Pressure cleaning

[ffrnemtp]

When you folks clean an old, greasy tractor do you soak it down with degreaser first? Any tips for pressure cleaning?

It's fairly warm here in FL, mid 60s (sorry to rub it in).

 

[Mike Groom]

I usually scrape all the heavy grease and dirt off first,then use gunk degreaser on the greasey spots and power wash it.22 degrees and 20mph winds in Northern Il.

 

[souNdguy]

I usually spray a greasy one down with something like foamy engine bright, but only after manually removing heavy stuff wtih a screwdriver or scraper / wire brush... let the degreaser work, then pressure wash off, then spray on a solvent like purple power or simple green, greased lightning, etc, to cut any remaining oil or the degreaser itself...

Avoid using the pressure washer on the alternator or generator, distribuitor, dash, or other sensitive areas like belts, things with rubber boots, or on gasket seams.

a strong pressure washer can also deform thin skinned tins.. so be carefull.

soundguy

 

[ffrnemtp]

Thanks

 

[lha]

Mike is talking about an icicle.I stopped to clean the snow out of my truckbed,and it froze all over the sides.---lha

 

[DollarBill]

If you've got a big cleaning job like more than one tractor - I use kerosene in a pump up sprayer and let it soak 20-30 minutes and hit it with the pressure washer.

If cleaning to repaint, spray it down with oven cleaner (buck a can at $ store) and let it sit overnight. Then use the pressure washer. [color=darkred:2de679573f]Caution:[/color:2de679573f] The main component is lye which will cut all the grease and most of the paint (helps keep electrolysis tank clean) but it will burn skin and always use eye protection when pressure washing.

 

[Dave Sherburne NY]

I usually wash it down with the pressure washer to
get the thick stuff off, let it dry, soak it with
Kerosene, then wash it again with the pressure
washer.

 

[NoNewParts]

I scrape most of it off first with screwdrivers and a putty knife.
Just pull up a deck chair, turn on the TV or radio and scrape away.
After I get most of it, I'll use engine cleaner if I have some,
or kerosene and a brush if I don't.
Let it sit awhile, tie some plastic grocery bags around the
distributor and alternator/gen.
If I haven't rewired it myself, I unhook a battery cable,
and then pressure wash it.
Like others have said, watch that pressure washer.
If a part looks like it couldn't handle getting shot with a gun,
don't hit it with the washer.
I don't always follow the safety rules, but I do use goggles
when pressure washing. Those little gremlins in the washer have amazing aim!
How they can always bounce something off my cheek, under my
safety glasses into my eye is amazing. Must be related to the gremlins
in my bench grinder........
Rich