best cleaner or degreaser you have used on your car. - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

illvialuver · 08-06-2008, 10:03 PM

Okay I am doing a over haul of my motor and engine bay, and I use this stuff called PURPLE POWER. This stuff is great. it is cheap, like two gallons for ten bucks, and it works better than that oxyclean stuff that you set and forget and cleans your metal parts like new.
but if you use this wear gloves because it will dry out your hands worse than anything. Make your hands like sandpaper, and I know that could effect some peoples love lifes.

if anyone has used this or something better just post what it is and about how much it cost and where you get it.

i get the purple power at autozone.

ILoveMyRHS13 · 08-06-2008, 10:07 PM

I personally LOVE Simple Green. You can buy a 30:1 concentrate at Walmart for $7; it makes 15 gallons or more. I also heard that throttle body cleaner eats away at grease, but I wouldn't use that.

rb25_s13*CHUKI · 08-06-2008, 10:07 PM

It's baller but it works.. Brake cleaner Like $6 a can but it's kinda worth it. Or if you don't care about your paint get a pressure washer and Easy off oven cleaner..

94eghatch · 08-06-2008, 10:08 PM

Have used Engine Bright for when the motor is out of the car, $5 for can at Ricerzone. Will have to try this stuff.

!Zar! · 08-06-2008, 10:26 PM

Simple Green.

Some times Greased Lightning if I don't give a damn.

240=180 · 08-06-2008, 10:31 PM

yep simple green or rc motor spray lol

smurfgcr · 08-06-2008, 10:35 PM

simple green concentrate mixed with sclading hot water and an engine cleaning gun ftw.
plus the smell just makes me all happy inside too for some reason

rightcoastimports · 08-06-2008, 10:53 PM

i've always been afraid to powerwash my engine... because of the electronics. Any suggestions?

smurfgcr · 08-06-2008, 10:55 PM

you can tape things off, or just be very careful ive never had any problems after washing the engine/bay and im pretty careless

rightcoastimports · 08-06-2008, 11:10 PM

maybe its better to do it with the car running too.. think i've heard that one before.

duffman1278 · 08-06-2008, 11:14 PM

I vote for simple green as well, I love that stuff.

240=180 · 08-06-2008, 11:14 PM

just dont wet your ignition coil or distibutor...... oh yea and dont spray water into your intake lol

***S14DB*** · 08-06-2008, 11:20 PM

Methyl Ethyl Ketone, cleans up EVERYTHING...

slidewaysmn · 08-06-2008, 11:25 PM

Umm...i just use engine degreaser...

neoninja · 08-06-2008, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by S14DB

Methyl Ethyl Ketone, cleans up EVERYTHING...

I'm with him, MEK destoys all.

trsilvias13 · 08-06-2008, 11:28 PM

dawn, joy, any dish washing fluid. they actually break down grease, but at the same time dont get it on your waxed body panel as they will remove that too.

*downshift_sideways* · 08-06-2008, 11:30 PM

Brake cleaner.

LS240 · 08-06-2008, 11:39 PM

I've used Purple power as well, and the Walmart generic version. They work great but as the OP said, they will eat your skin. I got some in a small cut and it burned like no other. My friend tried using it without gloves and it actually ate his fingernails. They were almost as soft as skin afterwards.

The lesson is children: Wear heavy duty gloves.

Oh and I can't verify it but I heard from someone today that vinegar and cream of tartar(you can find it in the baking aisle at grocery stores usually) just destroys grease.

SexPanda · 08-06-2008, 11:50 PM

Dawn Dish Soap...

Wash it real good, wax it, call it a day.

Bigsyke · 08-06-2008, 11:59 PM

The simple green at homedepot that says "safe for carbon fiber" is the strongest stuff ive used.

However it took the paint right off the engine bay with some light scrubbing. Only use it on aluminum.

illvialuver · 08-07-2008, 12:17 AM

if you wanna remove paint get that aircraft remover, and I like the simple green but the smell reminds me of cheap hotels, and bar room bathrooms.

DataXUnknown · 08-07-2008, 12:37 AM

Wheel cleaner...used that shit to was all the greasey hand prints that simple green left behind!

Trust me guys...my buddy told me about it, I tried it, and it worked so well. Any kinda wheel cleaner, like Armorall wheel cleaner or somthin. Then after that use Nu Finish to wax and your car will look like new.

Smurf_240SX · 08-07-2008, 12:49 AM

orange Citrus Easy off oven cleaner...and a nice scrub.

Fonix36 · 08-07-2008, 12:53 AM

Fabuloso lol na gunk is the shit but fabuloso smells better

**mrmephistopheles** · 08-07-2008, 01:07 AM

Castrol Super Clean (dunno if they sell it anymore) always worked well for me.
Going to try Purple Power soon. Good to know it's wicked on skin.

