The Ford Barn

russcc · 01-10-2016, 06:33 AM

Have an a well used '40 that needs a good chassis cleaning to remove years of built up grease, oil & road dirt. The rental place gas a 3000 PSI, 220 degree hot water pressure washer I was thinking of using. Anyone have experience removing this stuff that way. Thank you Fordbarners.

Mac VP · 01-10-2016, 07:23 AM

You won't believe the mess you'll make with this. Greasy stuff will fly everywhere, including all over you. Even if you do this in an area that doesn't have to be cleaned up afterwards, the back-blast will get on your face, in your boots, etc. The disappointing part is that for all the mess you suffer through, there will STILL be grease on the chassis. Ask me how I know all this....

Do it right. Pull the engine, transmission, rear end, fuel tank, brakes, etc and either get the frame sandblasted or acid dipped. Hand scrape the heavy grease and dirt off the big components and scrub with wire brushes and your favorite suds or solvent. You can finish them off nicely now with a pressure wash, but you'll still want a raincoat and goggles.

There's no easy way on this job....

RKS.PA · 01-10-2016, 07:28 AM

I don't know about the 3000 psi, but I used my own 1500 psi regular pressure washer to to the same job on my '39 about twenty years ago and then I took it to one of these do it yourself car washes to finish the engine and trans. Seems like the worst that could happen is damaging the electrical. Mine was shot so I did a complete re-wire anyway. By the way, the washing left a lot of grease and dirt on my driveway. Hope this helps.

Dick.

Brendan · 01-10-2016, 11:05 AM

screwdriver and a gasket scraper

cmbrucew · 01-10-2016, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brendan

screwdriver and a gasket scraper

I would add a wire brush.
Strongly suggest using a drop cloth for easy cleanup of the site.
Bruce

JSeery · 01-10-2016, 11:45 AM

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Messy job anyway you go about it! I always start with scrapping off as much as possible, and like Mac, end up sandblasting.

Vics Stuff · 01-10-2016, 08:31 PM

I would recommend to scrape most of the heavy stuff off to contain the mess then I use a oil degreaser sold through O-Rilleys auto parts called Oil eater. That stuff is bio degratable
and works great. just spray several applications and let set for a while and can get by even using garden hose. Pressure washer is best but like some have indicate the stuff flies everywhere.
Vic

41LjH · 01-10-2016, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brendan

screwdriver and a gasket scraper

I cleaned the frame and rear end with a putty knife, wire brush and De-greaser in a spray bottle. Took a long time, but it worked.
No substitution for elbow grease.

Chisel · 01-11-2016, 01:19 AM

Rent a steam cleaner. It's low pressure and melts the grease off.

01-10-2016, 06:33 AM	#1
russcc Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,871	75 years of '40 grease/dirt crud off Have an a well used '40 that needs a good chassis cleaning to remove years of built up grease, oil & road dirt. The rental place gas a 3000 PSI, 220 degree hot water pressure washer I was thinking of using. Anyone have experience removing this stuff that way. Thank you Fordbarners.

01-10-2016, 07:23 AM	#2
Mac VP Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 1,361	Re: 75 years of '40 grease/dirt crud off You won't believe the mess you'll make with this. Greasy stuff will fly everywhere, including all over you. Even if you do this in an area that doesn't have to be cleaned up afterwards, the back-blast will get on your face, in your boots, etc. The disappointing part is that for all the mess you suffer through, there will STILL be grease on the chassis. Ask me how I know all this.... Do it right. Pull the engine, transmission, rear end, fuel tank, brakes, etc and either get the frame sandblasted or acid dipped. Hand scrape the heavy grease and dirt off the big components and scrub with wire brushes and your favorite suds or solvent. You can finish them off nicely now with a pressure wash, but you'll still want a raincoat and goggles. There's no easy way on this job.... __________________ VANPELT SALES LLC Cincinnati, Ohio Office: 513-724-9486 www.vanpeltsales.com www.classictransmission.com

01-10-2016, 07:28 AM	#3
RKS.PA Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Marana, AZ Posts: 1,194	Re: 75 years of '40 grease/dirt crud off I don't know about the 3000 psi, but I used my own 1500 psi regular pressure washer to to the same job on my '39 about twenty years ago and then I took it to one of these do it yourself car washes to finish the engine and trans. Seems like the worst that could happen is damaging the electrical. Mine was shot so I did a complete re-wire anyway. By the way, the washing left a lot of grease and dirt on my driveway. Hope this helps. Dick.

01-10-2016, 11:05 AM	#4
Brendan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: At my kitchen table in Santa Rosa, Ca Posts: 2,903	Re: 75 years of '40 grease/dirt crud off screwdriver and a gasket scraper __________________ If it would have been a snake it would have bit ya! i can't spell my way out of a paper bag!

01-10-2016, 11:45 AM	#6
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: 75 years of '40 grease/dirt crud off Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Messy job anyway you go about it! I always start with scrapping off as much as possible, and like Mac, end up sandblasting.

01-10-2016, 08:31 PM	#7
Vics Stuff Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Reno Nevada Posts: 391	Re: 75 years of '40 grease/dirt crud off I would recommend to scrape most of the heavy stuff off to contain the mess then I use a oil degreaser sold through O-Rilleys auto parts called Oil eater. That stuff is bio degratable and works great. just spray several applications and let set for a while and can get by even using garden hose. Pressure washer is best but like some have indicate the stuff flies everywhere. Vic

01-11-2016, 01:19 AM	#9
Chisel Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 232	Re: 75 years of '40 grease/dirt crud off Rent a steam cleaner. It's low pressure and melts the grease off. __________________ Chisel Evil Lurks...for those that don't carry a side arm!!!