. Aluminum deserves particular attention because different alloys may respond differently to highly alkaline chemistry, especially when combined with higher temperatures or longer wash times.
If you are cleaning a material you have not run before—or changing detergent, temperature, concentration, or cycle time—talk with Renegade before assuming the same setup will work for every part. Sometimes the answer is an adjustment to time or temperature rather than a completely different detergent or concentration
Do I always need additives?
No. Start with the correct detergent, concentration, and temperature. Renegade also offers products such as defoamer, rust inhibitor, Metalist, and JOLT Degreaser for specific cleaning conditions or problems.
For manual cleaning, JOLT can be useful when a stubborn area or heavy grease needs additional focused cleaning.
“JOLT is a powerful degreaser. Impactful for tough to clean areas and assisting in the overall wash performance.”
— Tyler Stowers, Renegade Customer Service & Technical Support
Think of additives as tools for specific situations—not ingredients that automatically belong in every wash tank.
Learn more in another Shop Notes blog: Beyond Detergent: How Parts Washer Additives Improve Cleaning
Why isn’t my Parts Wash Super Concentrate container full?
It is intentional. Parts Wash Liquid Super Concentrate is shipped with room in the container so water can be added at your facility to create the full concentrate. The product is not missing detergent.
“You don’t want to pay for our water to go cross-country.”
— Tyler Stowers, Renegade Customer Service & Technical Support
Once the super concentrate has been diluted into concentrate, use it according to the current product label and ratio directions for the washer.
How can I reduce detergent freight costs?
If your shop uses detergent and replacement supplies regularly, think beyond the one item you need today. Freight is often influenced by the shipment and pallet footprint, so adding products you know you will use can sometimes reduce the effective freight cost per item.
- Detergent (in 55 gal drum vs. 5 Gal pail)
- Filters
- Additives
- Spare parts
- Other regular parts washer supplies
Before the next order is placed, make a list of what your operation is likely to use before the following shipment. Buying ahead is not right for every customer, but it is worth comparing the product need with the freight cost.
“Sometimes, it’s not just about buying detergent. It’s about maximizing your washer’s performance and operational efficiency.”
— Tyler Stowers, Renegade Customer Service & Technical Support
Need Help Choosing or Using Detergent?
For a Renegade machine, have your serial number handy. For another washer, be ready to share whether it is automatic or manual, what you are cleaning, what you are trying to remove, and what the washer is made from.
Shop Renegade detergents, additives, filters, and parts washer supplies at PartWasher.net, or call 800-774-7900 for help choosing the right product for your application.