cleaning the engine?
02-23-2009, 10:01 PM
#16
Nordschleife Master
Wildwest is correct,
hence why I listed the time limit, I normally dont wait as long as I posted, but I have yet to find anything that cuts grease like it yet.
hence why I listed the time limit, I normally dont wait as long as I posted, but I have yet to find anything that cuts grease like it yet.
02-23-2009, 10:14 PM
#17
Malcome, don't know if you can get it, but I use Formula 88 de-greaser,(Lowes, Home Depot) followed by a brush, then some water to rinse it. Just used a ****load of it on Richards car tonight and am amazed by how clean it got. I usually use Simple Green but Brad W got me hooked on this stuff.
/on edit, all from spray bottles.
/on edit, all from spray bottles.
02-23-2009, 10:41 PM
#18
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The Simple Green degreaser can corrode things -- keep it off the wire harness ends and alternator. The old-school simple green that comes in a gallon jug is safer and less toxic, though it works slower.
02-23-2009, 10:47 PM
#19
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Of all the Euro cities I worked in I love Montreal; best of both worlds IMHO and they 'had' the F1 GP.
I figured as much with airplane restrictions these days; I'll humbly ask the SO if she can visit the local NAPA store and ask if they carry it............the other stores would mean a trip to the big city.
thx much
I figured as much with airplane restrictions these days; I'll humbly ask the SO if she can visit the local NAPA store and ask if they carry it............the other stores would mean a trip to the big city.
thx much
I like Simple Green also.
02-23-2009, 10:55 PM
#20
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We like Castrol Super Clean, when we can find it.
But we do seem to have trouble finding it regularly. And, very important, you cannot leave it on long. That stuff is no joke.
Takes old salad dressing oil stains out of silky blouses pretty good too.
But we do seem to have trouble finding it regularly. And, very important, you cannot leave it on long. That stuff is no joke.
Takes old salad dressing oil stains out of silky blouses pretty good too.
02-23-2009, 11:23 PM
#22
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Couldn't agree more.
Makes stuff look like new... Hmmmm....I wonder if it would work on my hair? Maybe wash the grays out?
Nah.....it would probably turn it all gray instead with my luck.
Too bad it can't elminate wrinkles. It would be like water from the Fountain of Youth. And even harder to find, no doubt!
02-23-2009, 11:44 PM
#24
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Read the labels...
Most of the heavy-duty degreasers are pretty darn caustic. I know the purple stuff from H-D is, and no reason to believe that the Castrol Purple stuff is far off. The one I have lists sodium hydroxide and cellosolve as actives IIRC. Great for degreasing bare metal but requires a very thorough rinsing to neutralize. It will lift paint given a bit of time. If you go the Orange Cleaner route, the problem goes the other way-- it's a mild acid. Tougher on electrical than purpel but we are talking degrees here; Both are tough on anything copper including wiring. Since the stuff wicks up inside the insulation of any exposed copper wiring, it's a time bomb.
For serious degreasing I use Gunk Foamy Engine Brite. Works well, but the runoff is not suitable for the driveway or the storm sewer. It will do a number on your asphalt, and stains concrete with whatever comes off the car. Use it at the pay-to-spray car wash where they have a grease trap in the drain system.
For my own cars that pick up road grime and then embed dirt in the film, the regular Simple Green works great. Spray it on with a spray bottle, and for more serious stuff a garden pump sprayer is great. Dilute it some in the bug sprayer since you can get a lot on there in a hurry. Follow with the pressure washer if I'm doing the whole bottom of the car, or the high-pressure water hose if I want to keep the mess localized at one end of the car. I did learn to put a big tarp down under the car and the nearby concrete to keep the runoff from staining the driveway. Just guide the runoff where you want it I guess.
For the great frozen north, you'll have a tough time keeping whatever water you use from freezing, and no matter what it's going to take a really long time to evaporate. You may decide to wait for a warm spell to do this, so you don't have water standing in odd places and cavities for months, waiting for spring.
Most of the heavy-duty degreasers are pretty darn caustic. I know the purple stuff from H-D is, and no reason to believe that the Castrol Purple stuff is far off. The one I have lists sodium hydroxide and cellosolve as actives IIRC. Great for degreasing bare metal but requires a very thorough rinsing to neutralize. It will lift paint given a bit of time. If you go the Orange Cleaner route, the problem goes the other way-- it's a mild acid. Tougher on electrical than purpel but we are talking degrees here; Both are tough on anything copper including wiring. Since the stuff wicks up inside the insulation of any exposed copper wiring, it's a time bomb.
For serious degreasing I use Gunk Foamy Engine Brite. Works well, but the runoff is not suitable for the driveway or the storm sewer. It will do a number on your asphalt, and stains concrete with whatever comes off the car. Use it at the pay-to-spray car wash where they have a grease trap in the drain system.
For my own cars that pick up road grime and then embed dirt in the film, the regular Simple Green works great. Spray it on with a spray bottle, and for more serious stuff a garden pump sprayer is great. Dilute it some in the bug sprayer since you can get a lot on there in a hurry. Follow with the pressure washer if I'm doing the whole bottom of the car, or the high-pressure water hose if I want to keep the mess localized at one end of the car. I did learn to put a big tarp down under the car and the nearby concrete to keep the runoff from staining the driveway. Just guide the runoff where you want it I guess.
For the great frozen north, you'll have a tough time keeping whatever water you use from freezing, and no matter what it's going to take a really long time to evaporate. You may decide to wait for a warm spell to do this, so you don't have water standing in odd places and cavities for months, waiting for spring.
02-23-2009, 11:44 PM
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02-23-2009, 11:49 PM
#26
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Concensus on the Castrol product and Simple Green...........I'll see whats available locally and go from there............thx.
Leslie........I've no friggin idea; when my wife dyes her hair I acknowledge there's a diff but as typical hate being put in the questionary position.....good, better, worse?
Leslie........I've no friggin idea; when my wife dyes her hair I acknowledge there's a diff but as typical hate being put in the questionary position.....good, better, worse?
02-23-2009, 11:51 PM
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Suck it up, Malcolm. You married her for better or worse. That includes helping with hair sometimes. Especially if you live in the boonies. Who else is she gonna ask?? 
02-23-2009, 11:55 PM
#28
Thanks Dr. Bob on that,
Here are the ingredients for the Formula 88.
*Water (duh) Ethylene Glycol Monobutylether, Surfactant, Sodium-methasilicate, dye (purple I'm sure)
WTF does all that stuff do besides get rid of grease?
Here are the ingredients for the Formula 88.
*Water (duh) Ethylene Glycol Monobutylether, Surfactant, Sodium-methasilicate, dye (purple I'm sure)
WTF does all that stuff do besides get rid of grease?
02-23-2009, 11:58 PM
#29
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For the great frozen north, you'll have a tough time keeping whatever water you use from freezing, and no matter what it's going to take a really long time to evaporate. You may decide to wait for a warm spell to do this, so you don't have water standing in odd places and cavities for months, waiting for spring.
02-24-2009, 12:04 AM
#30
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On topic, Ive used varsol (paint thinner) in the past but its quite volatile although doing a good job.............SG is better I assume from the enviro perspective.