We manufacture new areospace and military hydraulic valves and manifolds as well as refurb field returns. I am looking for suggestions on alternate cleaning methods and chemicals. Currently we are mainly using mineral spirits - spray, dip and ultrsonic. Low to medium volume with a high mix of parts.

I was all of my non-aluminum parts in a hot vat of water and sodium hydroxide. I rinse with hot water and then spray all of the ferrous parts with a water displacing oil to prevent rust. I am looking to change this to a dip in hot oil after rinsing for better shelf life for ferrous parts.

For aluminum parts I use a hot water spray was cabinet with a solution of sodium carbonate and sodium metasilicate followed by a plain hot water rinse afterwards.

I've found neither of these suitable for cleaning lapped parts though so I still utilize one plain parts washer with mineral spirits. Nothing else seems to work very well on the mud produced by the lapping process.