Easiest way to clean frame? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

KrazyKevin · 10-27-2009, 04:02 AM

Back to work on the 72' and I'm trying to clean up the frame while I don't have a bed on it. This is not a frame off resto. But I want to throw some rustoleum roll on paint on the frame, as much as I can get to that is. Anyhow, what's the first step you guys take in getting the layer of built up dirt/roadscum off the frame? I've been just taking a paint scraper and wire brush to most of it. Using a flapper wheel for the easy to get to spots. I didn't know if there was any liquid type solution you guys used to spary on the frame first to get a head start. There is really not a lot of rust, mainly dirt. Any tips is more than welcome.

Thanks

Kevin

cdowns · 10-27-2009, 05:52 AM

i use a putty knife to scrape off the bigger accumulations then a few cans of easyoff oven cleaner and a good powerwashing

Longhorn Man · 10-27-2009, 05:55 AM

don't use easy off, get the real cheap nasty oven cleaner... it works better

my67c20 · 10-27-2009, 08:51 AM

Powerhouse oven cleaner from the dollar store, 1 hour of patience, pressure washer, foam brushes, eastwood chassis black and rust convertor. Result is fabulous. I hit the frame with some sandpaper wiped it down with some mineral spirits applied the coating as prescribed. Forget the scraping and wire wheel time.

c10addict · 10-27-2009, 09:12 AM

Ive always had good luck with Kerosene.. Soak the frame down in the morning then again in the afternoon... The next day the stuff comes off pretty easy... Works great on undercoating too..

dan42 · 10-27-2009, 10:07 AM

I have to do the same thing , but I was wondering if there's a little bit tidier way to do this - as soon as you put solvent on something, you have a big gooey mess, and my wife is not fond of those in the garage. Is it possible to scrape it, or at least keep it in a more clean-upable form?

UltraBlue71 · 10-27-2009, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dan42

I have to do the same thing , but I was wondering if there's a little bit tidier way to do this - as soon as you put solvent on something, you have a big gooey mess, and my wife is not fond of those in the garage. Is it possible to scrape it, or at least keep it in a more clean-upable form?

Maybe a big tarp underneath? might catch the brunt of it? Its Kinda like the kerosene, but diesel fuel works good too, gotta agree with the oven cleaner recommendation works like a champ, and so much cheaper than Foamy Engine Brite!

red71c10 · 10-27-2009, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

don't use easy off, get the real cheap nasty oven cleaner... it works better

X2 - Easy Off isn't really that good. Mr. Muscle used to be my favorite for jobs like this. It was probably too strong because I think they took it off the market.

Ackattack · 10-27-2009, 10:24 AM

or you can get a sandblasting attachment for a power washer

my67c20 · 10-27-2009, 10:29 AM

Use the trick they do in the wood shop. Put on the solvent or stripper let it sit then rub it down with sawdust, or use cat litter (cheap stuff) for some abrasive action. then wash it down and repeat.

Or the other option is to send the wife to Vegas for the weekend.

**special-K** · 10-27-2009, 11:29 AM

Lay plastic down,then plywood if you can.i have old plywood for throwing under vehicles,etc.It`s so easy to clean up and the plywood can take whatever you give it.

**leddzepp** · 10-27-2009, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by special-K

Lay plastic down,then plywood if you can.i have old plywood for throwing under vehicles,etc.It`s so easy to clean up and the plywood can take whatever you give it.

x 2 on this. I had to do a lot of clean-up in the garage on my frame and this keeps the floor clean and the wife happy.

KrazyKevin · 10-27-2009, 01:25 PM

Awesome advice. But my only issue is that right now the truck don't run and I can't really get it out of the drive. So no powerwashing. Any alternative to powerwashing that I can do?

Headed to the store to get over cleaner now!!!!

Thanks

BOOB · 10-27-2009, 01:30 PM

Be careful with the oven cleaner. It eats of EVERYTHING. It will take you frame down to bare metal in some spots. Thats all I use. Wear a respirator if you have one, it will jack up your throat.

71tahoe · 10-27-2009, 01:41 PM

After you power wash the frame, power wash the drive, unless it's not paved.

I knocked a lot of crud off mine with straight water while it was still a rolling chassis. Rolled it back in the shop and started in on the drive. After I was done I needed a good rinse too.

