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Cleaning up under the car

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Old Dec 5, 2022 | 10:04 AM
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Default Cleaning up under the car

Hi there

What's the best thing to degrease and cleanup under the car if you can't use water to rinse off engine cleaner? I was thinking brake cleaner and a bunch of rags. Is it safe to use brake cleaner around gaskets and grease fittings?

Thanks

Tim
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Old Dec 5, 2022 | 10:11 AM
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I've used mineral spirits and old rags. Buy a bunch of wash cloths from Dollar Tree. Use, abuse, and dispose.
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Old Dec 5, 2022 | 10:19 AM
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When you say you can't use water do you mean spraying with a hose?
How about a spray bottle or water soaked rag?

I'd use something like 409 or simple green, rags and soft bristle brushes, then wipe it down with water soaked rags, use a spray bottle of water to flush out any cracks and crevices.
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Old Dec 5, 2022 | 10:21 AM
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Yeah thats a good point. It's up on quickjacks for the winter and using a hose in the garage is obviously not going to work out very well.
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Old Dec 5, 2022 | 10:56 AM
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Originally Posted by TimKeon
Yeah thats a good point. It's up on quickjacks for the winter and using a hose in the garage is obviously not going to work out very well.
Paper towels, Cotton towels. Shop towels saturated with oils can become very combustible especially when stored together, something to think about...
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Old Dec 5, 2022 | 03:53 PM
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I use CorrosionX HD on a scrubby-pad. Then, wipe down excess with a microfiber cloth that doesn’t leave lint. Toothbrush for harder to reach areas, or a rag wrapped around a big chopstick. Using the spray can it comes in messy, so I spray it into the cap and wipe it on. Advantage for this stuff is excellent rust protection with the residue left behind.
Charlie
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Old Dec 5, 2022 | 07:33 PM
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Use a bucket with degreaser/soap and brushes and rags. Throw out the dirty rags so you can sleep at night.
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Old Dec 6, 2022 | 07:46 AM
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They make a Pressure Washer Undercarriage Cleaner for an Under Car Wash. I know Amazon has them.

Works sort of like those Oscillating Sprinkler you use for your lawn.
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Old Dec 6, 2022 | 12:32 PM
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I use gallons of Simple green in a squirt bottle ad soak the underside and then wipe it off with rags. Either wash and reuse the rags at a later point or toss them. I try to reuse them if they arent completely oil soaked. where Eye protection. I start at one end above my head and just keep working towards my feet so I dont get covered in it as it drips if I missed anything. Usually I do a few laps under there as some thigs will loosen but not come completely off
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Old Dec 6, 2022 | 08:13 PM
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If you are just looking to clean grease and dirt and not repaint, wd40 is a great cleaner. If you use wd40 and want to paint after, you will need to use grease and silicon remover to prepare the surface.
Ed
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Old Dec 6, 2022 | 09:32 PM
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O'Reillys brake ckeaner works well at that and its very affordable. They usually have it on sale around here
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Old Dec 7, 2022 | 06:59 AM
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Great advice everyone! Thanks for all the tips! I anticipate ruining some clothes this winter
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Old Dec 7, 2022 | 09:32 AM
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The best cleaner de greaser is super clean comes in a purple or blue bottle spray on and wipe off or hose off with a good spray nozzle .
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Old Dec 7, 2022 | 09:34 AM
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Default water garage

Originally Posted by TimKeon
Yeah thats a good point. It's up on quickjacks for the winter and using a hose in the garage is obviously not going to work out very well.
Just spray super clean on thick and let soak then spray off with hose in the garage then clean up .
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