Cleaner recommendations please...

[Ken]

I guess seeing that I have it this far apart now, I should clean it up somewhat and paint it so that at least it gives the appearance of a decent engine compartment.

The question I have is, what cleaner do y'all recommend? There a just too darn many to list in a poll (about 11,000), but I'll provide a link to the results from a Google search for "cleaners/degreasers". There are many, many products from which to choose, but maybe something like "Simple Green" is still the way to go? Some people were talking about another product here not long ago, but I can't remember what it was.

I rarely ask for advice ASAP, but time in the shop is costing me so I've gotta get this part done soon. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Jack]

Ken:
Simple green is a good choice for engine bay. Another one that is commonly available on grocery shelves in my area is "Greased Lightning" and "Greased Lightning Orange Blast" ... both are alkaline detergent ... the orange blast has a bit of citric acid added. I prefer the greased lightning cleaners ... they are quite similar to simple green in formulation, performance & price. As with most alkaline cleaners ... they'll oxidize the heck outa aluminum if not well rinsed ... and will strip/haze many paints.
www.greased-lightning.com
JACK:gap

 

[berky2500]

I use simple green straight up for the really greasy/oily stuff and 409 orange blast for the regular old dirt with excellent results. Don't need anything fancy, because they both work well.

 

[Ken]

Thanks people. Looks like I'll be gettin' dirty this afternoon. :gap

_ken

 

[JonM]

If I were you...I would go rent a powerwasher for 1/2 a day...makes life so simple.

 

[Ken]

...I would go rent a powerwasher

I've got one Jon, but it would make too much of a mess in the shop, and the car is kinda difficult to move around because of it's location in the shop (too many other cars). Believe me, there's nothing I'd like better than to be able to hose the engine compartment down with a powerwasher.

_ken

 

[95ZR1#418]

The first thing I do after pulling an engine is tow the car to a car wash and blast the compartment with soap cycle very close range, you can usually paint directly on most of the surface.

 

[C3forME]

Castrol Super Clean works unbelievably on grease and grime. I spray it on full strength, wait about ten minutes and then use a strong stream of water from a hose or powerwasher on it and it's as clean as it can be.

 

[RPO LS5]

Simple Green (concentrate), a hose, and some elbow grease....

 

[vette-dude]

Just curious but I seem to remember reading something about the use of certain type cleaners could possibly damage (as in de-laminate) the monloeaf springs on the later vettes. Any truth to this as I need to get after my front suspension soon??

Randy:confused

 

[Ken]

Simple Green (concentrate), a hose, and some elbow grease....

That's what I wound up doing.

Randy, I've heard the same thing, but I can't remember if it was a specific cleaner or what, that could delaminate the springs. If I think of it I'll post it here.

_ken