Hot Rods Whats the best motor cleaner to use on a car before painting?

I am getting ready to paint the 56 Chrysler Windsor but want to clean off all the dust and light dirt that is all over the motor while I was sanding it down and working on it. I just need something easy going .I don't want to damage the primer. Any ideas? Thanks Bruce.

 

Purple Power and a 1-1/2" paint brush and hose off. Just did it to an engine and it did not effect the original paint and some newer epoxy primer. Good luck.

 

I have had very good luck from the cheap yellow degreaser from dollar general

 

I agree,that or greased lightning. HRP

 

I like Simple Green. Smells good, too!

 

I use Purple Power for cleaning and cuts grease OK for degreasing as well.

 

I would just blow off the dust then get some paper and tape then seal it off real good.

 

I spray EVERYTHING with rattle can Prep Spray, prior to painting. Spray on, wipe off excess, Paint-away!
Available at any auto parts store.

 

Just grab some plastic trash bags, tape them in with masking tape, after sanding take out bags and reuse them for trash, then use your leaf blower to blow dust out then spray 303 all under the hood, wipe down and it will look brand new.

 

O.K. Guys brought the 56 Chrysler out of the shop and parked it under the car port and let the motor warm up.I covered the front fenders with some big old drapes I had. I used greased lightening let it sit and then gently hosed it off. All the crud came off. and looks normal again. Now taping her up for paint. Thanks for all the advice.Bruce.

 

Better hurry up and get them back on the windows before the wife gets home!

 

Slopok. GOOD ONE. LOL. My step son works at a resort here and they were redoing the rooms and brought them home to me. I usually use them to cover the tires when I paint a car. Bruce.

 

Cascade.

 

I'm a fan of motorcycle cleaners. Gary

 

Orange cleaner from home depot works ok..

 

Start your engine getting it warmed up, turn off and spray it down with a can or two of Gunk, the old stuff not the new foam Gunk.
Close the hood but make sure to keep it wet with the Gunk for about 20 - 30 minutes, re-spraying and working on the real greasy spots, try to keep away from aluminum. keep it off your paint and such.
Start washing it off by wetting down your paint so any splashes on the paint will be diluted down, keep rinsing the paint off during the complete process.
I use my wife's electric pressure washer to rinse it off.
hope this helps

 

It will smell like kerosene for weeks on end if you use Gunk.

 

The smell always went away after we painted the motor, it does smell like kerosene!

 

Just finished prepping my 235 for paint.
Several coats of Gasoline, applied with a "throw-away" paint brush. Cardboard underneath absorbs the gas.
Then a few coats of Prep Spray.
The engine is spotless! And this thing had 1/4" of crud on it!
Here's a shot of the Head all painted.

 

Slopok.That's why I didn't use Gunk.I used greased lightening. No smell. Bruce.