The right parts washer depends on three things: what you clean, how much, and how you want to work. This guide walks through the main types, how to size a unit, and how to match a washer to your parts and volume. Build-All manufactures the core parts washers below in Milwaukee, USA — and, through our family of brands, can also point you to spray-cabinet and ultrasonic systems.
The main types of parts washer
Recirculating (flow-through / sink-on-drum)
A pump recirculates cleaning fluid up through a faucet or flow-brush over a basin, and the fluid drains back to the reservoir (often a drum). This is the everyday shop workhorse for hands-on manual cleaning of moderate soils. Great for frequent, general-purpose use. See recirculating parts washers ›
Immersion / soak (including air-powered)
Parts are fully submerged so the solvent can loosen heavy, baked-on soils and reach into recesses. Air-powered immersion cleaners agitate the bath for faster action. Best for heavy carbon, intricate parts, and batch soaking. See immersion cleaners ›
Platform agitation
Parts sit on a platform that oscillates through the cleaning bath — hands-free, thorough, and gentle enough for delicate or complex geometries. Ideal when you want consistent batch cleaning without an operator standing over a sink. See platform-agitation washers ›
Spray cabinet washers
An enclosed aqueous cabinet cleans parts with high-pressure spray jets, often on a rotating turntable — powerful, hands-free cleaning built for heavier soils and higher production volumes. Think of it as a dishwasher for industrial parts. Available now through our sister company: spray cabinet washers ›
Ultrasonic cleaners
Ultrasonic cleaners use high-frequency sound waves to create microscopic cavitation bubbles that scrub every surface — including blind holes, threads, and fine detail that spray and immersion can miss. Best for precision, intricate, and delicate parts. Available now through our sister company: ultrasonic parts washers ›
Brake washers
An enclosed washer built to clean brake components while containing brake dust. Fast, contained, and purpose-built for brake work. See brake washers ›
Many shops also add a rinse tank for a second-stage rinse, and pair a solvent washer with a recycler to reuse solvent.
Types at a glance
| Type | Best for | How you work |
|---|---|---|
| Recirculating | Everyday manual cleaning, moderate soils | Hands-on at a sink |
| Immersion / soak | Heavy carbon, intricate parts, batches | Soak (optionally agitated) |
| Platform agitation | Complex/delicate parts, consistent batches | Hands-free |
| Spray cabinet | Higher volume, heavier soils, production | Hands-free (spray + rotation) |
| Ultrasonic | Precision, intricate & delicate parts, blind holes | Hands-free (cavitation) |
| Brake washer | Brake components, dust containment | Contained wash |
How to size a parts washer
- Your largest part. The work area or tank must comfortably fit your biggest, most awkward part — check both footprint and depth.
- Weight. Confirm the sink, shelf, turntable, or platform is rated for your heaviest load.
- Volume / throughput. Occasional cleaning suits a compact recirculating unit; high daily volume calls for a larger reservoir and pump, a spray cabinet, or a hands-free batch washer.
- Floor space & format. Drum-mounted units save space; freestanding and cabinet units offer bigger capacity.
- Solvent or aqueous. Spray cabinets and ultrasonics are typically aqueous — see our solvent vs. aqueous guide.
Match the washer to your parts
| If your parts are… | Lean toward… |
|---|---|
| Heavily greased, oily, or carbon-caked | Solvent + immersion/soak |
| Intricate with deep recesses | Immersion or platform agitation |
| Small, precise, or delicate (blind holes, threads) | Ultrasonic |
| Cleaned in high volume with heavier soils | Spray cabinet washer |
| A mix of soils incl. particulate | Aqueous washer |
| Brake components | Brake washer |
Don’t forget total cost of ownership
A washer is a one-time purchase you own — unlike a rental service you pay forever. If you’re currently on a service plan, see why it usually pays to own your parts washer instead of renting. And to keep any machine running for years, we stock replacement parts — pumps, filters, fusible links, and more.
Still deciding? We’ll spec it for you.
Tell us your largest part, your soils, and your volume, and we’ll recommend the right type and size — recirculating, immersion, agitation, spray cabinet, ultrasonic, or a custom parts washer if your job needs one.
Get a recommendation or call (800) 558-2148
FAQ
- What type of parts washer do most shops use?
- A recirculating (flow-through) washer is the most common for everyday manual cleaning of moderate soils. Heavy or intricate parts often call for an immersion or platform-agitation washer, high-volume work suits a spray cabinet, precision parts suit ultrasonic, and brake work calls for a brake washer.
- What size parts washer do I need?
- Size it to your largest part (footprint and depth), confirm the weight rating, and match the capacity to your daily volume. High-volume shops benefit from a larger unit, a spray cabinet, or a hands-free batch washer.
- When should I use an ultrasonic cleaner?
- Ultrasonic cleaning is best for small, precise, intricate, or delicate parts — it reaches blind holes, threads, and fine detail that spray and immersion can miss.
- Should I choose solvent or aqueous?
- Solvent suits heavy grease and fast, rinse-free drying; aqueous (including spray cabinets and ultrasonics) suits mixed soils and low-VOC compliance. See our solvent vs. aqueous guide for the full comparison.