Cleaning solutions

[terrylee2u]

I am just wondering just what everyone uses to clean up the oil and grunge off of a motor.. simply green... oven cleaner...??

[Nessism]

Simple Green works if the grunge is not too thick, if the engine is really gunky, get some spray engine degreaser from the autoparts store. The citrus engine degreasers smell less which is nice when you rinse it down the gutter and pis$ off the neighbors with your runoff.

[Riding Again]

Only use oven cleaner on the engine if you want the look of a bike being left out in the weather for the past 30 years. Oven cleaners will corrode aluminum.

Stick with an engine degresser or simple green. Don't expect to get away without scrubbing part of it with a brush. You can buy the simple green concentrate and make a stronger solution.

You can also pack some plastic, change and some rubber gloves and go down to a coin-op wand car wash that has the engine-cleaning or aluminum selection. That way you can also use the high-pressure wash.

The gloves are so you can support the engine etc. without spraying your hands and cutting them with the water. REGARDLESS, support the material your cleaning. The pressure will tip the pieces.

Could be a good use for that buddy that hangs around and doesn't provide much help .

[82Shafty]

I am just wondering just what everyone uses to clean up the oil and grunge off of a motor.. simply green... oven cleaner...??

I get two spray bottles, one full concentration right from the gallon jug of SG.

The next is a warm bottle of water to rinse with. An old tooth brush works well for scrubbing.

If you ever want to strip any clear on your engine covers, Permatex gasket remover works well. Followed by some 800-2000 grit wet-sanding and some aluminum polish, you will be all sorts of shiny. If you like low maintenance, remove clear and blemishes do an 800 grit sanding, clean with soap and water, then re-clear. Un-cleared parts have a greater shine, less light diffusion, but require more up keep.

[gearman]

Mineral spirits and a stiff nylon brush...mainly because I get the mineral spirits free from work.

[jwhelan65]

Try this stuff

I used this on all my bikes and car engines, works in my opinion better than Simple Green....only down side its a little pricey, but you wont be disappointed.

http://www.properautocare.com/eifaende1.html

[midnightcafe]

Simple green is good stuff, I have purple power which is stronger and questionable on aluminum. I might have to water it down if I use it to degrease the engine, instead I'll keep a close eye on it while waiting.