removing grease

[tcalvin48]

Gave a quick look and didn’t find any recommendations so I’ll ask. After years of lubing FEL and backhoe I have a lot of grease build up. I would like to clean it up a bit but not sure what to use as a cleaner. I’m afraid lacquer thinner might hurt the paint and don’t want to try it without hearing it would be okay to use. Looking for suggestions, how do you clean the grease build up from around fittings?
Tom Stoltz
in Maine

 

[Scm]

I use my power washer and grease it up right after.
Be careful it takes those cheep labels off too.

I'll wait for some replies to find out if I'm doing it wrong.

 

[L35]

I use an old tube sock or rag soaked in diesel fuel. Wear disposable gloves!

 

[Tughill Tom]

Just finished cleaning up mine this Moring. I use a bit of diesel on an old paint brush, rubber gloves, a really thin long screwdriver and lots of rags. Took me about 2 hrs to clean and regrease.

 

[PoTreeBoy]

No lacquer thinner. I've used B52, it works well but it'll kill the grass where you rinse it off.

 

[tcalvin48]

Diesel fuel, great, thanks. I have some old kerosene I need to get rid of, I’ll use that… basically diesel I guess. Unless you think it might leave a film.

Tom Stoltz
in Maine

 

[fried1765]

Gave a quick look and didn’t find any recommendations so I’ll ask. After years of lubing FEL and backhoe I have a lot of grease build up. I would like to clean it up a bit but not sure what to use as a cleaner. I’m afraid lacquer thinner might hurt the paint and don’t want to try it without hearing it would be okay to use. Looking for suggestions, how do you clean the grease build up from around fittings?
Tom Stoltz
in Maine

ABSOLUTELY NO LAQUER THINNER!
Lacquer thinner WILL remove your lovely orange paint,....... as well as the grease.
Diesel fuel or kerosene, are best used.
A HOT pressure washer is also good, but is NOT good with cold water.
Cold water wash simply spreads the grease around, to other areas on your tractor.

 

[Russell King]

You might need to use a “putty knife” to get the clods of grease off. I would use a plastic one first to avoid scratching the paint.

 

[D2Cat]

I thought we were suppose to leave all grease buildup in place and let harden. After years of build up just paint over it. That's what I see at auctions all the time.

 

[RCW]

I thought we were suppose to leave all grease buildup in place and let harden. After years of build up just paint over it. That's what I see at auctions all the time.

Sounds foolish, but I'd rather see extra grease on equipment, than a lack of it.

Same with equipment that's obviously been pressure washed before a sale.

That said, I've given up coffee. So all I buy at an auction is a hot dog anymore...

I greased the loader on my BX today. Was thinking about this thread.

I cleaned some of the extra grease off, but not too much....

 

[D2Cat]

Sounds foolish, but I'd rather see extra grease on equipment, than a lack of it.

Same with equipment that's obviously been pressure washed before a sale.

That said, I've given up coffee. So all I buy at an auction is a hot dog anymore...

I greased the loader on my BX today. Was thinking about this thread.

I cleaned some of the extra grease off, but not too much....

Hey, the coffee if better for you then the hotdog!!

 

[bbxlr8]

I use decent paper towels, both dry, then add Simple Green / purple cleaner as needed. Sometimes old rags, which I then toss. In my experience, Simple Green will generally not mess up your paint or lawn if it runs off

 

[Speed25]

I've got gallon cans of WD-40 from previous projects and I'll just soak a paper towel or rag, and wipe up excess grease. Afterwards, I'll do a normal greasing of fittings.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Zep Orange cleaner

 

[whitetiger]

Zep Orange cleaner

That stuff is amazing!!

 

[6feettogo]

Zep Orange cleaner

I agree.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

The zep purple cleaner is really good too, but hard on painted surfaces and aluminum and skin.
So I only use that on steel parts with gloves.

 

[RCW]

The zep purple cleaner is really good too, but hard on painted surfaces and aluminum and skin.
So I only use that on steel parts with gloves.

Yes, the Zep purple is good stuff. It has it's limitations as you mention.

I've used it quite a lot but need to thoroughly rinse when done to avoid paint issues.

 

[686970]

The paint on my hood is faded from diesel fuel.

 

[fried1765]

The paint on my hood is faded from diesel fuel.

That only happens when diesel fuel is spilled, and not promptly cleaned off.
Same happens when gasoline is spilled on car paint.