kenpeindl

What is a good degreaser it use. I'm cleaning my front suspension and have some really hard on grease. So far I've tried Gunk, Simply Green at a 1 to 1 mix and a power washer. Also been scraping in between with a putty knife and wire brush. I know it's going to take time and elbow grease but was look something that will do a better job breaking down the harded grease.

c4cruiser

Brake parts cleaner does a good job for localized areas. Spray it on and let it sit for a couple minutes then use a stiff brush to knock off the hardened grease/dirt. It also evaporates quickly so there's really nos rinsing involved.

Try to use it in a ventilated area as it's not a good idea to inhale it. You can usually find it on sale at auto parts stores. AutoZone has their own brand for $2.79 right now. But most of the time a large can will run $3-$4.

mtwoolford

just don't get it in your eyes

Tom400CFI

It won't hurt you if you get it in your eyes. Just blink a few times and you'll be find.



It's fantastic for small areas. works way better than typical "degreasers". For more built up grease/dirt and bigger areas, only one way to get the job done (efficiently), and that is a POWER WASHER. Better if you have access to one w/hot water. Take the car to a U-do-it car wash and get after it w/the washer wand.

Dakotaz

Purple power at WalMart and Oreiley's is pretty good stuff.

Black LS2

Carefull of harsh cleaners and the fiberglass spring...Simple Green is a good choice.

kenmohr

used WD40 and let it set. Then Simple Green.

Paul Workman

For burnt-on grease/oil I discovered "Easy-Off" oven cleaner over night worked like a charm.

For grease not baked on, the pressure-washer and full-strength Simple Green or one of the many degreasers available at most auto parts stores work as well as any.

94Z07

If you have an air grinder and some patience, you can use a wire brush in the air grinder and it will tear the baked on grease off. It doesn't really damage the aluminum either.

Once you are done you can re-seal the aluminum with meguiars polish.

Look at my resto thread and you will see my front suspension, that was a mix of using degreaser to remove the light stuff, and then a wire brush as well as the air grinder to remove all the baked on crap.

As the poster above me stated, "Oven Cleaner' works wonders as well.

ricasso

WD40, work it in with a stiff nail brush or similar, give it a second coat then let it soak in overnight, jet wash off the next day.

chadk

Gasoline works well too.

3JsVette

Another vote for WD40 and Simple Green.

rocco16

Yep. Best I've found.

JD Shredds

I don't know why I never considered WD40 for use as a larger scale degreaser. Duh. Today I used it to clean up some bolts successfully, but didn't even cross my mind to use it on a larger scale.

Personally, I'm not very impressed with the "Supertech" stuff from Walmart. Even if using a generous amount and letting it soak, just doesn't seem to get the deep stuff out for me. At least on old aluminum.

vader86

Oven Cleaner (Lye) for the really caked on stuff, Brakleen for the rest. Simple Green or Purple Power for cleaning thereafter.

If Lye and Brakleen don't get it off then its not coming off.

kenpeindl

Oven cleaner never gave that a thought. I'll have to try.

Gooseit

I cleaned my undercarriage from front to rear including front suspension with kerosene and a stiff bristle brush. just poured a few gallons in a 5 gallon bucket and went at it. Worked for me.

Goose

tbirdsps

I always use simple green. I've heard that the purple stuff reacts badly with aluminum but I've never used it. Read the labels carefully.

Cliff Harris

I've been using paint thinner for many years. Now I see that they no longer sell "paint thinner" at Lowe's.

I guess it has some nasty chemicals in it that the state of California doesn't want me to get involved with. A friend of mine only buys brake cleaner in Arizona because the California version no longer has the "good stuff" in it.