Cleaning Chems of Choice

[trikemike]

What are people using these days to clean greasy parts?
After a long hiatus I'm back to working on old greasy stuff again, I had always used Kerosene before because it worked well and didn't flash off too quickly. I use diluted Simple Green when I do a deep cleaning on firearms, mineral spirits for pocket knives.
When I was a printer ISO & P/M were the trick but probably not on heavily greased parts.
Some of the environmentally friendly fluids can be pricey.

Just curious what others are using.

Mike

[T. Cotten]

What are people using these days to clean greasy parts?
After a long hiatus I'm back to working on old greasy stuff again, I had always used Kerosene before because it worked well and didn't flash off too quickly. I use diluted Simple Green when I do a deep cleaning on firearms, mineral spirits for pocket knives.
When I was a printer ISO & P/M were the trick but probably not on heavily greased parts.
Some of the environmentally friendly fluids can be pricey.

Just curious what others are using.

Mike

All of the above, Mike!

Plus gallons of cheap white vinegar.

There is no one perfect 'solution' except some common sense.

....Cotten

[Peter Cooke]

I use kero for the greasy stuff and then rinse with thinners if it's bearings etc.

[exeric]

I use kerosene to clean oily, greasy caked crud from engines, and transmissions. I bought a small cement mixing tub from Harbor Freight that worked well for containing that awful mélange of crap. Further cleaning with soap, and water, brake cleaner, etc. is a breeze after getting that top skin of satan sweat off. It's always a good idea to wear safety gear, and dispose of the waste responsibly.

[T. Cotten]

A caveat on vinegar, Folks,...

If you use it on aluminum, keep a close eye on it!

....Cotten

[26fhead]

On thick heavy grease I use a 50/50 mix of Simple Green and water on hot plate in a pan. This was a tech tip in AMCA mag, but I use it outside as the fumes can get to you.
Steve

[T. Cotten]

I never had a problem with Simple Green fumes, 26fhead!

Its sure nasty right out of a spray bottle though...

Clean up is always easiest outside.

....Cotten

[trikemike]

Hotel pan, heat lamp, temp gauge and some sort of solvent in a baster…
Now that’s next level!

[T. Cotten]

Hotel pan, heat lamp, temp gauge and some sort of solvent in a baster…
Now that’s next level!

Aerokroil, Mike!

(And mussn't get potmetal too hot...)

....Cotten

[ryan]

I use this for carbs and the staining after the heavy grease comes off and is by far the best carbon remover that I have ever used, it makes copper shine like a new penny, but does need to be rinsed off after being used and overnight soaking does not hurt anything that I have used it on.

MERCURY POWER TUNE INTERNAL ENGINE CLEANER - 92-858080K03

[T. Cotten]

Like a new penny, Ryan?

When there is true metallic patinization, I am compelled to do my best to conserve it.

And vinegar's a LOT cheaper!

....Cotten
PS: Your stuff does sound perfect though, for reactivating "brillo pad" air filters.

[ryan]

Like a new penny, Ryan?

When there is true metallic patinization, I am compelled to do my best to conserve it.

And vinegar's a LOT cheaper!

....Cotten
PS: Your stuff does sound perfect though, for reactivating "brillo pad" air filters.

The Mercury outboard is a great carburetor cleaner, I think that it works better than any of diluted carburetor soak. It made my 30 year old S&S look brand new, even left the polish. I leave it on carbs over night and rinse with water the following day.
The best water soluble degreaser that I have ever used was KBS Klean which is a very concentrated industrial cleaner, it did ruin an aluminum staple gun that I left in it for a month at a mixer 5 parts water and 1 part cleaner. It also works great on any type of grime.
A really good one that is a little costly that does not need to be rinsed and is great at degreasing your bike or used like engine degreaser is wax and grease remover for paint prep.

[T. Cotten]

I guess what I meant was, Ryan,..

If it digests down to virgin metal it would certainly have good applications.

I get brutal with hardware when I have to, too,, of course.

But then I have to make it look old anyway.

....Cotten

[ryan]

I guess what I meant was, Ryan,..

If it digests down to virgin metal it would certainly have good applications.

I get brutal with hardware when I have to, too,, of course.

But then I have to make it look old anyway.

....Cotten

Cotten,
I understood what you meant, I just wanted to share that the Mercury outboard carb cleaner didn't take the polished surface of the S&S. I am sure you are great at fatina.

[T. Cotten]

I've never been 'great' at anything, Ryan!

(I'm only a fauxtina technician.)

Back to topic:
I sure miss my Gunk Hydro-Seal; Berryman's is a joke.

....Cotten