I use this in a motorcycle shed to clean parts and it replaced the Harbor Freight unit which looked very similar but is much better. The pump is obviously a retrofit from an old HF unit, although the main body is almost identical except the paint job is much better here. I think powder coated. I used a water based solvent, Simple Green Industrial Solution, I mixed it 50/50 with water. I didn't clean up very quickly, so I bought an inexpensive electric skillet from Walmart for about $20. I put a parts cleaner on it, set it on a very low temperature and once the solution warmed up it cleaned a lot better than the old petroleum based solutions like Castrol or Safe-T-Kleen. Incredibly fast and efficient! Also, I used to have to wash off the oil-based cleaner with soapy water. With the Simp Green material it already dissolves very well in water so a quick squeeze with the hose will do the trick, one stop cleaning. Many water-based degreasing solvents are available. People don't like them because they don't work well unless they're warmed up. Believe me. Heat your solution to no more than 110-120 degrees Fahrenheit, and it's not too hot to get your hands in, but it works much better than your grandfather's thinner or chemicals like Safe-T-Kleen. Great little washing machine, would like more but I'm so tight on space right now. real ship.