Stripping paint from the engine on the cheap?

[hex7f7f7f]

So I picked up a 66 c10 recently and the engine (and other misc. parts) are sprayed a neon-y red color. I know it's scrape-able because I got it away from the seams when I pulled the water pump today, but when I was trying to clean away at the casting numbers it looks like there's a coat of white underneath and maybe even another coat under that.

I searched the forums and read recommendations from acetone, to oven-cleaner, to bead blasting. My limited budget should be going to repairs, but the paint is annoying the hell out of me whenever I lift the hood so I want to get it off without emptying my bank account.

I know oven-cleaner can be nasty stuff, but what about the acetone? Any considerations around the hoses and wires? Any suggestions for the best way to tackle it would be appreciated.

[BMERDOC]

Use a good engine cleaner and scrub all the dirty stuff. Oven cleaner is the cheapest and works really well for the biggest stuff. Pull off the rubber stuff and do a section at a time to keep that stuff under control.

[hex7f7f7f]

Originally Posted by BMERDOC

Use a good engine cleaner and scrub all the dirty stuff. Oven cleaner is the cheapest and works really well for the biggest stuff. Pull off the rubber stuff and do a section at a time to keep that stuff under control.

OK, guess I'm just gonna let my newbie flag fly and ask more questions since I've never done anything like this before... Is it going to hurt anything if I take a wire brush to it after the cleaner has started working? And should I plug up the holes after I pull the rubber?

[BMERDOC]

Yeah, agitate it where ever it needs it and protect anything that needs protecting. I've used it several times with success. It works good but its nasty. Do it in a workable spot and don't spray the entire engine. Try a nice hand sized spot so you know how its gonna act then go from there.

[hex7f7f7f]

Cool, thanks. I'll start on it tomorrow since I've got to wait for my new water pump anyway.

[BMERDOC]

Its awesome as a gasket remover too!!

[hex7f7f7f]

Originally Posted by BMERDOC

Its awesome as a gasket remover too!!

Funny 'bout that... When i pulled the pump there was no gasket. One less thing to clean up.
Posted via Mobile Device

[bama63]

x3 on the oven cleaner i use the dollar general brand its way cheaper and imo works better than the name brand stuff

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by bama63

x3 on the oven cleaner i use the dollar general brand its way cheaper and imo works better than the name brand stuff

This has been proven to be true. The cheap stuff from Dollar Store works great. Just use it in a well ventilated area, and don't let it get on your hootus

[losthope]

what they said ^^^^ the past two used engines i have had i went to the local $1 store and purchased a couple cans of oven cleaner...pretty much grease/paint remover in a can

[61_FL_Apache]

Are you doing this with the engine in the truck?

[Street Sweeper]

Never used the oven cleaner - I like the sound of the price, though. Last one I did I used "Tal-Strip". Bought it at the local parts store. Hardly even had to scrape the multiple layers of paint - it just blisters up and scrapes off. Like the oven cleaner - you gotta be careful what you get it on - it'll light you up . . .

[hex7f7f7f]

Sounds like oven cleaner is the popular vote so I'm gonna go with that.
Thanks for the advice everyone.

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

and don't let it get on your hootus

I was planning on eye and hand protection, but maybe I should look into a leather apron as well. Or I should avoid working on the truck while naked

Originally Posted by 61_FL_Apache

Are you doing this with the engine in the truck?

Initially the idea was to do it with the engine in the truck, yeah. But at some point late last night/early this morning I decided it would probably be smarter if I waited until I pulled the engine before I try to attack it with oven cleaner. I'm not sure why I originally thought I could do it with the engine still in.