Topic: Degreasers

[rrenz]

Curious what kinds of degreasers some people have had good luck with. Im looking to clean up the underside of my car a little. I have a nice film of dirt oil and transmission fluid that has preserved the original red oxide finish to the undercarriage. Id like to de grease but would like to use a product that won't cause a ton of damage to the primer and any other paint or markings that may still be underneath all the crud on my 66 coupe.

[midlife]

I've used gasoline and a rag in a well-ventilated area to remove grease, grime, and dealer-applied undercoating.  Just dip the rag in the gas and start rubbing.  It doesn't affect paint so long as you do not have the painted part immersed in the gas for extended periods of time.  I don't know how gas will affect markings, however. 

There are wax/grease removing solvents for prepping sheet metal just prior to painting, but don't know how well they work for built-up grime.  I have used it on exterior paint when I found road tar.  It removed it quite easily. 

[Brian Conway]

Ditto the gasoline degrease.  I use  kitchen heavy duty scrub sponges.  You know green scruber one side and yellow sponge on the other. Ventilated area and no smoking. Works great.  Brian

[Bob Gaines]

I use kerosene or diesel fuel . The same cautions as gasoline apply.

[mtinkham]

+1 on all comments with the added precaution of wearing protective gloves and glasses.

[Laurie S.]

I cleaned a very dirty, greasy 68 fastback underside with gasoline.  Took about two weeks it was so dirty, but it came out immaculate.  Be sure to keep a fire extinguisher nearby, just in case.

[midlife]

I use kerosene or diesel fuel . The same cautions as gasoline apply.

Diesel fuel is more expensive than gas, and I don't know where I can find a few gallons of kerosene; I suspect it is also more expensive than the local corner station.

[tobkob]

Diesel fuel is more expensive than gas, and I don't know where I can find a few gallons of kerosene; I suspect it is also more expensive than the local corner station.

Kerosene is around $5.00 per gallon in N. GA while gas is around $1.75. The K1 kerosene sold today is different than was used back when. It doesn't clean nearly as well as it used to. Back several years ago when we would bust a knuckle or cut our hand working on cars the 1st thing we would do was to plunge our hand in kerosene. The cut would heal in no time flat.
TOB

[J_Speegle]

I've used gasoline and a rag in a well-ventilated area to remove grease, grime, and dealer-applied undercoating............

Remember on a fire call one time I went on. Guy was cleaning parts using gasoline and it was getting dark so he went inside and set the pan on top of the kitchen stove and turned on the light over the stove so he could see what he was doing. He had opened up the kitchen windows for ventilation but wasn't enough. When it went off the windows were in the tree in the front yard and he was in the garage  but didn't have time to open up the door  as he went through the wall. Lucky guy there was a refrigerator on that wall   

Never used the stuff for degreasing though I've done my fair share of risky behaviours

For cleaning out wonderful floor pans out here of it takes more than a little hot water, a soft rag (don't want to scratch the original paint up)  and some detergent then wax and grease remover with the car out side has worked for me. Then pass over it with some  light buffing compound to lightly remove any oxidized layer on the factory paint- primer/sealer

[rrenz]

Well i tried a handful of cleaners. Mostly gunk and some POR marine clean.may try the gasoline on the rear end and for some final detailing. however had Fairly good results. Just trying to clean it up a little yet still be able to drive it without fear of dirt.

[KevinK]

Rather than spending days or weeks with some degreaser, I took my car down to the local engine steam cleaner. It took about an hour and removed 95-98% of the dirt and grease. Some areas were surprising and others not do much. The rear end was pretty much bare and the floors showed red primer with drips. I have not gotten under it to look closely but got a few pictures. San Jose 67 late production.

I did notice the runs in the red primer over top the body color? As if the transmission tunnel was painter later.

The steam pretty much wrinkled the rattle can paint job if the engine compartment.

[J_Speegle]

Thanks  for sharing

Rather than spending days or weeks with some degreaser, I took my car down to the local engine steam cleaner. It took about an hour and removed 95-98% of the dirt and grease. Some areas were surprising and others not do much. The rear end was pretty much bare and the floors showed red primer with drips. I have not gotten under it to look closely but got a few pictures. San Jose 67 late production.

I did notice the runs in the red primer over top the body color? ..............

Looks like what I've seen when the overspray has been cleaned or wiped off of the top surface of the runs (raised surfaces)

Looks very solid .