Dear comrades!

During the restoration process, there is always a question of 'What to use to clean the engine?', as well as how to clean other parts that are clogged with oil and dirt during disassembly and inspection.

Everyone answers in their own way, and in the end we wash with kerosene, solvent, gasoline, carb cleaner, alkalis, etc. — very harmful and not particularly effective materials. As a result, we get cracked skin and damaged spleen :)

I give my recipe, relatively safe and personally tested.


1. 'Slow', or economical method. If we are cleaning in a planned manner and have enough time — I recommend professional compositions 'Detalan A10' or 'Detalan F'. These are neutral detergents that are very effective and safe. They clean well, have no smell, rinse with water. Can be used in poorly ventilated rooms (in a garage). Apply the composition, wait half an hour — then wash off with a brush with hard bristles (not metal; I often use toothbrushes). Then if necessary, repeat. In particularly difficult cases, soaking overnight or heating the part in the solution almost to boiling may help. 'Detalan' is sold in cans (not in stores), or on tap by companies that supply car wash and repair shops.

2. 'Fast', or costly method. If we don't have time and need to clean an oil varnish coating from a part right now — use products like 'Remover for old paint/sealant' or 'Gasket remover' — the process will take no more than 5 minutes. Apply, wait several minutes — then remove the dissolved... It's preferable to apply outdoors but in small volumes can be used indoors as well. Aerosol packaging is most convenient. Sold in auto parts stores.

When cleaning manually, in addition to brushes and cloths, it's handy to use a Scotch-Brite (red) pad — however, note that it slightly removes the protective galvanic coating (if it remains). If the part will be painted — then this doesn't matter, you're just preparing the surface by making it rough.

Don't forget after thorough cleaning and drying of the part — if you don't plan to paint or prime right away — protect it from moisture by storing in a sealed box or applying WD-40, for example.

All work must be done wearing protective gloves! Additionally, I recommend safety goggles — there's a risk of splashes getting into your eyes when cleaning with brushes.

So, summarizing:

'If you have time use 'Detalan';

If you don't have time use 'Gasket remover'.

Sample photos attached.

Good luck!

Author — https://www.drive2.ru/users/pim25/