Best degreaser?
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 160
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From: Enfield Connecticut
Best degreaser?
I know this isn't really a 48 and up-specific question, but I'd like to begin the daunting task of removing 59 years worth of grease etc. from my Flathead, and was wondering what degreasers have worked for you. I've used Engine-Brite in the past, but don't care much for the results. Thanks.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 813
Likes: 5
From: Meade, KS
A two inch putty knife, a medium flat head screw driver, and then Purple Power.
I've used Purple Power for the last four years in my detailing business. You can pick up various quantities at any parts house. I use it at full strength on engines, soak them down good, let them set a little and then spray them down with a hose. That will cut any film and make your engine look like new, but it isn't very effective on caked on, thick, chunky crud. So, scrape the crap, spray, and rinse. A parts cleaning brush comes in handy for nooks and crannies, too.
James
I've used Purple Power for the last four years in my detailing business. You can pick up various quantities at any parts house. I use it at full strength on engines, soak them down good, let them set a little and then spray them down with a hose. That will cut any film and make your engine look like new, but it isn't very effective on caked on, thick, chunky crud. So, scrape the crap, spray, and rinse. A parts cleaning brush comes in handy for nooks and crannies, too.
James
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,355
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From: I live in Mustang, OK
I just started the same task. Not a flat head but a rear end. Engine-Brite is a joke. I tried a number of things. A friend told me to use Ez-Off oven cleaner. It worked very well. Just slow. If you have a high pressure washer I'm sure it would work a lot faster. I just used a garden hose, not much pressure but it worked. I used it on the IFS and the IRS Had to do a little scraping on the thick stuff.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 160
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From: Enfield Connecticut
Thanks guys. I use a product called 'Grease Lightning' for my daily driver, but it's a little harsh (especially if you get it on your hands). I'll give purple power a try.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,294
Likes: 1,055
From: NM
Originally Posted by Blue50F-1
A two inch putty knife, a medium flat head screw driver, and then Purple Power.
I've used Purple Power for the last four years in my detailing business. You can pick up various quantities at any parts house. I use it at full strength on engines, soak them down good, let them set a little and then spray them down with a hose. That will cut any film and make your engine look like new, but it isn't very effective on caked on, thick, chunky crud. So, scrape the crap, spray, and rinse. A parts cleaning brush comes in handy for nooks and crannies, too.
James
I've used Purple Power for the last four years in my detailing business. You can pick up various quantities at any parts house. I use it at full strength on engines, soak them down good, let them set a little and then spray them down with a hose. That will cut any film and make your engine look like new, but it isn't very effective on caked on, thick, chunky crud. So, scrape the crap, spray, and rinse. A parts cleaning brush comes in handy for nooks and crannies, too.
James
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 813
Likes: 5
From: Meade, KS
Originally Posted by ALBUQ F-1
This is my method too, an hour of scraping will save a lot of time with the cleaner. Purple Power is NOT easy on your hands, it's very bad for them. I also use a "grout brush" (small stiff brush), they are able to get in tight places and last forever.
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Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,997
Likes: 9,886
From: Rio Rancho, NM
I've had great luck with Greased Lightning. Its not too easy on your hands though and they might peel after a long exposure to it but it will dang sure take off everything.
I had some brackets that had 30 years of cooked on, caked, on grundge, after a soaking overnight they didn't even have paint left on them.
Bobby
I had some brackets that had 30 years of cooked on, caked, on grundge, after a soaking overnight they didn't even have paint left on them.
Bobby
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,294
Likes: 1,055
From: NM
Originally Posted by havi
Orange-glo from the local grocery store, if all else fails, lol. A hot, hot, HOT pressure washer does wonders.
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,093
Likes: 653
From: Brentwood, TN
Pressure wash first, follow up with Castrol Super Clean full strength, then another good wash. I like the Super Clean (others have imitated, they are all purple in color) and it comes in gallon or sometimes 5 qt jugs at WalMart and other stores. This is a high alkali product (will burn your skin quickly) but it is also a non-petroleum based product and is environment friendly in that it will dillute quickly in water. This is not a fire hazard like petroleum products...really important to some folks who will be moving inside soon to take on their winter projects. This also works well on removing latex paint but it seems to be easy on car paint. It may remove the print from some underhood decals. When I wash my shop towels I dump Super Clean in the washer and let them soak before running the wash cycle, pulls the grease right out of the towels.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,776
Likes: 41
From: Minnesota
Pressure wash then see what is left. Connect the pressure washer to the hottest water the pressure washer can handle. You can buy a a screw in adapter that replaces the small screen many faucets have on the end and hook a garden hose to that. Also get a pressure washer that has a port that you can add cleaner to. You get the best of all options high pressure, hot water and cleaner. You can get a small electric unit for less than $100.00 that will work good for small jobs. I used a small electric unit to clean the floor of my 24 x 36 garage.