Next step now that it's down to just bare frame will be a degreaser (I like the oven cleaner suggestion) and another power wash.

KrazyKevin · 10-27-2009, 01:58 PM

I'm an idiot. I meant I can't get it out of the garage!! Sorry!

71tahoe · 10-27-2009, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KrazyKevin

I'm an idiot. I meant I can't get it out of the garage!! Sorry!

Yeah...ummmm...in that case, maybe the pressure washer isn't such a good idea.

K.ronic · 10-28-2009, 12:29 AM

Doesn't oven cleaner eat up rubber hoses and such? I would be wary about using it around brake lines/ fuel lines until I could verify that it wouldn't eat through them......

cdowns · 10-28-2009, 07:50 AM

cant yoy roll the truck in an out of the garage?

Seraph · 10-28-2009, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 71tahoe

Yeah...ummmm...in that case, maybe the pressure washer isn't such a good idea.

i could just see it now....

UltraBlue71 · 10-28-2009, 12:47 PM

Load it up on a trailer and do it all at the car wash at about 2 am, leave the mess for them to clean up!

brothers69c-10 · 10-28-2009, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UltraBlue71

Load it up on a trailer and do it all at the car wash at about 2 am, leave the mess for them to clean up!

Been ther done that!

KrazyKevin · 10-28-2009, 02:28 PM

Yep, thats gonna be the plan. The back I'm getting everything with sandpaper, wirewheels, and paint stripper pads. It's not that bad. But closer to the front, oven cleaner and then push her outside.

Thanks guys

10-27-2009, 04:02 AM	#1
KrazyKevin What have I gotten into Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Liberty, TX Posts: 123	Easiest way to clean frame? Back to work on the 72' and I'm trying to clean up the frame while I don't have a bed on it. This is not a frame off resto. But I want to throw some rustoleum roll on paint on the frame, as much as I can get to that is. Anyhow, what's the first step you guys take in getting the layer of built up dirt/roadscum off the frame? I've been just taking a paint scraper and wire brush to most of it. Using a flapper wheel for the easy to get to spots. I didn't know if there was any liquid type solution you guys used to spary on the frame first to get a head start. There is really not a lot of rust, mainly dirt. Any tips is more than welcome. Thanks Kevin __________________ 1972 Chevy SWB Fleetside Project BumbleBee

10-27-2009, 05:52 AM	#2
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: Easiest way to clean frame? i use a putty knife to scrape off the bigger accumulations then a few cans of easyoff oven cleaner and a good powerwashing __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

10-27-2009, 05:55 AM	#3
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: Easiest way to clean frame? don't use easy off, get the real cheap nasty oven cleaner... it works better

10-27-2009, 08:51 AM	#4
my67c20 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Tucson AZ by way of WI & CA Posts: 509	Re: Easiest way to clean frame? Powerhouse oven cleaner from the dollar store, 1 hour of patience, pressure washer, foam brushes, eastwood chassis black and rust convertor. Result is fabulous. I hit the frame with some sandpaper wiped it down with some mineral spirits applied the coating as prescribed. Forget the scraping and wire wheel time.

10-27-2009, 09:12 AM	#5
c10addict Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: pittsburgh pa Posts: 1,970	Re: Easiest way to clean frame? Ive always had good luck with Kerosene.. Soak the frame down in the morning then again in the afternoon... The next day the stuff comes off pretty easy... Works great on undercoating too.. __________________ 68 C10 Shorty TPI,Bagged, and all the good stuff. Classic trucks feature June 06, On the cover of Jegs Christmas Catalog 08 67 C10 Shorty Shop truck project Bagged and Z'd under destruction and getting nowhere fast. 64 C10 Shop Truck/Daily driver, Bagged, Dropmember, SOLD!!!! Gone but not forgotten.. 54 GMC under the knife getting a S10 chassis swap and bagged. See my build thread... 07 GMC Sierra 5/7 drop, 22's and 24's Air ride on my mind.. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=339340 See pics of my trucks in my profile

10-27-2009, 10:07 AM	#6
dan42 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Cali Central Coast Posts: 5,191	Re: Easiest way to clean frame? I have to do the same thing , but I was wondering if there's a little bit tidier way to do this - as soon as you put solvent on something, you have a big gooey mess, and my wife is not fond of those in the garage. Is it possible to scrape it, or at least keep it in a more clean-upable form? __________________ '67 SWB Fleetside ZZ4/350/Tremec 5-speed/4link/Scott's IFS - and fun as heck! SOLD Click here to support the board Philippians 4: 6-7

