Cleaning the grime?

[nicktheviking]

I'm finding it increasingly difficult to inspect suspension/brake components and even some engine bay components due to the uncanny amount of grime. I am not kidding, there is at least .5 inches of filth covering the bottom of the car and almost the entire front and rear suspension.

I was considering buying a can of GUNK Engine Brite and going to town on the underside of my car and the suspension/engine bay. Obviously I would wrap a plastic bag over the distributor and spark plugs. Is it a bad idea to do this to a 28 year old car? Do I run the risk of disintegrating old rubber parts?

[So Cal Mark]

it's a good idea; oil and grease cause the rubber to deteriorate

[ga.spyder]

That was the first thing I did after getting the car home.I used Simple Green degreaser and the water hose at home(not high pressure!).I covered the dizzy and my throttle body intake.I did remove the airbox/sensor /hose assembly, and cleaned them off the car.Worked out great.
Craig
ps... Nick you need to pm rlux4 or scroll down to ''Fiat Spider Events'' The SoCal guys are looking for you and are offering to check out your car this weekend! Make a list and bring beer.

[TulsaSpider]

I used purple power and a detail brush, it's fantastic stuff! and take your time for amazing results!

[mbouse]

just make sure the engine is cold when you throw water around in the engine bay.

[nicktheviking]

I used a whole can of GUNK. Much better! I can actually make out the suspension components.

[spiderrey]

ive tried everything. i always go back to simple green. and i clean alot of motors. one other thing worked even better. heavy duty 409, but they dont make it anymore. good luck.

[mdrburchette]

Greased Lightning is the best I've found. In fact, I buy it in 5 gallon buckets and use it in the house as well as in the shop. It can be found in grocery stores here in the southeast, but can be found at Lowe's or Home Depot on the left coast.

[spiderrey]

o k burchet, ill try it this weekend.

[baltobernie]

Also effective (and available at Home Depot) is a cleaner made from by-products of fruit oranges. Look in cleaning products section; the stuff is orange in color. Almost as effective as the purple stuff (Castrol Super Clean, for example), but won't harm you or your asphalt driveway. Super Clean removes everything, including human skin.

[pope]

Go to the $1.00 Spray wash and lay on the ground and blast the area with the wand. It will all come off and the Simple Green's and Lightenings work much better that way.

[spiderrey]

how bout i just go in the back yard and fire up the honda powered pressure washer, and blast away. i find that saves alot of quarters.