next week im going to pick up another project the engine bay is an absolute mess with a buildup of oil grease and god knows what else thats probably been building up since the truck was new my plan is to drench the engine bay axles and trans in degreaser as soon as i get it on my trailer and stop at the truck wash on my way home but im not sure which degreaser will work best and am wondering what my fellow denside owners have found works best

 

if you want cheap, and don't mind getting under the truck get some oven cleaner. about a dollar a can. For underneath it will work fine.
It doesn't play nice with shiny/rubber stuff though. So I'd be aware of where you spray it. I like simple green as well. It's the same as oven cleaner with shiny stuff though.
For some of the harder thick crud, I scrape with a putty knife

 

I've used Purple Power for the tough gunk, primarily underneath. That stuff is crazy strong. Be very careful using it as it will discolor paint and aluminum/bare metal. You should also wear some kind of glasses/goggles as it's way strong but it's pretty awesome. I use it primarily underneath the engine/tranny on projects, etc. after scrapping off the excess gunk with a putty knife.

 

Purple Power= Best stuff I ever found..... If you want a little more gentle cleaner try this :

 

I pressure wash first to take the heavy stuff off, and use purple power. It works great, and I got 2.5 gallons for $14 at Lowes.

 

Kerosene works wonders. Put it in a pump up sprayer and let soak. Cheaper than almost any commercial degreaser

 

I found this stuff at the dollar store (for $1), it has to be some of the best stuff that I have ever used, especially for the price. I say try it, you can't go wrong for $1.

 

As stated above. Pressure wash first, soak in purple power for about 10 min. Keep it wet by re spraying. Then pressure wash again. May have to do this twice for super heavy stuff. Purple power so far is the best de greaser I've ever found besides kerosene.

 

Best stuff ever!!!!




You can buy it by the gallon or 2.5 gal at walmart. It's biodegradeable and works awesome. I bought one of those 2 gal pump sprayers for it. I pour it in straight (diluting works but I like it straight). The best way I've found is to drive around for a while and get the engine hot, spray the entire engine bay down, let it set for 10 mins or so then power wash it with hot water. Makes anything look like new.

 

I use diesel in a spray bottle, let it soak for a couple minutes then power wash

 

What ever you use if you do not at least tarp the trailer before you pressure wash it, you will wash all that gunk onto your trailer.....

I do not like to crawl around in crud when strapping down a truck and then transfer it to my truck seats.

A 5 dollar tarp will let you drag it all off after the car wash. Oven cleaner and simple green are corrosive to aluminium.

 

Gasoline is incredibly useful for pulling that stuff off.

Mineral spirits works about as well but is slower. Mineral spirits is a lot more friendly as well, especially if you plan on spraying it.