how do I make he engine shine?

[J_C]

Wow, yeah Bruce, remarkably like that. Here's a before:


The best results I've had were from using a descaler/degreaser, but even that couldn't get between the fins in the back and front. The sides actually look kind of ok now after cutting up my fingers dragging a scotch brite pad between them. I will certainly try using some bleach, and maybe even the flapper. I think I coiuld get it to look better than it is now, even though it is so much improved over where we started.

[renobruce]

Have you tried any baby bottle brushes? They did me well in getting between the fins.
I still swear by the Simple Green. I scrubbed for a week to get it clean, spraying, letting is soak over night, scrubbing more, etc., but is slowly all came out good.

[J_C]

Maybe I just need some more soaking action. When I get back from my business trip (end of next week) I'll take a few pics and put them up to show where we got stuck.


I've tried the baby bottle brushes that the ones I used wore out and came apart pretty quickly.

[fatkid89704]

just an idea but have you tried a high psi pressure washer with soap.i know we use them when we strip paint booths and it takes off everything right down to the metal.if it will cut through paint and overspray it should cut through dried oil.just my .02.thought it might help.

[t3rmin]

I always use spray carburetor cleaner on tough grime. Takes it off better than anything, but do NOT get it on your paint. CLR is also pretty good stuff. It'll eat up small amounts of surface rust all by itself.

[HammerHead]

just an idea but have you tried a high psi pressure washer with soap.i know we use them when we strip paint booths and it takes off everything right down to the metal.if it will cut through paint and overspray it should cut through dried oil.just my .02.thought it might help.

I think thats a great idea fatkid. My friend has one that I can try.

[J_C]

I already did the pressure wash (kind of) and it worked fairly well, but not all the way.

Hey, that's an idea on carb cleaner! I'll try that before I put the engine back in the frame

[t3rmin]

Carb cleaner is strong stuff. Much stronger than engine degreaser generally. I think half of the effect is the higher pressure at which carb cleaner generally sprays, so don't just get the area wet with carb cleaner, hose it down with a direct continuous hit from the nozzle.

My favorite "trio" of cleaners when I want to get something really clean is CLR, Simple Green, then Carb Cleaner (and maybe some WD-40 for extra measure).

[J_C]

Excellent advice, thanks!

[solo 2]

WOW! Somebody has way too much time on their hands.:-D Very Nice.

[renobruce]

WOW! Somebody has way too much time on their hands.:-D Very Nice.

If you are talking about me..... the winters here are long and cold! :-D

[themess]

I'm thinking of trying to find something like a brass test tube brush that could be chucked into the collet of a 1/8" die grinder, to clean between the fins.