Selecting the Right Parts Washer Fluid
Choosing the correct parts washer fluid is essential to ensure effective cleaning, prevent corrosion, and protect sensitive metals during production, maintenance, or storage. ZERUST® AxxaWash™ solutions are aqueous-based, non-flammable, and environmentally responsible — engineered to meet the performance demands of spray, immersion, and ultrasonic systems.
This guide outlines how to match the right fluid to your equipment type, metal substrates, and cleaning requirements.
Application Method Compatibility
Aqueous parts washer fluid systems require different water-based solution fluid characteristics, especially when it comes to foam levels, rinse needs, and application method. Choosing based on machinery will help create a more efficient system.
Spray Washers:
Spray washers rely on high-pressure nozzles to clean parts, so parts washer fluids must remain low-foam to prevent interference with spray performance.
-
-
Best Choices: KF-122, KF-121, KF-123, KMS-305AL, KMS-310, KF-124, DA-23C, DA-24C
-
KF-122 deliver consistent low-foam cleaning for heavy-duty soils.
- KF-121 delivers consistent low-foam cleaning for medium-duty soils.
-
KMS-305AL and KMS-310 are designed for spray applications operating between 115°–150°F, combining strong detergency with flash-rust protection.
-
KF-123 and KF-124 adds extended flash-rust resistance, useful where parts undergo short-term handling before further processing.
-
DA-23C pairs spray cleaning with up to three months of corrosion protection, supporting both cleaning and storage requirements.
- DA-24C pairs low foaming, spray cleaning, three months of corrosion protection while also being yellow metal friendly.
-
-
Immersion Washers:
Immersion parts washer fluid systems submerge parts for full coverage cleaning, making them suitable for complex parts and heavy soil loads. Depending on the formulation, AxxaWash™ immersion-compatible parts washer fluids are engineered to work effectively in heated tanks as well as at room temperature.
-
-
Best Choices: KF-121, KF-122, KF-123, KF-124, KMS-220, KMS-305AL, NW-10C, NW-12C
-
KF-121 and KF-122 provides medium to heavy duty cleaning for tough soils.
-
KF-123 and KF-124 support medium-duty soil removal in immersion baths, maintaining stability in demanding shop environments, whilst offering extended flash-rust protection for additional handling time.
-
NW-10C and NW-12C operate effectively between 77–140°F, reducing energy consumption while cleaning light to medium to heavy duty soils while offering extended flash-rust protection for additional handling time.
-
-
Rotary Basket Systems:
Rotary basket parts washer fluid systems combine immersion, spray, and agitation, making them highly effective for cleaning small or intricate parts in high volumes. These systems demand low-foam, durable parts washer fluid formulations that withstand continuous operation.
-
-
Best Choices: KF-121, KF-122, KF-123, KF-124, KMS-305AL, KMS-310AL, KMS-220
-
KF-121 and KF-122 provide low-foam cleaning to medium to tough soils.
- KF-123 and KF-124 provide low-foam detergency for medium-duty soils, also leaves behind a flash rust resistant coating for additional handling time.
- KMS-220 provides effective cleaning for light to medium duty soils, but also oil-splitting capabilities for longer bath life.
- KMS-305AL and KMS-310AL deliver consistent cleaning in elevated temperature ranges (115–150°F), specifically designed for aluminum.
-
-
Ultrasonic Cleaners:
Ultrasonic parts washer fluid systems use high-frequency sound waves to agitate cleaning solutions, reaching microscopic contaminants in small cavities and fine parts. parts washer fluids must remain effective at lower operating temperatures while maintaining corrosion protection.
-
-
Best Choices: NW-10C, NW-12C, KF-121, KF-122, KF-123, KF-124, KMS-310AL
-
NW-10C provides light-duty cleaning at room temperature (77–140°F), reducing energy consumption, with high-foam properties that support ultrasonic agitation.
-
NW-12C extends versatility, compatible with ferrous and non-ferrous metals, stable in hard water, and effective in ultrasonic tanks requiring broader substrate coverage.
- KF-121 and KF-122 are excellent for cleaning medium to heavy duty soils where emulsification is needed to help clean the parts.
- KF-123 and KF-124 can provide flash corrosion inhibition while tackling light and medium duty soils in ultrasonic systems.
- KMS-310AL is designed to clean medium to tough soils from aluminum surfaces and has excellent emulsification ability.
-
-
Metal Compatibility
Different metals require specific parts washer fluid properties to avoid etching, staining, or corrosion. AxxaWash™ products are formulated for compatibility across both ferrous and non-ferrous substrates.
Stainless Steel
These fluids remove soils without staining or pitting stainless finishes, making them ideal for high-value precision parts in the parts washer system.
Aluminum
Compatible with sensitive aluminum surfaces, these products prevent etching and offer corrosion protection during or after cleaning in the parts washer fluid system.
Copper & Brass
Gentle formulations prevent discoloration or tarnishing while effectively removing machining oils in the parts washer fluid system.
Galvanized Steel
Specifically formulated to clean galvanized substrates without stripping or damaging the protective zinc coating in the parts washer fluid system.
Soil Removal Performance
Selecting the right fluid also depends on the type and severity of soils present on the parts.
Light-Duty Soils (dust, light machining oils, residues)
These parts washer fluids remove light contaminants efficiently, with options likeDA-23C, DA-24C, KMS-220, KMS-305AL and DA-40AL providing additional rust protection for storage.
Medium-Duty Soils (heavier machining oils, shop grime, coolants)
Balanced detergency and corrosion inhibitors make these parts washer fluids ideal for typical industrial soils without over-aggressive cleaning.
Heavy-Duty Soils (grease, burnt-on oils, carbonized deposits)
Engineered for immersion systems, KF-122, NW-10C, NW-12C, and KMS-310AL, blend high detergency, hard water tolerance and excellent emulsification.
Corrosion Protection
A key advantage of Zerust® AxxaWash™ fluids is their built-in corrosion protection, ranging from immediate flash-rust prevention to extended protection for storage and shipping.
Flash-Rust Protection (during and immediately after cleaning)
These parts washer fluids contain corrosion inhibitors to protect ferrous parts during cleaning in the parts washer and short-term handling.
Up to 3 Months Corrosion Protection
Dual-function cleaners that also deliver multi-month protection, eliminating the need for an additional corrosion inhibitor step
Choosing the right parts washer fluid depends on your washer type, the materials you’re cleaning, and the level of protection you need after washing. Zerust® AxxaWash™ solutions are engineered to deliver performance, safety, and sustainability—helping you keep operations efficient and compliant.
If you’re still unsure which option is best for your application, try our quick quiz below or Contact a Zerust® representative for a specific tailored recommendation.
Which Zerust® AxxaWash™ is Right for You?
To understand Aqueous Parts Washing and its economic and chemistry benefits check out The Ultimate Guide to Aqueous Parts Washers: Efficiency, Sustainability, and Performance.
