Cleaning oil and grease stains from outside of the cylinders?

[yz400ex]

I am wanting to know if anyone has a good solution to cleaning old oil stains from the outside of the cylinder casting. I dont have the option for glass bead or soda blast so I am just looking for a method I can use at home with a cleaner and brush or something. I have read all kinds of methods that others have tried, but I am looking for ideas from sledders who have actually done this. I dont mind using a little elbow grease on cleaning them. I am trying to find what can be used to do a good job and not risk any damage to the inside or outside of the cylinder at all. They are off of the machine so soaking them is something that can be done.. Can anyone help me out?

 

[TRS]

Bleachwhite works very well. Make sure you don't leave it on to long and rinse well with cold water. Works well on oil fouled plastic also. Keep it away from your polished aluminum it will stain.

 

[AdrenalineAddict]

Nothing works likes good old starting fluid.

 

[Bowfisher]

WD-40 works pretty good

 

[4Z]

Starting fluid does make a great cleaner. Smells great too!

 

[yz400ex]

Bleachwhite works very well. Make sure you don't leave it on to long and rinse well with cold water. Works well on oil fouled plastic also. Keep it away from your polished aluminum it will stain.

Are you referring to the tire cleaner? Just want to make sure I get the right stuff if I need to buy something..

The rest of the stuff I have.. Brake cleaner, WD 40, starting fluid, carb and choke cleaner, etc.. The list goes on.. When using any of this stuff, is there a method that anyone recommends?? Soaking?? Just spray and scrub??

After I have cleaned the best I can, whats the best way to clean?? dunk in water?? Hot or cold??

 

[Bturton]

Try soaking in a Pinesol solution. It has brightened up aluminum for me in the past.


Turts, typing on Tapatalk

 

[TRS]

Are you referring to the tire cleaner? Just want to make sure I get the right stuff if I need to buy something..

The rest of the stuff I have.. Brake cleaner, WD 40, starting fluid, carb and choke cleaner, etc.. The list goes on.. When using any of this stuff, is there a method that anyone recommends?? Soaking?? Just spray and scrub??

After I have cleaned the best I can, whats the best way to clean?? dunk in water?? Hot or cold??

Yes sir, the tire/wheel cleaner.

 

[yz400ex]

Try soaking in a Pinesol solution. It has brightened up aluminum for me in the past.


Turts, typing on Tapatalk

I did read a little about this also.. has anyone else tried it? Safe for nikasil?

I want to make sure that these don't come out looking worse than I started..

 

[IQRIDR]

muriatic acid

 

[meathooker]

ive used brake cleaner in the past with a compressed air nozzle to blow the debris off. imo wiping off a cast surface is a loosing battle

 

[adam8781]

diesel in a bucket with assortment of wire brushes, red scuff pads. steel wool etc.

 

[Snowmow]

CRC mass air flow sensor cleaner. It's $7 a can but works so fast you don't use a lot. It's unreal what this stuff takes off, doesn't leave a residue and drys almost instantly. I never leave a auto parts store without grabbing a can.

 

[winter brew]

Chrome wheel spray cleaner...wet it first, spray it, scrub the nastier areas with a brush and hose off before it dries. Keep it off paint but it wont hurt the plastic. Works great on clutches too, shinier than new! Don't use it on any clear coated aluminum.

 

[04proxr800]

Just keep spraying it with wd40, let it sit over night spray it again! Works well,

 

[lorne1176]

Brake clean hands down best bet for cleaning anything for stains or in general, can't go wrong.

 

[pulltype_polaris]

Foaming oven cleaner works awesome. Just try soaking for 5-10 mins at a time cause if left on too long itll turn aluminum black. I use it on intakes and valve covers on my ford engines all the time. Best ive found to work on aluminum because it lift the dirt out of the casting.