Cleaning Parts (soak)

[5Toes]

I searched, but the only good thread I found was from 2004... and times have changed.

Okay so I have a 1966 Honda with 45 years of grease, oil, dirt, mud and anything else you can imagine on the engine, head and tranny cover.

Ive read gasoline, diesel, mineral spirits, kerosene... it all works. Im partial to Simple Green, because I dont want to use like half of our gallon at home because my Mom will be pissed, and I dont want to buy my own gallon either. Also Ive heard Diesel leaves a residue, and I definitely dont want that.

So basically I think Mineral Spirits will be best? The tranny/bottom end cover is aluminum, will this change/ruin it's finish? Any other better suggestions? I know Gas is cheaper but how would I dispose of it? We have like 4 one gallon jugs we put old oil and shit in, but wont gas eat right through that stuff (they are snocone syrup containers, etc. thicker plastic)

[5Toes]

Oh and if I only buy a quart or two, do the parts have to completely submerged, or will some just sitting on top of them work too?

[kway]

Gasoline is one of the best degreasers I've found, but it frightens people.

Disposal? Some towns have a hazardous waste day that might take it, or use it in small batches and most will evaporate anyway. Fuck it.

[ZM Blue Devil]

Spray 9. Home depot. 2 gallon. Let it soak them pressure wash.

L

[pureaudio]

I always use simple green in my parts washer, works for me. For a quick clean you can't beat a pressure washer though.

[Dj Buttchug]

brake cleaner

[Massive Lee]

Start by pressure washing the underpinning. You have no idea how efficient it is at removing grease and dirt. Then let it dry and only at this step, use a degreaser. Be prepared to stain your mother's driveway. You will need a gallon of degreaser just to clean it...

[5Toes]

Yay. Haha I need my own place, staining the drive way wont fly. Though we do have a pressure washer.

I just bought a quart of mineral spirits. Im soaking the head and valves in it as I speak.

If this doesn't work as well as I want, Ill try gasoline.

[blunttech]

dont use gas. if you think a stained driveway will piss your mom off imagine what a fried son and smoldering house will do for her spirits

[5Toes]

^ Hahahaha

[AlarmedBread]

Get 1 gallon of simple green + 2-3 gallons of water with it in a 5 gallon bucket. It works much better mixed with water. For most things it works better and is way cheaper than mineral spirits.

Works great, just throw stuff in and let it soak. If you skim the oil off the top and watch the acidity it can last for a few months of heavy cleaning. It works even better if it gets hot. I've thrown dirty cylinderheads and pistons in the bucket and they come out a day or two later shiny. I'll usually take some brushes to heavily deposited parts to break it up. Just watch the acidity so you don't discolor aluminum parts.

[blunttech]

Get 1 gallon of simple green + 2-3 gallons of water with it in a 5 gallon bucket. It works much better mixed with water.

Works great, just throw stuff in and let it soak. If you skim the oil off the top and watch the acidity it can last for a few months of heavy cleaning. It works even better if it gets hot. I've thrown dirty cylinderheads and pistons in the bucket and they come out a day or two later shiny. Just watch the acidity so you don't discolor aluminum parts.

simple green works better diluted than full strength? Ive never tried anything but full strength.

[5Toes]

Me confused

EDIT: the water wont rust anything? Hmm

[blunttech]

Me confused

EDIT: the water wont rust anything? Hmm

just the aluminum

[5Toes]

Wonderful. Haha yeah so Ill try that on the bigger parts, because one quart of the spirits is not enough for them. Infact its not enough for a cylinder head to be submerged either