what cleaning product to use

slickmainer · Post by **slickmainer** » June 2, 2010, 9:46 am

I'm going to clean some parts of my frame (once the bed is off).

Do I degrease it first, then wire brush/wheel, then clean again before putting down Eastwood encapsulator. OR, do I just get to it with the brush and clean it later.

My main question is what cleaner do you use. Eastwood sells this "Pre" stuff, but is there a better oil/grease cutter out there? I dont have a pressure washer so any advise as to where to start for cleaning the frame, im just unsure of the progression, and the product to cut the road grime,grease,oil build up, and surface rust

much thanks

Max · Post by **Max** » June 2, 2010, 9:53 am

What I did to mine (in the garage) was scrap all oil, grease, mud off with a scraper. Then I used a few products like simple green and citrus-based type degreasers and scrubbed everything with nylon brushes. Rinse with water. Eastwood's Rust encapsulator, Eastwood's Extreme Chassis Black (2 coats).

My frame wasn't too bad to start with, except for the engine area - what a mess!

I did mine this way because I didn't want to spend the money having to move it to a blaster and back.

1965fordf100 · Post by **1965fordf100** » June 2, 2010, 9:55 am

Gregg

I used a bucket of dish soap, and water with a scrub brush from wal-mart. Then I wire brushed, and then I used Power Purple degreaser. After that process I sprayed Eastwoods Rust Encapsulator, and then the Chassis Black from Eastwood. So far everything seems to be good, but I am far from having my truck back on the road. I have accidently hit the frame a couple times moving things around in the garage, and it did not scratch the paint.

slickmainer · Post by **slickmainer** » June 2, 2010, 9:55 am

thats where i am. if i had a trailer already id take it to get soda blasted or powered coated, but im kinda limited so i was going to try and do it all "in house/garage/tent"
thanks for the names of products too. all we have around the house is natural soaps so it's good to get a few chemical names to add to my shopping list.

Tech · Post by **Tech** » June 2, 2010, 10:07 am

Purple Power is a great degreaser.
It will bleach paint and dull polished aluminum.
Tech

Post by **Greg D** » June 2, 2010, 11:35 am

Gregg,
First scrape the heavy stuff off (it's a waste of degreaser and time to wash it 15 times to get through it). I used Purple Power on mine. You can use a hose with a pressure nozzle - you just may end up doing it a couple times in some spots. Be sure to get yourself a face shield too - you don't want dirt & oil blowing into your eyes.
Using a pressure nozzle gives you an opportunity to be a tad more detailed. Get a long handled brush and mix up so cleaner & water in a bucket to use on the bad spots while you are washing it off.
Even after a real good general cleaning you will find a few spots that still have some residue on them. This where you get a little more detailed. I'll use 3M type scouring pads and a Purple Power water mix to get them the rest of the way clean. The rear engine crossmember is an example of an area I'll go back over.
Wire brush after you have it clean otherwise you wire brush will just spread any grease/oil around more.
I am wiping the frame down with lacquer thinner also before applying the POR.
Before

After

fire truck · Post by **fire truck** » June 2, 2010, 12:21 pm

I scrape then scrub with dawn and rinse. Then I wire brush any loose rust off and rinse again. then I shoot it with rustoleum primer and paint....

Max · Post by **Max** » June 2, 2010, 1:58 pm

Greg, i don't see any difference.

just kidding!

Gritsngumbo · Post by **Gritsngumbo** » June 2, 2010, 2:05 pm

I didn't either, but didn't want to seem rude.

fire truck · Post by **fire truck** » June 2, 2010, 3:19 pm

You guys don't see the difference? I see that the difference fine. Some of the water has dried off in the second picture....

Max · Post by **Max** » June 2, 2010, 3:25 pm

I was kidding! You can see the frame has been degreased pretty well.

ICEMAN6166 · Post by **ICEMAN6166** » June 2, 2010, 3:58 pm

i like the purple stuff too.
i get 60 psi out of the garden hose,and also i have a 2400 psi power washer that does a good job too.

first i go around with a putty knife and get off what grime i can.

on scaly parts of the frame i will run a wire wheel or brush over to get the loose stuff off

DukeRoche · Post by **DukeRoche** » June 2, 2010, 4:09 pm

This may seem amateur but if your taking the bed off why not sandblast the frame? Seems to me much less time consuming then scraping with a brush or a putty knife. I ask this because I'll be taking the bed off mine soon and my frame has some rust issues. I was going to sandblast but if thats not recommended for cleaning rust off I need to rethink my strategy.

Alan Mclennan · Post by **Alan Mclennan** » June 2, 2010, 5:27 pm

Duke, there`s nothing wrong with your thinking mate!, I had mine sand blasted, and it came up sweet!, saves time to!, if you like scraping and painting ! join the Australian Navy!

slickmainer · Post by **slickmainer** » June 2, 2010, 5:46 pm

i dont have access to a sandblaster or a trailer to have it towed to a blaster location. I could have one of those mobile soda blasters come by, but id rather just try it

Alan Mclennan · Post by **Alan Mclennan** » June 2, 2010, 5:57 pm

point taken Gregg!, just be careful around the M/C area!

going by Greg D`s pic! they fall off!

DukeRoche · Post by **DukeRoche** » June 2, 2010, 6:08 pm

Someone recommended this link to me once for this kinda job before I got a blaster. Maybe something on here might help you out?

http://bluelightning.zoovy.com/c=RUC3JQ ... wvVnQ7fS3/

ICEMAN6166 · Post by **ICEMAN6166** » June 2, 2010, 7:38 pm

por 15 sticks better to rough metal.
sandblasting is not necessary if you follow the cleaning methods properly.

sandblasting is time consuming.
i have been doing my uni bed floor all day.
just came in to clean off all the sand stuck on me.

Gritsngumbo · Post by **Gritsngumbo** » June 2, 2010, 8:38 pm

Although a neighbor has offered me the use of his brand new sand blaster (been in storage for several years, never used). I thought I would see how much of the rust and crud I could get off with a wire brush and scraper. I also tried out a product I picked up at the hardware store: OPSPHO. It's a rust inhibitor made up of Phosphoric acid, Sodium Dichromate, Surfactants, and Extenders. Turned out pretty good.

Haven't tried paint on the frame section yet as I still plan to blast the frame, firewall etc. when I get the engine removed and my neighbor delivers the blaster. But I did use the OPSHPO on my bell housing which was covered with flash rust, then painted it with Rustoleum engine paint. Turned out great.
Oh yeah, I use the purple stuff too!

jwh f-100 · Post by **jwh f-100** » June 2, 2010, 9:04 pm

Gregg, I pressure washed mine, a little wirebrushing, pressure washed again then applied rustoleum with a brush.