Cleaning the old farm dust

[bambamshere]

I have been looking at google to see if there was a easier way to clean the old farm dust and grim off parts on my truck. The dirt and grime on the parts like the axle and steering box is real bad. So much I tried to pressure was it off last year and it didn't penetrate the dirt. Kind of like cement now. 

 

Anyways does anyone have a easy way to do it. Juat so it is easier to get to bolts to take stuff off. 

 

I have tried pressure washing it and carb cleaner to see if it will loosen it up and wire wheel on a drill. 

[ggdad1951]

I used a torch to warm it up and scraped off if it was kinda tar based.  Otherwise a good old paint or ice scraper and a few beers did the trick.

[bambamshere]

I have also used a flat small screw driver. It is real slow going. Don't think anyone ever had done any washing under the truck. Steering box is supposed to be squareish and right now it round. 

[NiftyFifty]

You can try a couple cans of actual foaming degreaser, carb cleaner evaporates too fast, brake clean is actually better...I use it on a lot of parts clean up.  Even soaking it in WD40 or PB blaster can help with the rock hard stuff...then after scraping, clean with brake clean or degreaser....Princess Auto has brake clan on cheap right now, if they have any left

[RobertKB]

Old chisel and ballpeen hammer work best for me along with some elbow grease. I don't think there is an easy way to do this and most of us have been in your position. I know I have..........several times!

[bambamshere]

I tried a wire brush on the end of a drill the stuff was so hard that sparks started flying. Guess stuff has almost turned to rock. I have gotton some off today. Its just so you can get to the bolts and put some penetrating oil on them. 

[Bingster]

Did I hear Easy-Off oven cleaner somewhere? It's nasty stuff.

[The Oil Soup]

I have used oven cleaner from the dollar store and it worked very well.

[bambamshere]

Wouldn't oven cleaner be corrosive on parts. 

[Todd B]

I have attended big rig truck shows and the guys who use the trucks over the road will use oven Cleaner to shine up there engines for the show. 

[FlashBuddy]

There is a YouTube video where a car guy reccomends oven cleaner as part odf the engine detailing process.

 

[Bingster]

That's amazing.  I don't know about soaking a '47 Desoto engine compartment with water, however. 

[Jeff Balazs]

An old fashioned steam cleaning machine would be my tool of choice. When I was a kid working in an old garage I was taught how to use one of these things properly. The steam and some laundry detergent just melted the crud away. I got really good with it and the results were often astonishing. Much better than a pressure washer!

Jeff

[DJ194950]

1 hour ago, Jeff Balazs said:

An old fashioned steam cleaning machine would be my tool of choice. When I was a kid working in an old garage I was taught how to use one of these things properly. The steam and some laundry detergent just melted the crud away. I got really good with it and the results were often astonishing. Much better than a pressure washer!

Jeff

 

Hang a line and clean you underwear at the same time!

Make your wife happy also! 

 

DJ

Edited March 27, 2018 by DJ194950

[Bingster]

I didn't think of a steam cleaning machine. Although I think I have seen it on here sometime ago. Anyway, I guess DIY stores probably have a smaller one?