Topic: Oven cleaner on motor

[beemerbum]

Has anyone used spray on oven cleaner to clean engine cases? I've heard that it makes unpainted, non-polished aluminum cases look showroom clean. But then again, I once heard that Taylor Swift will never succeed in the music business.

[grcamna2]

I've used Easy Off oven cleaner in the yellow can back in the 70's(the stuff was probably stronger back then)especially between my cylinder fins casting.
The product certainly went to work;it removed the factory paint and kept on etching into the cast aluminum plus it left the aluminum a dark oxide color which I was able to use steel wool and polish it out.
I washed it off after about 3-5 minutes which I felt was the max time to leave it on;the can said "Do not use on aluminum".. but I was quick with the hose and got it all washed off.
Take a look at the directions on a 2024' can of it and see what they say about aluminum;if it doesn't warn against it,go ahead and test it in one spot first.

[HondaMan]

I wouldn't myself: it is an acid-based cleaner, which eats and weakens zinc but quick. The cases are zinc-aluminum alloy (and not always in the same ratios!).

[beemerbum]

Thanks for the input. I think Simple Green will do.

[Bodi]

Oven cleaners are typically sodium hydroxide based, with various stuff added to mask the noxious odor. This is lye, caustic soda, powerful alkali (opposite of acid). It turn grease into soap, this is why it works on gummed up ovens. Very reactive with aluminum, the can should have a warning not to use it on aluminum.
I would look for something else. It will etch the metal. May leach AL out of the alloy as well.
If you do try it, keep an eye on it and be ready to rinse it off fully after a few minutes as grcamna2 says. Not sure how great it is if you have to go at the metal with steel wool afterwards.
Soda or CO2 blasting is the best engine case cleaning process I've found.

[jgger]

Dawn spray dish soap, it is great for organic messes like oil or grease. I don't care much for simple green, it's ok for cleaning counter tops...........the end.

[grcamna2]

Oven cleaners are typically sodium hydroxide based, with various stuff added to mask the noxious odor. This is lye, caustic soda, powerful alkali (opposite of acid). It turn grease into soap, this is why it works on gummed up ovens. Very reactive with aluminum, the can should have a warning not to use it on aluminum.
I would look for something else. It will etch the metal. May leach AL out of the alloy as well.
If you do try it, keep an eye on it and be ready to rinse it off fully after a few minutes as grcamna2 says. Not sure how great it is if you have to go at the metal with steel wool afterwards.
Soda or CO2 blasting is the best engine case cleaning process I've found.

I think a Vapor Blasting rig must be 100% the best to use; I Want One ! 

[BenelliSEI]

+1 to vapour blasting. Nothing beats it.

[beemerbum]

For sure on the vapor blasting. I have to admit I am looking to clean up a 350CL motor quick and easy. I just want it together looking decent. No SOHC4's involved

[Stev-o]

Has anyone used spray on oven cleaner to clean engine cases?

I tried it once, dont do it.  If the motor is greasy, use Gunk Foamy Engine Cleaner, works great. 
Should be available at your local auto parts store.

[carnivorous chicken]

Easy Off works great on really crudded up chrome though..

[MauiK3]

Simple Green
Dawn dish soap
and many others work well depending on the level and type of mess but oven cleaner would worry me.

[ADW]

Has anyone used spray on oven cleaner to clean engine cases?

I tried it once, dont do it.  If the motor is greasy, use Gunk Foamy Engine Cleaner, works great. 
Should be available at your local auto parts store.

Agreed 100%. I used Engine Cleaner from an autoparts store, worked great. Don't be surprised if you need a couple cans of it at least. You're only gonna want to clean it once before painting, so take your time and do it right! I used the engine cleaner until everything seemed to have come off, then a general household degreaser/cleaner like Fantastik to cut anything left on the parts and a good strong spray of warm water to clear that off, then used an Aircraft Paint Stripper from the Auto Parts Store as well. Worked great to remove the paint entirely. Gentle use of a power washer can be helpful.

[CycleRanger]

Yep, engine cleaner, orange/green cleaner, stiff nylon and brass brushes  and a lot of elbow grease.
Of course having the engine on a stand really helps.
Here's a couple of before and after photos of my CL350 engine.
This was before I knew I needed to pull the whole top end for a rebuild.

[Deltarider]

Dish soap can handle it and... you are on the safe side. If needed, just repeat.

[grcamna2]

I just found that using 'LA's Totally Awesome' straight out of the bottle works as good as Gunk for degreasing engines,imo.
A buddy from back East recommended it and it does the job at a 1/3 the cost.

[seanbarney41]

wd40

[willbird]

Dawn spray dish soap, it is great for organic messes like oil or grease. I don't care much for simple green, it's ok for cleaning counter tops...........the end.

IMHO a mistake people make with Simple Green and maybe other cleaners is running with the NAME and thinking it is a mild and gentle product, IMHO it is not so it should be used judiciously and maybe tested on a hidden area first before just submerging nice things in it. People have ruined their pew pew tools by submerging aluminum alloy parts in a stiff mix of simple green for too long.

[grcamna2]

Dawn spray dish soap, it is great for organic messes like oil or grease. I don't care much for simple green, it's ok for cleaning counter tops...........the end.

IMHO a mistake people make with Simple Green and maybe other cleaners is running with the NAME and thinking it is a mild and gentle product, IMHO it is not so it should be used judiciously and maybe tested on a hidden area first before just submerging nice things in it. People have ruined their pew pew tools by submerging aluminum alloy parts in a stiff mix of simple green for too long.

I agree,it is strong.
I use the Simple Green Pro HD purple,I get it from Home Depot.

[Rayzerman]

The new Simple Green Purple is good for all metals... during my resto, I have mixed it ~50% (or sometimes spray 100%) with water and a dash of Dawn, soaked engine cases, etc. for a day.  Use it in the ultrasonic cleaner as well.  Works good for hardware with a wire brush cleaning afterwards.  Some time ago before the purple, after trying several other things that didn't work on carbon, I soaked some pistons in the old green Simple Green and found it good for softening up carbon, then used wood popsickle or craft sticks to scrape it off.  No damaging effects that I could see.  I rinse with water,  then isopropyl alcohol and blow off as a final step.

For stubborn grease, use any solvent with naptha or mineral spirits (slower acting solvents), then do the soak with Simple Green, water, alcohol.  Again, no harm that I could see. 

[MauiK3]

I've use SG 50-50 with water in my ultrasonic cleaner, works well, I would not use it full strength in it, too aggressive.

[M 750K6]

On piston carbon, I used WD40 and a scotch pad. Took a couple of minutes each piston.

[Rayzerman]

WD = mostly naptha.  I did not try that on my pistons, but it likely works due to petrol-based and slow-acting.... I will remember this!

[M 750K6]

Expect you know this, but it's also perfect for removing chain lube from wheels, swing arm, chain guard.

[Tracksnblades1]

Has anyone used spray on oven cleaner to clean engine cases? I've heard that it makes unpainted, non-polished aluminum cases look showroom clean. But then again, I once heard that Taylor Swift will never succeed in the music business.

I’m sure you already know..A good pressure washer can make short work of pretty nasty crud…

I have real good results with a high pressure hot water pressure washer..
With extremely hot water 2000#s will remove just about anything you need removed. Even things you don’t.. Decals and good paint come to mind..😩

3500#s will do similarly the same cold without the steam fog…