Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Shop Talk Petroliana Forums General Petroliana Discussion Cleaning grease and oil

I found these in a crate sitting on a curb in front of an abandonded gas station. I'd like to clean them thoroughly and make them look (almost) brand new.

What cleaning product do you use and what is the best way to remove grease and oil?

Thanks

I use simple green and GOOP orange on items where I don't have to worry about paint removal. I went to the dollar store and picked up a battery powered toothbrush. Works great to gently work loose dirt and oil. But nothing works better(for me) than taking some GOOP in my fingers and rubbing the item. Make sure the item is dry to begin with. After loosing up the oil, grease... etc, then use a little bit of water to remove the debris. Or at least that's how I do it, LOL.

To remove the oil & dirt you can shoot it with a degreaser & let it sit a while to soak in. Then hose it off. A pressure washer would work better but dont hold it to close to the painted oilers so you dont remove any of the paint. Then you can work them over as Bob said to get anything left

SPRAY 'EM WITH WD40 AND LET THEM SIT FOR A HALF HOUR, WIPE THEM OFF WITH A DRY RAG/TOWEL.

Walmart sells a product called Purple Power that is the best cleaner/degreaser I've ever used. Cheap and effective. About $5 a gallon or $11 for 21/2 gallons. It'll take paint off if left on too long (skin too). Wear gloves if you're doing very much with it. I put it in a spray bottle, squirt it on, let it sit a little bit, brush if needed, and spray it off with a hose. Works great.

......Rick

Plain old undiluted Dawn dish washing liquid is mild on painted items and not harsh or dangerous to you. It may take a little longer but it's cheap enough and safe for you and the oilers.