Parts cleaner help

[maingear]

Have used almost everything available to the general public. Only gasoline works fast. Should I try something else? Need something safe on aluminum as well as steel. Steam cleaning works well too, but don't want to spend big bucks for a small project.

 

[Joe_E]

Try diesel fuel if you don't like the brakleen or gasoline.
Outside of course.

 

[bigredmachine]

simple green willl work, but if not diluted can do bad things to aluminum. what are you cleaning anyways?

 

[misterpepper]

Oven cleaner, but it's hard on paint. WD-40 works as a pre-soak.

 

[Frankencruiser]

Biodiesel works well.

 

[jimkyser]

second vote for the oven cleaner. I especially like the newer low-odor version.

 

[FJ60Seth]

Gasoline or methyl ethyl ketone. Gasoline is obviously cheaper. You should wear gloves. I wear a respirator that's just me.

 

[Pin_Head]

Gasoline is not so smart for the obvious reason. Diesel and paint thinner work as well, but without the danger. Oven cleaner/lye/TSP work very well and are water soluble, but also remove paint and they can etch aluminum.

 

[Michael Hanson]

Diesel works about the best,brake cleaners not bad, never gas. Another route baking soda cleaning. Mike

 

[Alaska Ranger]

If what you're trying to clean off is an organic compound - which, if it's in or around an engine, it probably is, and if what needs to be cleaned has ZERO rubber or "plastic" parts of any kind - then a commercial kitchen cleaner may be the ticket, as it is 100% safe on aluminum. I have one called "Carbon Off" - you can get it at a commercial kitchen supply store. Just looked at its active ingredients, which are, in order: Dichloromethane, "Aromatic hydrocarbon" (whatever that means. The code for that particular nasty is: 108-88-3) and Methyl Alcohol.
Again, just do not let it get near anything non-metallic, although I would be interested to know how teflon responds to it.

 

[LCOwner]

Do NOT use oven cleaner on aluminum. It will discolor it. I like to use mineral spirits to clean parts. It can be filtered and used a few times.