The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop How do you Clean and Paint Grease and Oil caked parts

41 Chevy 1/2 Ton - What is the best way to clean parts that have had 60 years of gunk so they can be painted. I have scraped the big stuff off but the metal is soaked so what is the best way to clean it so the paint will hold?

Wayne

I use Spray Nine concentrate in my parts washer and soak everything for at least a day or so depending on the thickness. After its all scrubbed clean I let it dry and use brake cleaner to hose the small parts down. The large parts I wipe down with paint thinners. Use good ventilation for either. I am fairly new at this but it was recommended to me by a person more up on this. So far my parts have been turning out pretty good. I have been using the refinishers cash paint by Plasticote would good success on my cast parts.

Mark

It is a process. Big stuff first. Solvent and brush. Use a safe solvent please, no gasoline. Hot soap and water. Degreasers work good. I use one that is OK with the paint I plan on using. Lots and lots of fresh air, let's keep breathing. And last if needed for tough corners and overlapped places, MEK. I know it is hazardous, flammable, and not green approved. But this is the stuff for those little places that seem to weep and drool and [censored] you off. Good luck and remember, if it ain't prepped, you get to do it over.

i scrape off all that i can then spray the parts with easy off oven cleaner. [let it set for a few hrs] then spray it off with a water hose. you may have to do it a few times . then wipe it down and paint it

I have a nylon brush in my parts washer that I use to scrub parts. I always scrape as much as I can before I put the part into the parts washer. I also have some brushes that have brass bristles and some that have wire bristles. It all depends on what the part is made of. You don't want to damage the part under the grease while cleaning it up. I use stoddard solvent in my parts washer.

When I want to scrape off grease, I add flour or baking soda. It helps the grease cake up and drop off in clumps when I scrub with a brush instead of just smearing it around. I do this before adding any solvents or cleaners. Steel wool will capture a lot of the grease too. I have found that I can get most of the grease off with baking soda or flour and thus reduce the amount of solvent needed to remove what's left.

Baking soda and flour? Does it smell like biscuits? I will try it next time. I know what you mean about the smearing around business.
Carl

Thank you everyone for all of your help it is very much appreciated.
Now - Any suggestions for a good rattle can primer and paint. I am painting the Engine Pan, Transmission and the Transmission Cross member.
Any thoughts on Power Coating the Pan and Cross member?

Wayne