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Speedwell Bonnet and Oil Removal

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apbos

apbos

Jedi Knight
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Many of you might remember my B/E project and the problems I had with the original bonnet.
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After blasting and removal of some lead patch work the top of the bonnet and the valence were toast. I found another bonnet locally, but it will take time to take out the dents. I recently finished rebuilding the 948 and now the push is on to get a driver. So I found this last week
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It is Monza bonnet made in the early 90's. No stress cracks and in good shape for being on a race car. Today I sanded the topside getting it ready for primer. However the bottom of the bonnet is coated with oil (I think that is what ended the race car's life). What should I use to remove it without damaging the fiberglass?

Thanks
Paul
 
Go to the parts house and get the purple or green stuff, also high dosage of DAWN soap detergent works great
 
Quick reply. Tried the green stuff, I think it might be too green for this oily mess.
 
Maybe some of that engine spray cleaner, (The fiberglass is sealed with paint?)
Laquar Thinner will cut grease fast. but be careful not to get surface to hot with chemicals. it may probably, will discolor finish. I would probably try Bleach and a tire brush first then proceed to motor degreaser then laquar.

Are you sure it is oil and not some sort of Parifin. If it is Mobil One good luck
 
The bonnet has never been painted. It has a black gel coat. I like the comet/bleach idea and will give it a try with a good stiff brush. At least this way I will not have to worry about killing the grass.
 
There's always kerosene. Smelly, but effective on grease. Will not hurt the fiberglass. Also, the Dawn foaming cleaner in the pump bottle is about 10 times stronger than regular dawn and works well when scrubbed using a brush.
 
Otherwise call a local boatworks, got to be something gets the oil out of the bilges.
 
All good ideas guys.
Thank you!
 
:spam: X2 on the Dawn dish soap. Lots of it. Works surprisingly well, that's why they use gallons of it on oil spill w ildlife...
999.9 out of 1000 seagulls approve :thumbsup:
 
apbos said:
What should I use to remove it without damaging the fiberglass?

Thanks
Paul
Click to expand...

Paul,

Any automotive paint supply will have a special paint prep degreaser that should be used before painting anything, even if it wasn't coated with oil. Should be good for everything fingerprints to your "oily" circumstance. I never paint anything without wiping it down with this.
 
Gasoline and a large paint bursh. Put your cig out first.

This is an old school solution. I know, keep an eye out for the tree hugers.
 
While the gasoline is technically a great solvent, it is just too dangerous. As someone who investigates accidents for a living,gasoline is just too flamable, even a water heater pilot make a great match! As an alternative, use kerosene. It will not explode, but use it also in a very well ventilated area.
Scott in CA
 
I used break-cleaner on the inside of my bonnet, and finished it up with soap, water and a brush. Didn't de-solve the fibreglass, might depend on which brake cleaner you use though.
 
My vote is for "Emulsified Kerosene", Liquid dish soap with brush, and a cheap pressure washer. Worked well on my fiberglass fender rebuild. Had a 2 piece fender on my Spridget from a racing "incident" last October. Spray the piece/part down with the Emulsified Kerosene (aka: Gunk), let sit for 15 minutes of so in the sun if you've got it, use hot water with plenty of dish liquid and the brush to scrub the surface. Then blast with hot water from the cheapy pressure washer hooked up to your drain line from the hot water heater. The cheapy pressure washers are usually 1200 or so PSI. On fan spray and about 12" away, does a good job cleaning without disturbing the surface. Use a high quality hose to connect from hot water heater to the pressure washer. Cheap $100 pressure washers work great using 120-135 degree water. Naturally, there are all sorts of warnings on the liability paper work in the box, but I've been doing this for 10+ years. Just don't leave the hose pressurized or the washer out in the cold below 32 degrees. Lost them to freezing rather than the hot water. Gas powered pressure washers have a thermal relief and most new big box store ones won't work on hot water. Cheap hoses will eventually burst if left pressurized. Kind of stinky too. Do this close to somewhere you can wash down with soap, a push brush and plenty of water. Orange or sour apple scented soap makes everything nice again. I've got a "dented-sale" mobile home water heater I bought for $50 at the shop dedicated for rag washing, engine bay washing and such. Got a dedicated washer at the shop for the rags. Keep the home life calm. $75-100 buys them at the thrift stores.

"Tech" brake cleaner from Wally World is very much a solvent on fiberglass. Melts the resin if left on too long. Pyroil's brand is not so bad.

HTH,
Mike Miller
 
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Cleaned and in Primer. Thanks Guys!
 
but it's inside out
 
LOL JP
 
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