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VWporscheGT3
Samba Member
Joined: September 01, 2006
Posts: 2076
Location: Gardnerville, NV
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 Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2014 4:12 pm Post subject: Case Cleaning Chemicals |
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So I was thinking about it today, and I thought it would be a good idea to have a database of what works good to clean a case... and things to watch for with different chemicals, some will eat aluminum, some eat magnesium... so I want to know whats ok to use on our cases.
personally In my parts washer right now Im running Purple power... I'm a huge fan of the stuff, but have yet to use it on my magnesium cases, I know you have to be careful with it when cleaning aluminum...
what do you guys use?
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Dale M.
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Joined: April 12, 2006
Posts: 20378
Location: Just a tiny bit west of Yosemite Valley
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| Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2014 7:26 pm Post subject: |
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Gunk Engine Bright followed by Simple Green + presssure washer....
Dale
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craigman
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Joined: March 28, 2004
Posts: 2397
Location: redding
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| Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2014 10:08 pm Post subject: |
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Purple power
gas
scrub brush
simple green
warm soapy water after any of those.
Cleaning cases just plain sucks... Nothing fun about it.. |
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56vwoval
Samba Member
Joined: March 21, 2010
Posts: 186
Location: nowhere USA
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| Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2014 6:09 am Post subject: case cleaners |
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Oven cleaner and car wash!
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Glenn 
Mr. 010
Joined: December 25, 2001
Posts: 76902
Location: Sneaking up behind you
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| Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2014 6:19 am Post subject: |
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Take it to a transmission or machine shop and have it put in their heated pressure washer.
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esde
Samba Member
Joined: October 20, 2007
Posts: 5966
Location: central rust belt
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| Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2014 6:51 am Post subject: |
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| Power washer will do 99% of what you can see. Then you need elbow grease for the hidden corners and bores. I power wash, followed by a few cycles or soaking in degreaser (purple power, simple green, dish detergent, whatever is on hand) and bore brushes. Glenns suggestion of the tank cleaning is the way to go if the case is filthy, but the last time I had it done it was kind of $$. A large trash can or rubbermaid bin works well for soaking, the kitchen sink just made my wife mad |
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PumaVW79
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Joined: January 31, 2012
Posts: 487
Location: WGS84: 22.9083° S, 43.1964° W
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| Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2014 11:48 am Post subject: |
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| esde wrote: |
| Power washer will do 99% of what you can see. Then you need elbow grease for the hidden corners and bores. I power wash, followed by a few cycles or soaking in degreaser (purple power, simple green, dish detergent, whatever is on hand) and bore brushes. Glenns suggestion of the tank cleaning is the way to go if the case is filthy, but the last time I had it done it was kind of $$. |
Ditto.
When I did my (only) rebuilt I drove the car to a near city (I live in an apartment and even cleaning a carburetor is a complicated task).
So, was in a relative rush and didn't have the time to find a car washer.
The house where I did the service has a big and well ventilated working area, then I wet the case and paraphernalia with diesel. I used charcoal respirator, goggles, heavy nitrilic gloves, rubber boots etc. for protection, and had to deal with the used diesel in proper containers - that was not fun - but worked well.
After, I brushed with pure dish detergent followed by abundant water. I think it is great, because that could be discharged into the sewage system.
Even knowing that I haven't had to worry about toxicity, the gloves shown its value, because by nature, this work is somewhat dangerous:
| esde wrote: |
| the kitchen sink just made my wife mad |
I found a discarded kitchen sink that solved this problem.
The discarded door also helped a lot:
CONCLUSION:
I think the result was acceptable. Could be better if I had spent more in elbow grease. 
Next time I will try to the maximum extent, avoid the use of toxic cleaners - like diesel - and stick with dish detergents.
And will buy lots of pairs of heavy gloves. It's highly recommended.
Edit: And most important: Will search for a good engine washing service before the removal!
Last edited by PumaVW79 on Tue Jul 08, 2014 11:59 am; edited 1 time in total |
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VWporscheGT3
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Joined: September 01, 2006
Posts: 2076
Location: Gardnerville, NV
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| Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2014 11:57 am Post subject: |
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| Glenn wrote: |
| Take it to a transmission or machine shop and have it put in their heated pressure washer. |
I actually have one of these, It just needs to be wired up and cleaned up. I knew someone who used dish wash detergent in these and it worked great.
PumaVW79 , Excellent post . very useful especially to those living in places without access to a garage.
ESDE- bore brushes are mandatory!!!! lol good advice
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I like being wrong, Because, it is another opportunity to learn. If you stop learning from your mistakes than what is the point?
