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Icky, greasy, ugly engine compartment
- Thread starter jaybird
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OP
jaybird
Yoda
Offline
It sucks Jerry. Basically.
I worked on it yesterday in the garage, weather here hasn't been conducive to doing anything outside. I'm hoping the rain stops tomorrow so that I can get it outside and tackle it. I'm going to work on it here first, before I try the carwash. I'm a little nervous about the high pressure spray.
Simple Green and a scrub brush didn't phase much of anything except the polish on my fingernails though. And since the 2 local detailing businesses (one thought an MGB was a motorcycle and the other won't clean engines) aren't a consideration any more, I'm pretty much on my own.
Unless some of you gentlemen would like to come help a damsel in distress? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/devilgrin.gif
I worked on it yesterday in the garage, weather here hasn't been conducive to doing anything outside. I'm hoping the rain stops tomorrow so that I can get it outside and tackle it. I'm going to work on it here first, before I try the carwash. I'm a little nervous about the high pressure spray.
Simple Green and a scrub brush didn't phase much of anything except the polish on my fingernails though. And since the 2 local detailing businesses (one thought an MGB was a motorcycle and the other won't clean engines) aren't a consideration any more, I'm pretty much on my own.
Unless some of you gentlemen would like to come help a damsel in distress? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/devilgrin.gif
jerryrosa
Jedi Trainee
Offline
Oy! Sorry to hear it!
I'd come help,..but I'm,..um,..busy. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/angel.gif
I'd still consider the guys who thought an MG was a bike,..just cause they've never heard of the car, doesn't mean they won't do a good job cleaning it. Only the owner of the bodyshop doing my work knew what the car was,..but they're doing a fine job. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Jerry
I'd come help,..but I'm,..um,..busy. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/angel.gif
I'd still consider the guys who thought an MG was a bike,..just cause they've never heard of the car, doesn't mean they won't do a good job cleaning it. Only the owner of the bodyshop doing my work knew what the car was,..but they're doing a fine job. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Jerry
Hello Jaybird,
Sorry I didn't chime in earlier but there has been so much advice here I am not sure that you'd have noticed. Anyway, I worked on my 69 B last year trying to do much the same as you are except most of the grease/oil/dirt/gunk was on the underside of the car...It was a total nightmare and I got about 1/2 of the junk off the car while making my driveway an oily greasy mess. I was also aching for days afterwards.
If I were you, I'd take it a little at a time or maybe go the contracting-out route. One advantage of doing it yourself though is that, while you do it, you can do a detailed visual on anything and everything that might need work/repair.
By the way, I used something like simple green (krud kleener) and gunk and a 1300psi pressure washer hooked up to a hot water supply, brushes, rags, etc. etc. What happens, to a large degree, is that the pressure washer splashes the gunk off in all directions where it reapplies itself. This process goes on and on and on until eventually the junk ends up somewhere else (the driveway, on rags, shoe soles, clothes, etc.).
So, I hope that this message helps...good luck.
Sorry I didn't chime in earlier but there has been so much advice here I am not sure that you'd have noticed. Anyway, I worked on my 69 B last year trying to do much the same as you are except most of the grease/oil/dirt/gunk was on the underside of the car...It was a total nightmare and I got about 1/2 of the junk off the car while making my driveway an oily greasy mess. I was also aching for days afterwards.
If I were you, I'd take it a little at a time or maybe go the contracting-out route. One advantage of doing it yourself though is that, while you do it, you can do a detailed visual on anything and everything that might need work/repair.
By the way, I used something like simple green (krud kleener) and gunk and a 1300psi pressure washer hooked up to a hot water supply, brushes, rags, etc. etc. What happens, to a large degree, is that the pressure washer splashes the gunk off in all directions where it reapplies itself. This process goes on and on and on until eventually the junk ends up somewhere else (the driveway, on rags, shoe soles, clothes, etc.).
So, I hope that this message helps...good luck.
OP
jaybird
Yoda
Offline
Ahhh. Finally. Got ahold of the guy uptown that has the market on detailing etc. here. Will do the engine for $20. I expressed concerns about the electricals and he said, yes that is a concern and he would cover everything he could and try to (try being the operative word) keep the water off. Said would take probably half an hour.
I'm thinking I'm not wasting my time and money and nails for $20. I'm taking the B up to him tomorrow. If it gets wet, can sit in his garage overnight and dry out, right?
I'm thinking I'm not wasting my time and money and nails for $20. I'm taking the B up to him tomorrow. If it gets wet, can sit in his garage overnight and dry out, right?
Joe Reed
Jedi Warrior
Offline
$20 is a good deal! You'll spend more than that on chemicals doing it yourself. Sounds like he knows what he's doing, so you'll probably still be able to drive it home....but take a can of WD40 with you just in case. If it doesn't fire, it's probably just moisture in the distributor. Pop the cap off, and hose the inside with the WD40 to clear out the water and you should be good to go....
78MGB
Jedi Hopeful
Offline
jaybird,
Now, MOM!!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/lol.gif
Of course, how many of would us NOT stay? I would probably be just behind the guy while he did his magic./ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif For $20 you cannot afford NOT to let the pro do it. It would be neat if you could share before and after pix with us.
Now, MOM!!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/lol.gif
Of course, how many of would us NOT stay? I would probably be just behind the guy while he did his magic./ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif For $20 you cannot afford NOT to let the pro do it. It would be neat if you could share before and after pix with us.
John Moore
Luke Skywalker
Offline
I guess since we haven't heard from her, the kid got water in the dizzy and she's been stuck at the detailers! lol!
bugimike
Yoda
Offline
Just a suggestion, but if there are any really yucky, oily, greasy areas a careful spray-down these spots with an aerosol can of brake-cleaner. It is very effective at breaking up the crud in order to ease clean-up. You won't even have to pressure clean,just a spritz with a gardenhose will remove the stuff quite well alowing a wipe-up, clean and dry. Old paint may be affected so try an inconspicuous spot first!
John Moore
Luke Skywalker
Offline
I dunno Mike, if there is any exposed bare metal, brake cleaner would cause it to flash rust.
I just got one of those Shark stean cleaning outfits, as seen on late night TV. It is great for crud cleaning! Just add a little water, plug it in and in 15 minutes you can pull the trigger and have a small jet of steam ;-) Squirt a little Marine Clean (or other grease solvent) onto crud, let soak for a few minutes, and the hit it with a shot of steam and rinse it.
It is really good with platic items (tubes and wires etc)raw steel (brake or gas lines) and makes the original blue haness tape look like new!
Bruce
It is really good with platic items (tubes and wires etc)raw steel (brake or gas lines) and makes the original blue haness tape look like new!
Bruce
Offline
I have used a product named Precision Clean. I'll have to find the manufacturer, but it's supplied to industrial users for cleaning lathes and tooling. Won't remove heavy, encrusted areas but will soften them up enough to work them with a brush, then you follow up with the product and it works a treat.....won't affect exposed metal either.