What's the best way to clean the outside of the engine before painting it? I've heard from one source that diesel does a great job. Any other tips and tricks? TIA.
Brake cleaner cuts grease like a hot knife through butter. Wire brushes of various sizes to scape away grime and to fit in smaller crevices, air compressor to blow out crevices and plenty of rags. Oil dry to soak up the mess on your garage floor after you're done. You may also try a drill with a wire bristle adaptor to grind away paint and dirt.
i cleaned mine with plain old "gunk"foaming engine degreaser.of course it was hangin from an engine stand:TU: i used a giant bag(no holes) used to cover a 1 ton pallet of wood pellets that i pulled up around the motor.let the gunk sit for awhile,hit it with a hand wire brush,used a water bottle with a drinking nipple to rinse.all the crap stays in the bag,then you stuff it into a 5 gallon bucket & take it to the dump & drop it at the hazz waste area for free:TU: no mess,no poluting.:Smarty:btw oven cleaner works too.
Oven Cleaner beats them all (Walmart Brand is about .88 cents a can) . Do NOT get on aluminum though ! I use a stiff bristle brush gloves and eye protection then after the oven cleaner I also use the walmart "Super Clean" (castrol knock-off that works excellant and is cheaper) . I usually pre-soak the engine a few times with the Walmart soap to keep it wet . Rinse or pressure wash good , blow it off then go to the oven cleaner for the tough stuff . Cleans insides of valve covers / oil pans great ! Steve
i've found that a pressure washer with degreaser additive works pretty well. becareful near seals. it may remove paint too.
If you want to get the engine spotless inside and out, use this trick my grandpa told me. He says this is the same thing as vatting the engine. Get a 55 gallon drum (metal), put it up on some bricks, and build a fire under it. While the water is heating, add some lye. I can't remember how much, but I think that he said to add until it foams. After the water is hot, lower the block in with a BIG chain, and leave it for about 45 minutes. When it comes out, it will be spotless and grease free. I think that this will damage aluminum, so be careful. I don't know what kind of environmental restrictions that you have in Sweden, but this might be worth a try. Good Luck! -Clay
Wow this is incredibly dangerous. Lye is nasty stuff. If you put aluminum parts in there the lye would eat them and produce hydrogen (simple chemistry). If you could do this safely sounds like a good idea.
DO NOT, Repeat, DO NOT let "Skylarkwilly" read Ric 's Quote!!!!!!!:shock: The Local PD will be trying to figure what has happened to his Neighbors!:grin:
Limeaway won't bother aluminum and gets grease off pretty good. I know I used it cleaning food service stuff coming back from field training exercises.
The best, quickest, way with the engine in the car or out , is a good steam cleaner. Hit it first with steam and soapy water. then hit it with pure simple green, let it soak a couple of hours. then resteam it. It is best to tape over the carb and alt.
If. and only IF you are rebiulding the entire engine. Take it to a place" if avalible" That will do media blasting.Walnut shells,or plastic.or soda blasting works the best. the soda won't hurt the alumenum or glass. THIS WILL GET EVRYWERE THOUGH. Thoughly clean all of engine including the oil gallys with sopy water, rinse then wipe down before you paint. Try also to do any mods "grinding casting flash ext before it is blasted. Best to have engine disisembled when you take it to the blaster. Hope this may help you. DON"T USE COAL SLAG> IT"S TO HARSH. BuickSmith
The front section of the chassis of my car, including all steering linkage, springs etc etc. had like a 1/2 inch layer of oil/grit/dirt on it. I took it to this place where you can clean your own car with a power washer and sprayed a couple of bottle of "gunk" on the whole front section and then pressure washed it. Came out real nice..
