Napoleon Solo

Anybody have any suggestions for a cleaner that leaves no residue for wiping down my engine prior to repainting?

MDchanic

Oven cleaner.

Or heavy-duty detergent, like "Oil Eater."

- Eric

SkylinesSuck

Is the engine in the car or out? I can vouch for the oven cleaner doing an awesome job, but be aware it eats many things besides grease such as paint, aluminium, and whatever is coating my engine stand lol. I wouldn't try it on an engine in the car.

Oldsmaniac

After cleaning I use brake parts cleaner to get rid of any oil traces.

cjsdad

Simple Green is a great cleaner, is non-toxic, and water soluble. Once rinsed, it leaves no residue. It takes lots of elbow grease to get the engine grease off though. Use the engine de-greaser or oven cleaner to get the tough stuff off and the Simple Green to get the rest of the dirt and grease off.

Napoleon Solo

Thanks, gents. Engine is out, going onto my engine stand for regasketing and repaint. Its already pretty much clean - I wanted to make sure the paint bonds well. At this point simple green is the way to go. I was thinking acetone actually.

MDchanic

Not acetone. Too volatile. By the time you pour it on, it's already evaporated away.

If you're going to use a solvent, it's best to start with something that sticks around, like diesel fuel, or kerosene, or mineral spirits. After that, you can give it the final touch with BrāKleen.

- Eric

Napoleon Solo

Sounds reasonable. Here is my engine, just mounted to my freshly fabricated and powder coated engine stand. Tomorrow the disassembly starts.

MDchanic

Oooh. Nice.

Be careful of them fancy bearings, or that thing'll turn on you like a beat-down pit bull.

- Eric

young olds

Last time I painted an engine I loaded it and a cherry picker in my truck and went to the car wash. Great for an initial clean, especially if you soak the engine with something before you go