I need a really strong oil & grease remover.
 

I had a leaky power steering pump and steering gear. It'd been that way for quite a while before I fixed it, so I have a pretty thick coating of caked on dirt & oil on the underside of the block, transfer case, & front differential and all that stuff up front. I got most of the gunk off that I could get to with a brush and Purple Power, but can't get to all the nooks & crannies. I was thinking about mixing up some liquid laundry detergent with some sort of solvent... maybe laquer thinner, acetone, toluene, or mineral spirits and coating the gunk, letting it sit for a while, then blasting it off with a garden hose. It'd take a week to get it all out of there with Purple Power as I can't get in there to scrub on it.

I'd take it to the car wash, but I'd have to roll around on 30 degree wet concrete for 30 minutes... that's too hard on my bum knee. The truck is on a lift in my shop, so I can stand to coat it and hose it off.

So basically, is there a recipe for a much stronger grease/oil/dirt remover than the Purple Power?

Any ideas?
Thanks!
Chris

i dunno. Compressed air from the top-side?

Have you tried oven cleaner? Go to the dollar store and buy a few cans. Works great for cleaning frames.

yep but be careful
it will eat skin and paint too

I'm a fan of kerosene.

Diesel fuel, WD-40 then Dish soap.

Dollar store oven cleaner ain't worth sheet. Get the good stuff, like Easy Off.

Diesel... didn't think of that. That might do it. I can't get kerosene in town. There are some spots that I could get oven cleaner on w/o getting it on wires and sensors and paint. I'll give both of those a go tomorrow... seperately, of course!

Thanks!

Over cleaner doesn't always work, tried that (Easy Off, just like recommended) and all it did was irritate my skin and leave the grease on.

CRC brake clean red can not the green. It takes off just about anything. About five dollars a can.

When you think about it you are trying to break down a petroleum product. You need to find a product that is a higher distillate of petroleum then a strong detergent will wash that residue off.

DO NOT USE OVEN CLEANER on any part that's still on the vehicle. It will corrode your sheet metal and pretty much anything it comes in contact with. I tried that on my '82 Cordoba and ended up having to replace the ac lines. Many other parts that received overspray corroded and had to be cleaned up and repainted.

And, it didn't even work that well. I've found that the cheap brake or carburetor cleaner at Walmart cleans as well or better than anything else. It's call super tech and it also works well getting oil stains off my driveway that my trusty 455 likes to leave.

It will, however, take off engine paint so you can't let it soak for too long.

I've used foaming engine degreaser on a few vehicles and it does a dang good job even using a regular garden hose. I think its the gunk brand stuff.

Oven cleaner is caustic acid, I definitely wouldn't use that. Brake clean evaporates. I've tried all brands the red CRC is the best. Most of the other brands are non CFC or environmental friendly....and we all know what that means. All brands will work to some degree. I even use it to kill bugs. It will stop the biggest cockroach in its tracks and not leave residue on your drapes. Shoots far with pinpoint accuracy, but since the can doesn't have sights on it you have to lead them a little. LOL It kills wasps, bees and ants on contact. No residue, so lasting power. Try that with Raid! Or wasp killer. Spray a wasp nest and they just fall to the ground.

Dawn dish soap, elbow grease and patience.

Man! You guys work too hard...LOL

True dat ^^^^
There really is a difference...and DON'T get the no fumes stuff....get the 100% real deal original. It'll eat that stuff alive and you with it if you're not careful....The only problem I've ever had with it is that it doesn't work as well when the item is cold.....So, it may work a lot better on a warm engine than a cold ps pump.
Never had any problem with overspray causing corrosion.
Brake cleaner does work well but it just goes so fast and evaporates almost immediately. I like the oven cleaner because you can let it work for while.

I've always used the Red CRC Brakleen. It removes most everything and then evaportates.

Simple Green.

We are currently re-painting our shop equipment and need to remove up to 20 years of grease, oil, and residue prior to applying new paint.

We tried a few different cleaners from the local Menards with ok results.

Upon checking with McMaster Carr looking for an industrial type cleaner for grease and oil, they advised Simple Green, which they sell in 5 gallon containers. Ordered one up and it works like a charm.

x2 If you want to purchase a smaller amount, try Sams or Wally World for the 1gallon size...often comes with "bonus" plastic spray bottle. Smells good, and works w 100% strength and IIRC is organic. Been useing it for years on COLD wheels and tires to remove brake dust, etc.

Gum cutter works great on a concrete floor. Just spray it on and wipe it off. Raises grease right out of concrete. Buy it at local parts store in a spray can. Jon

Something I'll mention about most of the Purple cleaners...They contain lye which will flat out ruin any aluminum in comes into contact with...Unless you like the mottled dark gray anodized look.

What's wrong with leaving it there? Sounds like a lotta work for a truck. Caked on oil is a good protectant,just unsightly but shouldnt really matter on a dd? Just my opinion

lowes has a cheap electric pressure washer for under 100 bucks. works great.

If you can find the Red, it works the best but evaporates too quickly. You'll go thru a case in no time. I've found out the Red is no longer sold in New Jersey. and probably other states too. The Green stuff isn't worth buying. If you'd need a case of Red to clean parts, you'd 4 cases of Green to do the same job.

I'd use one of those parts cleaner tubs with the good parts cleaner. But you have to remove the part.

A steam pressure washer works best with no chemicals to clean up afterwards. If you can find one to rent I'd do that, but make sure you have a bunch of stuff to clean like GTO John does with his shop. ;)

The Op said he didn't want to go to the car wash cause he didn't want roll around on wet concrete.
I usually pressure wash mine too, but I have a lift.

gas
 

gasoline

The funniest line is the caustic acid in Oven cleaner. Cautic yes, acid no. without getting intot the pH scale here, an acid based material (solution) is low pH and an alkaline or caustic solution is a high pH matrial or solution. The alkaline stuff works better on animal (polar) grease than petroleum grease. Remember grandma's soap from school, that was made with tallow (fat) and caustic.

Something petroleum based will be best. maybe a plactic spatula to scrape of the major crud and some diesel fuel (that Gunk engine degreaser spray), which is close to kerosene and jet fuel, home heating oil etc. and a stiff plastic bristle brush, then some purple clean. Wear rubber gloves and splash goggles.

Greg

I'm glad I can amuse you! I meant to say caustic soda, it was late. It's guys like you that make people not want to contribute! Correct me yes, be a jerk, No!

Try ZEP, water base, but will even fizz aluminum if left too long. Spray and saturate on a hot engine or tranny with a pump sprayer and let it set NOT long enough to dry and pressure wash. Same with grease stains in concrete, don't let it dry, and pressure wash. Don't get any on your hands very long or you will be peeling skin off. Buy it at Lowes or Home Depot in gallon jugs.

That's my thought also. It's what was used as undercoating for years

You and your Op haven't a clue. A steam pressure washer and a car wash are NOT the same animal.

Here's a clue for you! Where I live most of the car washes are not the drive your car in and a machine rolls past you. Here, a majority are a bay you drive in and there's a pressure washer nozzle you physically pressure wash your car. It has settings for soap, wax, rinse, Etc. Although not steam I assumed that is what he is talking about. Are you not aware of such devices?

My OP ? WTF is that supposed mean? Do you mean the "original poster"? A" steam pressure washer" is not a bad idea, but to use it effectively you need crawl around under the car!!! I was merely reminding you the guy doesn't want to roll around on wet concrete. Its 30* where he comes from and he has a bum knee. Reread post #1.
So, before you think you're the smartest person in world or everybody just stupid you should rethink.