dr bob

I confess that when I did motor mounts and pan gasket, I took the parts outside after they were removed, sprayed them with engine cleaner and let them sit, then pressure-washed them. Then simple green and rinse. Anything that didn't come off with that treatment is still on the parts, including cosmoline. You can get buried in trying to make things look perfect with no cosmoline, but for us road-car-drivers it's tough to pin a value on all that extra work. Yeah, the Rennbuddies like the way it looks in pictures, and they get to brag about how theirs is cleaner than yours. But unless you are doing real concours, I see no advantage. Some of my car has been de-cosmolined to make it serviceable. Where I had a PS fluid leak, all that stuff softened enough to get it off with a plastic scraper, so that part is clean. I sano'd the engine block sides to make it easier to spot leaks. Bottom line is, unless you have tons of spare time and don't mind the mess and the cost and the stink and the brain damage, don't worry that there's cosmoline on the car. If a part comes off the car as part of any service or repair, making it easy to just toss it in a pan of paint thinner, then fine. But otherwise, I don't see much reason to get excited about it. JMHO, YMMV.

dr bob

Oh, and about the mess, "laying in it", ad nauseum-- Grab some of that thick roll paper that's in the paint dept at H-D, and tape it down on the floor before you start the work. I add a piece of all-weather carpet, cut in sizes that fit in the garage washing machine. Cheap plastic dishpans, the lids of plastic storage bins, and the storage bins themselves help keep the mess under control, the parts and tools somewhat together and easy to recover from under the car.

Also, if you can, do as much cleeaning as possble before you start the project. After seeing a post from SeanR about cleaning the bottom pre-MM work, Ryan P did the same before he brought his car over for the same work. The time with the pressure washer and detergent paid back big time when the bottom was not nearly the 'normal' slimy mess. Net time saver for sure, and improves your attitude about the work when you do't have slimed clothes and tools to work with.

cfc928gt

Great advise dr bob. I horde big sheets of cardboard to put down and lay on but truthfully I'm getting real envious of all the guys with lifts in their garages.

jeff spahn

I am probably way off base but doesn't the cosmoline protect the parts from the outside world? I mean, shouldn't we really put it back on after working on the car? Up here in the salty, nasty part of Iowa I live in, the stuff probably protects the car from damage more than it detracts from the looks.

I drive my 928 pretty much year round and just make sure I run it through the car wash a couple times at the $25 level every week so it keeps the whole thing clean. I also rinse it before I park it if it's all snowy. Lives in a heated garage so the stuff does not get a chance to build up all winter.

MBMB

A gun guy says "steam cleaner."

droy3

For what it's worth the 993 crowd swear by a product called Xenit. There's many threads on the 993 board praising it. I've used it on non-car stuff and it does work really well. I think it's made by a company called Stoner, the same people who make Invisible Glass.

linderpat

the real experts are Chuck Z (Kermit cleaned) and James with Blue82. I'd like to hear their thoughts.

As for the mess under the car created while cleaning, I have those new pads used for house traing puppies. They are like flat pampers, with a plastic bottom and asorbant top side. Perfect for the dirty jobs underneath.

Calgary Ole

The protective coating applied at the factory, if you look closely at my photos, you can see a little in the corners of my bell housing and steering knuckle that I have not removed.
If you search, there is a few threads on removing

Lizard928

Droy3,

Is there anywhere in the GVRD that sells it?

JWise

Anyone tried Oil Flo Safety Solvent? I haven't used it on cosmoline, but it works well on tar so I think it would do the trick. Prolonged exposure will remove paint, but I've never had a problem with it as long as I thoroughly cleaned/rinsed right after use. Smells good too.

I buy mine from Larry Reynolds of Car Care Specialties. He's been active in Porsche concours and really seems to know his stuff.

http://store.carcareonline.com/titan...mpspray-1.aspx

droy3

Not that I'm aware of. I'm presently working in Calgary and haven't found it here either. I travel to TX several times a month which is where I bought it last time 'bout 8 months ago. I know that Cnd Tire carries Invisible Glass so they may be able to order it in...just a thought.

F451

Lots of great info guys, thanks!

I think I'm going to have to be a little bit more patient with the whole cleaning thing, seems to be the only way to insure that I don't do more bad then good when I'm cleaning.

Thanks again. -Ed

theedge

Go to Alder Auto and get some Purple Power.

Better than anything else, trust me.

blown 87

My big steam cleaner did not work very well on mine, YRMV.

dr bob

Beware that most "purple xxxxx" degreasers/cleaners are caustic. Look for the fine print that says not to use it on paint or aluminum, and you'll know why. Read the Labels.