10-27-2009, 10:24 AM	#9
Ackattack Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Valley Center KS Posts: 3,525	Re: Easiest way to clean frame? or you can get a sandblasting attachment for a power washer __________________ Project Bruiser: 68 Pro-Touring C-10 5.3L / 4L60E Project Ironhide: 97 GMC Crew Cab 4x4 Cummins SOLD: '69 GMC 1/2T SWB TBI'd: Project No Buck Assembly Manual Index Sign up Thread!!! Factory Service Manual Index

10-27-2009, 10:29 AM	#10
my67c20 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Tucson AZ by way of WI & CA Posts: 509	Re: Easiest way to clean frame? Use the trick they do in the wood shop. Put on the solvent or stripper let it sit then rub it down with sawdust, or use cat litter (cheap stuff) for some abrasive action. then wash it down and repeat. Or the other option is to send the wife to Vegas for the weekend.

10-27-2009, 11:29 AM	#11
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,858	Re: Easiest way to clean frame? Lay plastic down,then plywood if you can.i have old plywood for throwing under vehicles,etc.It`s so easy to clean up and the plywood can take whatever you give it. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

10-27-2009, 01:25 PM	#13
KrazyKevin What have I gotten into Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Liberty, TX Posts: 123	Re: Easiest way to clean frame? Awesome advice. But my only issue is that right now the truck don't run and I can't really get it out of the drive. So no powerwashing. Any alternative to powerwashing that I can do? Headed to the store to get over cleaner now!!!! Thanks __________________ 1972 Chevy SWB Fleetside Project BumbleBee

10-27-2009, 01:30 PM	#14
BOOB Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Taylor, TX Posts: 95	Re: Easiest way to clean frame? Be careful with the oven cleaner. It eats of EVERYTHING. It will take you frame down to bare metal in some spots. Thats all I use. Wear a respirator if you have one, it will jack up your throat. __________________ 1970 Short/Fleet C-10 (Project) -Slammed and Tubbed 1955 Cameo -Straight six, Turbo Hydro option 1955 BelAir 2 door post -All original down to the oil bath air cleaner 1964 Corvette -All power A/C 327 4 spd. tanker

10-27-2009, 01:41 PM	#15
71tahoe Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: Jonesboro, AR Posts: 916	Re: Easiest way to clean frame? After you power wash the frame, power wash the drive, unless it's not paved. I knocked a lot of crud off mine with straight water while it was still a rolling chassis. Rolled it back in the shop and started in on the drive. After I was done I needed a good rinse too. Next step now that it's down to just bare frame will be a degreaser (I like the oven cleaner suggestion) and another power wash.

10-27-2009, 01:58 PM	#16
KrazyKevin What have I gotten into Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Liberty, TX Posts: 123	Re: Easiest way to clean frame? I'm an idiot. I meant I can't get it out of the garage!! Sorry! __________________ 1972 Chevy SWB Fleetside Project BumbleBee

10-28-2009, 12:29 AM	#18
K.ronic Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Fayetteville, Arkansas Posts: 61	Re: Easiest way to clean frame? Doesn't oven cleaner eat up rubber hoses and such? I would be wary about using it around brake lines/ fuel lines until I could verify that it wouldn't eat through them......

10-28-2009, 07:50 AM	#19
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: Easiest way to clean frame? cant yoy roll the truck in an out of the garage? __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY



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10-28-2009, 12:47 PM	#21
UltraBlue71 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: OKC OK Posts: 489	Re: Easiest way to clean frame? Load it up on a trailer and do it all at the car wash at about 2 am, leave the mess for them to clean up! __________________ "You can put lipstick on a pig, sure it's pretty pig, but it's still just a PIG... 71 LWB

10-28-2009, 02:28 PM	#23
KrazyKevin What have I gotten into Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Liberty, TX Posts: 123	Re: Easiest way to clean frame? Yep, thats gonna be the plan. The back I'm getting everything with sandpaper, wirewheels, and paint stripper pads. It's not that bad. But closer to the front, oven cleaner and then push her outside. Thanks guys __________________ 1972 Chevy SWB Fleetside Project BumbleBee

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