Cleaning Hydraulic systems (valves and such)

[J_J]

Here is an o-ring fluid compatibility chart for different chemicals. Long list. You should find something you can use to clean hydraulic fittings, o-rings, etc, and hydraulic fluids in general. Nitrile gloves for instance will handle quite a lot of different chemicals.

Fluid Compatibility Charts for Several Elastomers

 

[Wayne County Hose]

So, Wayne, what do you use as a pro to tear down and rebuild systems (in terms of cleaning).

I teardown the equipment, remove anything that may be damaged by solvents, and clean away. Brakleen, kero, whatever. Then most of the "soft" parts are replaced anyway. I could never see the point in using an old 0-ring. I always install new.
I wear nitrile gloves when working and will tell you that brakleen and kero tear them up fast. Don't believe me? Try it.

 

[ponytug]

The trouble with the rubber gloves, is that
a) they degrade, as you point out, and also
b) they trap solvent against your skin. (which is what we were trying to avoid)

There are tables of compatibility for solvents and gloves around, but I tend to use polyethylene gloves for the aggressive solvents and PVC gloves for the less aggressive solvents. The latter have the advantage of some flexibility and fit.

I agree with you about never reusing an old oring, although I have done it on occasion, such as when the only way to get the oring was to buy the 4' hydraulic hose it was attached to. (Some oddball oring on power steering pump return line.)

All the best,

Peter

I teardown the equipment, remove anything that may be damaged by solvents, and clean away. Brakleen, kero, whatever. Then most of the "soft" parts are replaced anyway. I could never see the point in using an old 0-ring. I always install new.
I wear nitrile gloves when working and will tell you that brakleen and kero tear them up fast. Don't believe me? Try it.