**ThatGuy** · 08-07-2008, 05:11 AM

Simple Green

I like the fact that they are non-toxic, biodegradable, and environmentally safe.

fromxtor · 08-07-2008, 07:37 AM

I'm glad I ran across this thread, I need to clean/degrease/remove oxidation off this alum block. We will see what dishsoap, purplepower, and simple green do mixed w/ hot water.

I will be wearing gloves and a respirator.

xplicit240 · 08-07-2008, 07:46 AM

i vote for engine brite foam and brake cleaner.

gregfarz78 · 08-07-2008, 09:43 AM

MEK is the shit but can you buy it at a auto parts store? I used to work at a place that had huge drums of it I would take some every now and then lol I've been using greased lighting but I have to try that simple green

240trainee · 08-07-2008, 10:20 AM

Purple Power isn't as good as the old Castrol Purple shit.

but it does the job.

08-06-2008, 10:03 PM	#1
illvialuver Post Whore! Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: M-A-R-S... MARS BITCHES Age: 42 Posts: 5,065 Trader Rating: (35) Feedback Score: 35 reviews	best cleaner or degreaser you have used on your car. Okay I am doing a over haul of my motor and engine bay, and I use this stuff called PURPLE POWER. This stuff is great. it is cheap, like two gallons for ten bucks, and it works better than that oxyclean stuff that you set and forget and cleans your metal parts like new. but if you use this wear gloves because it will dry out your hands worse than anything. Make your hands like sandpaper, and I know that could effect some peoples love lifes. if anyone has used this or something better just post what it is and about how much it cost and where you get it. i get the purple power at autozone.

08-06-2008, 10:07 PM	#3
rb25_s13*CHUKI Post Whore! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Cali Age: 36 Posts: 2,759 Trader Rating: (16) Feedback Score: 16 reviews	It's baller but it works.. Brake cleaner Like $6 a can but it's kinda worth it. Or if you don't care about your paint get a pressure washer and Easy off oven cleaner.. __________________ Obliterate

08-06-2008, 10:26 PM	#5
!Zar! Post Whore! Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: North Korea Posts: 14,579 Trader Rating: (27) Feedback Score: 27 reviews	Simple Green. Some times Greased Lightning if I don't give a damn. __________________

08-06-2008, 10:53 PM	#8
rightcoastimports Zilvia Addict Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Boston Area Age: 40 Posts: 663 Trader Rating: (15) Feedback Score: 15 reviews	i've always been afraid to powerwash my engine... because of the electronics. Any suggestions? __________________ 95 SR Zenki \| @ e_form daily - A34 Maxima \| A36 Maxima

08-06-2008, 11:10 PM	#10
rightcoastimports Zilvia Addict Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Boston Area Age: 40 Posts: 663 Trader Rating: (15) Feedback Score: 15 reviews	maybe its better to do it with the car running too.. think i've heard that one before. __________________ 95 SR Zenki \| @ e_form daily - A34 Maxima \| A36 Maxima

08-06-2008, 10:08 PM	#4
94eghatch Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Columbia, MO Age: 39 Posts: 25 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Have used Engine Bright for when the motor is out of the car, $5 for can at Ricerzone. Will have to try this stuff.

08-06-2008, 10:31 PM	#6
240=180 Zilvia Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: east bay Posts: 244 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	yep simple green or rc motor spray lol

08-06-2008, 10:35 PM	#7
smurfgcr Zilvia Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: santa rosa, ca Posts: 152 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	simple green concentrate mixed with sclading hot water and an engine cleaning gun ftw. plus the smell just makes me all happy inside too for some reason

08-06-2008, 10:55 PM	#9
smurfgcr Zilvia Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: santa rosa, ca Posts: 152 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	you can tape things off, or just be very careful ive never had any problems after washing the engine/bay and im pretty careless

08-06-2008, 11:14 PM	#11
duffman1278 Post Whore! Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Covina Age: 37 Posts: 2,844 Trader Rating: (8) Rides Gallery: duffman1278 Feedback Score: 8 reviews	I vote for simple green as well, I love that stuff.

08-06-2008, 11:20 PM	#13
*S14DB* AFC #1 Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: 昨晩あなたのお母さんの家 Posts: 20,181 Trader Rating: (3) Feedback Score: 3 reviews	Methyl Ethyl Ketone, cleans up EVERYTHING... __________________ Comments should be taken as Opinions not as Statements of Fact

08-06-2008, 11:25 PM	#14
slidewaysmn Leaky Injector Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brainerd, MN Age: 35 Posts: 136 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Umm...i just use engine degreaser... __________________ '95 Zenki '85 Cressida

08-06-2008, 11:28 PM	#16
trsilvias13 Nissanaholic! Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 1,995 Trader Rating: (5) Feedback Score: 5 reviews	dawn, joy, any dish washing fluid. they actually break down grease, but at the same time dont get it on your waxed body panel as they will remove that too.

