Tom73

I was just looking at my bottle of Simple Green and it states to not use it on plastic dash parts.

So was wondering, since so much of the C5 underhood components are plastic, should we avoid Simple Green for underhood cleaning?

tom...

~Josh

It will also leave spotting on aluminum. It will destroy the shine on polished metal.

As fas as I'm concerned, that stuff is more trouble than it's worth. I don't know why people still buy that crap. Just one of those faulty products that hang around, kinda like modern liberals.

Vetteman Jack

There are a lot of people that use Simple Green for cleaning their underhood area and do not report any adverse effects. I think a key is to not leave it on the surface for an extremely long period of time - and rinse it off thoroughly. I use it sparingly, usually on a rag, to wipe down some greasy areas every now and then.

paullywalnuts

Mr.Bill

I used it on my motor and deluted it with water and this was a year ago and I am still trying to the alt and such to look as it did before.
I will never simple green my motor again.
Water and soap is all I use now.

thechosenone

Blahahahha. nice one!

hotwheels57

Finally, someone who's actually read the directions. I've been preaching the caveats of SIMPLE GREEN on aluminum for years. It has its purpose, but no longer on my cars.

I also have experienced stained polished billet and rough cast aluminum from using SIMPLE GREEN. The surfaces turned black and could not be restored due to it seeping into the surface pores. And I was using it diluted with water. I can't imagine using it on plastic, vinyl and other sensitive areas that I read about on car sites.

Now, I use only water diluted WINDEX to clean "dirty" accessible engine compartment areas. Then 303 PROTECTANT to maintain it after.

Tom73

Diluted WINDEX.....Hummmmm Never hear of that before for the underhood area.

TUF-NUF

Didn't you see "my big, fat, Greek wedding???? Windex is the last word in fixing everything...

hotwheels57

WINDEX is composed of detergents, solvents, ammonia-D, fragrance and dye. It'll get bug guts off windshields and chrome and it doesn't harm paint. I use it diluted about 50-50 for glass and cleaning purposes.

Even full strength it probably wouldn't harm aluminum as did SIMPLE GREEN, but I don't intend to experience the damage again. A $250 set of polished billet valve covers and a $150 cast aluminum intake manifold with permanent stains.

http://www.windex.com/faq/

jrprich

I use SG but I dilute it as per label instructions and I don't leave it on long. But the SG company does have a new product that is aluminum safe.
http://industrial.simplegreen.com/in...ts_extreme.php

hattitude

I just got some. haven't used it on the vette, but will be using it on the engines on my other cars in the near future.

Tom73

Does it have the statement to not use it on plastic dash parts?

hattitude

"Extreme Simple Green®, Simple Green’s new aircraft and precision cleaning product, cuts through tough, built up grease, oil, dirt, pollution, insect residue and impact soils. We’ve found no other aircraft-approved product on the market that matches Extreme Simple Green’s cleaning performance. Yet, it causes no harm to aircraft structural metals, plastics, paints, or coatings."

Quote is from Simple Green website.......

thechosenone

I think I might have to check this out now.

Jistari

After all the reading about SG, spraying water all over, using a pressure washer . . .etc. Ive just settled on Windex a rag and a paintbrush (for hard to reach areas), followed by a very light spray of water around the sides and the front air box, followed by Aerspace 303.

Came out ok

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( yes, I know, the post is about simple green, but we have a picture addiction here, cant post without em )

tgucc

It needs to be diluted.
If using on greasy areas 50-50 mix.
Everywhere else I use 10 parts water to 1 part SG. When you're done wipe clean with a wet rag. I even use it on leather seats. But again you need to wipe the seats down with water as a last step.

Chevy-SS

LOL, I just used Simple Green to help clean my engine yesterday, then I read this thread today. Ouchie....

But I only used the SG in a few little spots, and hosed off immediately.

No more SG for engine cleaning.

-

racerseks

Going back a few years here, ha ha. I've been using Dawn and a collection of brushes. Works great, but lots of scrubbing. Nice to know there's no need for heavy solvents, and having messed up some nice valve covers once, I too am weary...

calguy

I use SG three times a year to clean my top, and it always comes out looking like a new top.
I make sure I rinse the top, and body of the car completely.
I have had no adverse effects on the top, or body when I use it.
It's a great cleaner.


Bob.