Grime removal

[bsmith123]

steam

is it possible to rent a steam cleaner? I've heard they work well

when the worst is off I have used TSP for general dirt and getting all the oil/ solvents off

I must of tried everything but nothing works like magic cept lots of elbow grease

 

[Oakley40]

Petroleum distillates can be anything like kerosene, naptha, gasoline, diesel, etc. It's a term used to generically describe a compound from refining oil in order to not give away trade secret information in a manufacturing formula. Look on the labels or MSDS's of oil based paint, stains, roofing tar, etc...it's almost always listed that way.

SOAPBOX...

Whatever you use be aware that rinsing the grease, oil and chemicals to gutters, storm drains or the dirt doesn't get rid of the problem it just contaminates our streams and waterways. Most counties have Household Hazardous Waste programs where you can take these wastes for free to be disposed of properly.

Safety...

Oven cleaner/Lye (sodium hydroxide) will burn your eyes like an egg in a hot frying pan....even when diluting it while spraying it off of your parts....BE CAREFUL wear goggles.

 

[Rigger]

SOAPBOX...

Whatever you use be aware that rinsing the grease, oil and chemicals to gutters, storm drains or the dirt doesn't get rid of the problem it just contaminates our streams and waterways. Most counties have Household Hazardous Waste programs where you can take these wastes for free to be disposed of properly.

Safety...

Oven cleaner/Lye (sodium hydroxide) will burn your eyes like an egg in a hot frying pan....even when diluting it while spraying it off of your parts....BE CAREFUL wear goggles.

X2 on both of these issues. Be sensible and be safe.

 

[rusty_tlc]

Try cheapo dollar store oven cleaner. It's mostly lye so it'll cut that grease. Spray it on, wait a while, then pressure wash off. Just like shampoo - lather, rinse, repeat (as much as ness.)

Krusty

Oven Cleaner works wonders, but Hot Tanking will take it all off

Yep, x3 on the oven cleaner. Scrape off the heavy stuff, go to the local car wash and use the degreaser, let it soak a while then blast it off. Then apply the oven cleaner and let it sit for about 10 minutes. It works good, You can even clean the engine block with it just make sure the exhaust manifold has cooled off.

What "Krusty" said....Works great and is cheap!

oven cleaner and power wash it... if you do that.. you might loose some of the old paint on the diff..
if you want it perfect.. then tear it down and hot tank it paint it and slap it back in..

i usually just power wash and paint... then put it back together..

on a side note... oxy clean works great on tail light lenses and turn signal lenses.. also other little parts...

I first read about using oven cleaner in a post by Junk.
I works, it works really really well.

Junk also suggest using toilet paper to clean the old grease/oil soup out of knuckles during a re-build, another idea I have used with great success.

 

[1975FJ40]

After shots

1st attempt after shots:

Putty knife, wire brush, oven cleaner, power washer.

 

[1975FJ40]

Valve cover

Before and after Valve cover. Still more to go on it.

 

[1975FJ40]

More results.

 

[65swb45]

How much to make my valve cover look like that?



Rebuilding those knuckles just got quite a bit more pleasant. Good work there. See you in the morning.

 

[1975FJ40]

Ha! Thanks...I figured it would be better to tear them down minus the inch thick layer of crud.

 

[65swb45]

Ha! Thanks...I figured it would be better to tear them down minus the inch thick layer of crud.

That kind of attitude will get you........................






















on the road SOONER, rather than later!

 

[1975FJ40]

That's the goal! Thanks for the help again! See ya in the AM.

 

[yota4ev]

Looks Like you did a great job, I prefer to use a dish soap called green works, I first came across it when I was washing the grease and grime off my hands at a friends kitchen sink an was quite amazed at clean it made my hands, no doubt go-jo couldn't hold a flame to this stuff. So I now use it in the garage as well, eco-friendly and does awesome job.

 

[psreno]

Just a WARNING on OVEN CLEANER.

IT WILL TAKE THE PAINT OFF TOO.

I royally F'd up my clean motor thinking I'd use oven cleaner to degrease. Don't use it on fresher paint to decrud.

Great for after scraping the parts you are working on. Hopefully you will not forget and find the hard way like me.

 

[Splangy]

I used a solvent that was just called "Petroleum Distillates". Generic square can that I bought at a machine and welding store. I'm pretty sure anything petroleum based would work the same. I once used a friends can of Gunk Carb and Parts cleaner and it worked just as well. There are safer and more eco-friendly cleaners out there that are citrus based, but they take longer to work and still don't perform as well.

Specifically, mineral spirits. The same stuff in those fancy expensive cans of parts cleaner.

 

[Lizardking]

Quick question about oven cleaner/degreaser...Will it destroy or eat at the wiring under the hood? Is it safe for wiring and plug connections?