08-06-2008, 11:30 PM	#17
downshift_sideways No Limit Soldier. Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Hayward CA, San Gabriel CA Age: 38 Posts: 5,550 Trader Rating: (0) Rides Gallery: downshift_sideways Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Brake cleaner. __________________ allntrlundrgrnd: "you never really appreciate your parents fridge until you look into your own and its full of condiments only"

08-06-2008, 11:39 PM	#18
LS240 Zilvia Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Grand Junction, CO Posts: 158 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I've used Purple power as well, and the Walmart generic version. They work great but as the OP said, they will eat your skin. I got some in a small cut and it burned like no other. My friend tried using it without gloves and it actually ate his fingernails. They were almost as soft as skin afterwards. The lesson is children: Wear heavy duty gloves. Oh and I can't verify it but I heard from someone today that vinegar and cream of tartar(you can find it in the baking aisle at grocery stores usually) just destroys grease.

08-06-2008, 11:50 PM	#19
SexPanda Post Whore! Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Where ever there is free beer Posts: 3,239 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Dawn Dish Soap... Wash it real good, wax it, call it a day. __________________ BRAND NEW GReddy PRofec E-01 EBC for sale, Cheap!

08-06-2008, 11:59 PM	#20
Bigsyke Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: NA Age: 40 Posts: 1,342 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	The simple green at homedepot that says "safe for carbon fiber" is the strongest stuff ive used. However it took the paint right off the engine bay with some light scrubbing. Only use it on aluminum.

08-07-2008, 12:17 AM	#21
illvialuver Post Whore! Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: M-A-R-S... MARS BITCHES Age: 42 Posts: 5,065 Trader Rating: (35) Feedback Score: 35 reviews	if you wanna remove paint get that aircraft remover, and I like the simple green but the smell reminds me of cheap hotels, and bar room bathrooms.

08-07-2008, 12:37 AM	#22
DataXUnknown Post Whore! Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Mission Viejo, CA Age: 35 Posts: 2,934 Trader Rating: (30) Rides Gallery: DataXUnknown Feedback Score: 30 reviews	Wheel cleaner...used that shit to was all the greasey hand prints that simple green left behind! Trust me guys...my buddy told me about it, I tried it, and it worked so well. Any kinda wheel cleaner, like Armorall wheel cleaner or somthin. Then after that use Nu Finish to wax and your car will look like new.

08-07-2008, 12:49 AM	#23
Smurf_240SX Zilvia Addict Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: So Cal- I.E Age: 36 Posts: 880 Trader Rating: (9) Feedback Score: 9 reviews	orange Citrus Easy off oven cleaner...and a nice scrub.

08-07-2008, 12:53 AM	#24
Fonix36 Nissanaholic! Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: southern cali Age: 35 Posts: 2,457 Trader Rating: (34) Feedback Score: 34 reviews	Fabuloso lol na gunk is the shit but fabuloso smells better __________________ DRiFT 4 A Cure!

08-07-2008, 05:11 AM	#26
ThatGuy Admin Asshole Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Retired Age: 45 Posts: 20,394 Trader Rating: (0) Rides Gallery: ThatGuy Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Simple Green I like the fact that they are non-toxic, biodegradable, and environmentally safe. __________________ "Speak softly,..." -Pres. Teddy Roosevelt "Be polite, be professional, ..." -Gen. James Mattis

08-07-2008, 07:37 AM	#27
fromxtor Post Whore! Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: NC Age: 44 Posts: 3,012 Trader Rating: (23) Feedback Score: 23 reviews	I'm glad I ran across this thread, I need to clean/degrease/remove oxidation off this alum block. We will see what dishsoap, purplepower, and simple green do mixed w/ hot water. I will be wearing gloves and a respirator. __________________ Seller feedback>>http://www.zilvia.net/f/showthread.p...light=fromxtor

08-07-2008, 07:46 AM	#28
xplicit240 Zilvia Addict Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Weird NJ! Age: 40 Posts: 723 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	i vote for engine brite foam and brake cleaner. __________________

08-07-2008, 09:43 AM	#29
gregfarz78 Zilvia Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Your mom's basement Posts: 263 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	MEK is the shit but can you buy it at a auto parts store? I used to work at a place that had huge drums of it I would take some every now and then lol I've been using greased lighting but I have to try that simple green

08-07-2008, 10:20 AM	#30
240trainee Post Whore! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Richmond, VA Age: 38 Posts: 3,861 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	Purple Power isn't as good as the old Castrol Purple shit. but it does the job. __________________ Team Pterodactyl SHARK ATTACK!!! LookoutDrift