Method for detecting cracks and flaws in the surface of an object or part, employing a dye penetrant composition which, following application of the dye penetrant composition to the part surface, includes means for facilitating removal of excess dye penetrant from such surface, in the form of a volatile degreaser-type solvent such as 1,1,1-trichloroethane. According to one embodiment, an object to be inspected is immersed in a dye penetrant which will withstand high temperatures, specifically a dye penetrant containing a wax, for example paraffin wax, a volatile solvent, preferably 1,1,1-trichloroethane, and a dye which is soluble in said volatile solvent, preferably a fluorescent dye, the dye penetrant composition being maintained at the boiling temperature of the volatile solvent, causing melting of the wax, which goes into solution, and vaporization of such solvent into a zone above the heated liquid dye penetrant composition, removing the object from the heated liquid dye penetrant composition, passing the object into the zone containing vapors of the volatile solvent and maintaining the object in the vapor zone for a period sufficient to cause vapors of the volatile solvent contacting and condensing on the surface of the object, to wash excess liquid dye penetrant from the surface of the object back into the liquid dye penetrant composition, together with condensed vapors of volatile solvent, removing and drying the object. The process is conveniently carried out in a degreaser-type apparatus, in which the object is initially passed through the vapors of volatile solvent above the bubbling liquid dye penetrant composition in the bottom of the degreaser, permitting facile removal of any oil or grease from the surface of the object, after which the object is then treated in the liquid dye penetrant composition, then again passed upwardly through the vapors of volatile degreaser solvent to remove excess liquid dye penetrant and dried, as previously noted, following which the dried surface of the object containing dye penetrant including wax in the cracks and defects thereof, with or without application of a developer, can be inspected under appropriate lighting conditions for detection of cracks and flaws.