If you have any questions about Forged ICON 4032 VW pistons just shoot me a line. |
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t7d5
Samba Member
Joined: May 17, 2010
Posts: 76
Location: Pensacola, Fl. 32514
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| Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2014 12:08 pm Post subject: case cleaning agents |
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| Aircraft paint stripper, followed by engine degreaser then water, make sure it's in a well ventillated area, |
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vince1
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Joined: December 14, 2003
Posts: 823
Location: Burgundy, France
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catbox
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Joined: May 16, 2007
Posts: 865
Location: Portland, Oregon
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| Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2014 1:10 pm Post subject: |
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I used Castrol Super Clean.
I simply followed the time precaution on the bottle and it worked like a champ.
From this nasty sludge covered engine...
Too a pretty dang clean engine...
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jfats808
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Joined: December 10, 2007
Posts: 5022
Location: oahu hawaii
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| Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2014 2:07 pm Post subject: |
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I use carb cleaner initially, pressure wash, simple green soaked and allowed to semi dry, pressure wash-air dry, then wipe oil with rag over the surfaces. Tuffer jobs I have busted out my putty knife and fine wire wheel on a drill. If it needs machine work, Ill just pay the 55$ bucks or whatever it is and have it put in the hot tank there.
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jpaull
Samba Member
Joined: February 22, 2005
Posts: 3460
Location: Paradise, Ca
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| Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2014 3:06 pm Post subject: Cleaner |
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This is one of the strongest cleaners for AFTER the main grease and grime has been removed. This is about the worst thing you can get in your eyes so wear eye protection. It will make the magnesium case a uniform color, as this is a acid based formula. Spray on, wait for it to foam up, then brush carefully and rinse. Wear gloves cause it will sting your skin! The results are awesome though!
Eagle one "Etching" Mag wheel cleaner for uncoated wheels.
https://www.eagleone.com/etching-mag-wheel-cleaner
Jeff |
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PumaVW79
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Joined: January 31, 2012
Posts: 487
Location: WGS84: 22.9083° S, 43.1964° W
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| Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2014 7:28 am Post subject: |
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| vince1 wrote: |
dish washer, no kidding  |
Sort of… 
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Vanapplebomb
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Joined: November 03, 2010
Posts: 5409
Location: Holland, MI
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SBD
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Joined: October 24, 2012
Posts: 3269
Location: SOUTH DAKOTA
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| Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2014 5:59 pm Post subject: |
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| Vanapplebomb wrote: |
Hu, Interesting. I always wondered what were to happen if I just put the parts in the dishwasher.
How well does it work? |
I've never done it to a case but I've cleaned engine tins that way. It works really well. Just don't tell your landlord (or wife).  When we built our new house with a built-in dishwasher I saved our old portable dishwasher and had hot & cold water and a drain plumbed into the garage specifically so I could use it for cleaning car parts. Used dishwashers seem to have no value and can be picked up cheap at yard sales. I've seen them as low as $15 and no takers. The only real difference between the portable units and the built-in models is the hose and the case around them. 
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Vanapplebomb
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Joined: November 03, 2010
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Location: Holland, MI
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SBD
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Joined: October 24, 2012
Posts: 3269
Location: SOUTH DAKOTA
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| Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2014 11:44 pm Post subject: |
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| Vanapplebomb wrote: |
| Do you just use regular powdered dishwasher detergent? |
Haven't done it in a while but I think I was using something like Wal Mart Gel Dishwasher detergent. I think the formulation of dishwasher detergents has been changed recently due to some environmental concerns over something they had in them. You might have to experiment to find what works best. I do seem to remember using more than the amount recommended for dishes though. I'd fill the dispenser and then squirt some extra into the machine for good measure.
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"Just $99 down and $64 a month for 36 months buys you a brand new Volkswagen Beetle!"
| mark tucker wrote: |
| I wouldent waste $ or thyme on building a small motor. build it big so it dosent have to work hard.remember it's only as fast as your foot alows it to be unless you build a small turd then it just stinks as it squishes up through your toes when you step on it. |
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MoPor
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Joined: December 03, 2010
Posts: 292
Location: Canada
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| Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2014 7:26 pm Post subject: |
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scrape thick stuff off
high pressure truck wash
bag of soda and a cheap siphon blaster
wash and blow dry
or just take it to an engine shop
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Mr.Duncan
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Joined: May 12, 2012
Posts: 3542
Location: Houston, TX
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| Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2014 9:01 am Post subject: |
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My local carwash uses simple green as a degreaser
and then just a wash....
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