I used to purchase a degreaser under the name Renusit. It came in a purple can and was made by Drackett. SC Johnson has since purchased them and my favorite degreaser is no longer made. It had a mild petroleum type smell. I would clean trigger assemblies, fishing reels, rifle bolts, and other small parts by putting a plastic bowl of plain water in the microwave. I would bring it to a boil, take it out, and add the degreaser product. Then I would introduce whatever I wanted to clean and stir it vigorously with a wooden spoon. All the old grease would come to the top and could easily be poured off. I then removed the very hot parts and shook off the excess water. Hot parts were placed on paper towels and immediately dried. A light coat of oil prevented future rust.
I bet I have cleaned Ambassador 5000 bait casting real parts a 1000 times like this. It really gets the gunk out and keeps parts very clean. In cold weather I clean my rifle bolts the same way and lube them with graphite. After the season ends I repeat the cleaning and go back to something like Rem Oil.
I've always wanted to make the cleaning blend called Ed's Red. It has white kerosene and transmission fluid in it. Don't know how pleasant it would be in the basement.
