Cleaning the engine
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,148
Likes: 5
From: South Dakota
After a pressure wash, I use hot water and Dawn dish washing liquid with a scrub brush. Then hot water, then some metal etch, then hot water again. Blow it dry with compressed air. Make sure it is dry and then wipe on and wipe off with some PPG or Ditzler wax and grease remover. Then paint.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,900
Likes: 2
From: Nixa Missouri
After a pressure wash, I use hot water and Dawn dish washing liquid with a scrub brush. Then hot water, then some metal etch, then hot water again. Blow it dry with compressed air. Make sure it is dry and then wipe on and wipe off with some PPG or Ditzler wax and grease remover. Then paint.
I bought a couple of 1 quart spray bottles to spray and rinse off the area I cleaned then the grease & wax remover then hi temp paint if the paint was or will be close to high heat. Not all the paint I used was a high temp paint in the engine bay.
Hope this helps.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,114
From: Crossville TN
If you eventually want to clean up the entire vehicle (frame, engine, etc.), you will be time and money ahead to just take it to a place that can steam-clean it all. Believe me, if you have anything like the years of thick grease, dirt, crud on yours that I had on mine, steam-cleaning as a starting point is the way to go.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 99
Likes: 1
From: Houston Tx
Steam cleaning huh? Never heard of that. How do you go about finding a place to do that? Once it has been steamed, is it ready to paint or do you have to some more prep work? Does it take care of any minor surface rust? Whats an approximate cost on that?
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Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
Rick B.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 99
Likes: 1
From: Houston Tx
I wonder if this is worth getting.
http://www.harborfreight.com/steam-c...-kit-8823.html
I guess it just depends at what pressure the steam needs to be to do a good job and if this one can get to that pressure.
http://www.harborfreight.com/steam-c...-kit-8823.html
I guess it just depends at what pressure the steam needs to be to do a good job and if this one can get to that pressure.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,148
Likes: 5
From: South Dakota
Steam cleaning combines a pressure washer and it also has a boiler on it to super heat the water. They work great, but are much more expensive to rent or pay for their services. I use a small pressure washer with 2750 psi. They cost between $300-500. What you need to do is peel the layers of grease off so you can do some final cleaning by hand with a brush.
Taylorbg - I don't think that steam cleaner is going to come close to doing what we are talking here.
Taylorbg - I don't think that steam cleaner is going to come close to doing what we are talking here.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,112
Likes: 28
From: Florida
A steam cleaner is probably the best item for grease, oil and crud removal. You will still have to use a good degreaser and rinse with water afterward.
Had a "Steam Jenny" brand years ago and used it to clean off construction equipment prior to repair or painting. About the only thing that works well, much better than a pressure washer.
Check out an heavy equipment, forklift, even an farm equipment repair place. maybe they can help you, machines are far too costly to buy.
Had a "Steam Jenny" brand years ago and used it to clean off construction equipment prior to repair or painting. About the only thing that works well, much better than a pressure washer.
Check out an heavy equipment, forklift, even an farm equipment repair place. maybe they can help you, machines are far too costly to buy.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,114
From: Crossville TN
A good steam-job will remove ALL of the oil, grease, crud from the various areas of the car. You need to identify all the areas you want treated carefully for the guy doing the work so sensitive areas don't get damaged (electrical wiring, any markings/decals you want to keep). The guy doing the work can regulate how aggressively he uses the steam jet, so you can minimize any damage by being clear on that.
It won't remove rust...but it might blow holes in rusted through metal components. Hey, that makes them easier to spot! To finish paint, all you need to do is wipe the surface with some lacquer thinner or other solvent, then have at it. Believe me, the grief you will save (and all those brain cells that won't get killed by excessive solvent fumes) will be worth much more than the dollars you spend on a good steam cleaning.
P.S. Just look up "Steam Cleaning" in the Yellow Pages or Google it on the internet.
It won't remove rust...but it might blow holes in rusted through metal components. Hey, that makes them easier to spot! To finish paint, all you need to do is wipe the surface with some lacquer thinner or other solvent, then have at it. Believe me, the grief you will save (and all those brain cells that won't get killed by excessive solvent fumes) will be worth much more than the dollars you spend on a good steam cleaning.
P.S. Just look up "Steam Cleaning" in the Yellow Pages or Google it on the internet.
