Cleaning engine and engine bay - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

AirSpeed · 08-11-2012, 07:41 PM

I painted my truck two years ago but didn't paint under the hood. I have some chrome on the engine but it looks like crap with the brown firewall and grime all over. My engine is fairly clean now, it doesn't leak all over so I want to clean it all up and spray some black on the firwall. What is good to use that won't keep paint from sticking? I've tried different types of engine cleaners but they all seem to leave a film that keeps the paint from sticking. I recently used some Super Clean on another project but that stuff actually removes paint, it works great on oil but i would hate to get any on my paint by accident. I'm not looking for show quality under the hood, I just want to clean it up. Thanks for any suggestions!
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bobs409 · 08-12-2012, 06:40 AM

I would wipe the parts your painting with a paper towel soaked with carb cleaner or brake cleaner. That will remove any oily residue.

By spraying on the paper towel first, you won't harm anything else nearby.

rsavage · 08-12-2012, 08:25 AM

I use mineral spirits.

So.Cal.Super · 08-12-2012, 09:47 AM

I always use simple green, its decent on grease but not harsh on rubber. I will follow up with acetone and finish with alcohol, or you can lacquer thinner then alcohol. you also may want to run some 320 or 400 grit over the existing paint to give the new paint a better bite, do this before you final wipe.

obijuan · 08-12-2012, 09:54 AM

a hot pressure washer.

airbrushguy · 08-12-2012, 10:06 AM

Ok, maybe environmentally incorrect, but I have built and cleaned cars for 50 years and my list of engine cleaning liquids include gunk foamy and regular to start out with, westley's bleach white for tougher spots, then on spots where there there is caked-on grease etc...use starter fluid. It's great because you can spray it into areas you can't reach easily and it dries quickly and oil-free.
Please don't follow this up with all sorts of warnings and precautions, as I said I've used this on hundreds of cars from oldies to modern computer cars like my Z06. A great way to block areas without getting into too much masking is aluminum foil. Good luck.

Ps:don' let any of the liquid products dry before hosing or pressure washing them off. Starter fluid will take care of itself. And keep the spray off painted areas, it will take your wax off.
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08-11-2012, 07:41 PM	#1
AirSpeed Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Fall River California Posts: 2,026	Cleaning engine and engine bay I painted my truck two years ago but didn't paint under the hood. I have some chrome on the engine but it looks like crap with the brown firewall and grime all over. My engine is fairly clean now, it doesn't leak all over so I want to clean it all up and spray some black on the firwall. What is good to use that won't keep paint from sticking? I've tried different types of engine cleaners but they all seem to leave a film that keeps the paint from sticking. I recently used some Super Clean on another project but that stuff actually removes paint, it works great on oil but i would hate to get any on my paint by accident. I'm not looking for show quality under the hood, I just want to clean it up. Thanks for any suggestions! Posted via Mobile Device __________________ http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v655/aaronhero/

08-12-2012, 06:40 AM	#2
bobs409 1969 Custom 30 wrecker Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Pottsville, Pa Posts: 2,611	Re: Cleaning engine and engine bay I would wipe the parts your painting with a paper towel soaked with carb cleaner or brake cleaner. That will remove any oily residue. By spraying on the paper towel first, you won't harm anything else nearby. __________________ Bob 63 Impala 283/PG/3.36 (under restoration) 66 Impala 327/PG/3.36 66 Chevelle SS 409/M22/3.55 69 Chevelle 307/PG/3.08 (future restoration) 69 C10 short stepside 454/TH350/3.73 69 Custom 30 tow truck 350/4 spd/4.10 (resto done, CRUISIN TIME!) 71 Cheyenne 20 fleetside 350/4 spd/4.10 71 Chevelle 6/PG/3.08 72 Chevelle 454/M21/4.10

08-12-2012, 08:25 AM	#3
rsavage Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Alden NY Posts: 2,705	Re: Cleaning engine and engine bay I use mineral spirits. __________________ 1961 C1 Corvette 1959 El Camino 350 TPI, 9" 4 w disc 69 Blazer K5 - sold July '20 2021 Durango RT 5.7

08-12-2012, 09:47 AM	#4
So.Cal.Super It'll Buff Out! Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: San Diego Posts: 603	Re: Cleaning engine and engine bay I always use simple green, its decent on grease but not harsh on rubber. I will follow up with acetone and finish with alcohol, or you can lacquer thinner then alcohol. you also may want to run some 320 or 400 grit over the existing paint to give the new paint a better bite, do this before you final wipe. __________________ "Instructions are just another mans opinion" Become a Supporting Member http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/payments.php Man Card Rules http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=634550 72 Chevy Cheyenne Super 400 LWB

08-12-2012, 09:54 AM	#5
obijuan Registered User Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: cibolo tx Posts: 1,033	Re: Cleaning engine and engine bay a hot pressure washer.

08-12-2012, 10:06 AM	#6
airbrushguy Registered User Join Date: May 2010 Location: hawthorne, nj Posts: 217	Re: Cleaning engine and engine bay Ok, maybe environmentally incorrect, but I have built and cleaned cars for 50 years and my list of engine cleaning liquids include gunk foamy and regular to start out with, westley's bleach white for tougher spots, then on spots where there there is caked-on grease etc...use starter fluid. It's great because you can spray it into areas you can't reach easily and it dries quickly and oil-free. Please don't follow this up with all sorts of warnings and precautions, as I said I've used this on hundreds of cars from oldies to modern computer cars like my Z06. A great way to block areas without getting into too much masking is aluminum foil. Good luck. Ps:don' let any of the liquid products dry before hosing or pressure washing them off. Starter fluid will take care of itself. And keep the spray off painted areas, it will take your wax off. Posted via Mobile Device



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