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lljjmm
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« on: March 21, 2015, 04:42:52 PM » |
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Need a good easy to use engine cleaner, any recommendations? Thanks for any input
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Bighead
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« Reply #1 on: March 21, 2015, 04:54:13 PM » |
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Simple green.
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1997 Bumble Bee
1999 Interstate (sold)
2016 Wing
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dpcarson
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« Reply #2 on: March 21, 2015, 05:22:03 PM » |
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Easy off oven cleaner
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"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" In war, there are no unwounded soldiers.  |
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Jess from VA
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« Reply #3 on: March 21, 2015, 06:07:06 PM » |
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S100 or mag wheel sprays, are mildly corrosive (wear nitrile gloves), sprayed and stiff bristle brushed/scrubbed on the bottom and low sides, engine, and wheels/brakes, and rinsed very well before dry does a nice job (on a cold bike). I always follow up with hot soapy scrub, because corrosives can etch aluminum permanently if you don't get it all off. You can also just use any auto parts engine degreaser, but it leaves a bigger mess. Never do the whole bike, so nothing dries. Do it in sections, and keep it wet. When done, wash the whole bike.   |
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salty1
Member
Posts: 2359
"Flyka"
Spokane, WA or Tucson, AZ
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« Reply #4 on: March 21, 2015, 06:09:22 PM » |
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Simple green.
Works great!  Be sure to blow dry when finished with the rinse. |
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My rides: 1998 GL1500C, 2000 GL 1500CF,2006 GL 1800 3A   |
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Chrisj CMA
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« Reply #5 on: March 21, 2015, 06:11:16 PM » |
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Simple green.
Not Simple Green....MEAN GREEN from the dollar store. Simple green is harsh on aluminum Its the only thing I use   |
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« Last Edit: March 21, 2015, 06:15:54 PM by Chrisj CMA »
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Gideon
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« Reply #6 on: March 21, 2015, 07:10:34 PM » |
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 S100 or Mag Wheel Spray. Both work great.
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But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31
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da prez
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« Reply #7 on: March 21, 2015, 08:39:31 PM » |
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Ditto on the Mean Green. Also ,Dawn liquid dish soap diluted 50/50. Spray on heavy and let it soak or even dry . Spray again and rinse off . Works wonders.
da prez
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gordonv
Member
Posts: 5763
VRCC # 31419
Richmond BC
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« Reply #8 on: March 21, 2015, 09:31:46 PM » |
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Because I've had a bad experience with the alkali degreasers and aluminum mags, I would use soap (dish washing liquid) and water with a brush of your choice (paint, soft or med bristles).
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1999 Black with custom paint IS   |
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PharmBoy
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« Reply #9 on: March 22, 2015, 05:45:55 AM » |
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Krud Kutter Parts Washer is one that I recently discovered and I'm totally sold on it. There are several kinds of "Krud Kutter", but the "Parts Washer" is non-flammable, non-irritating to skin, and leaves metal parts clean and shining after applying with a brush. It cleans brake calipers better than brake cleaners. It is the one with a gray label and is available at Home Depot, Tractor supply, and some Wall-Mart stores. It is about $14/gal and a gallon goes a long way...Jim
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A politician is a fellow who will lay down your life for his country. ~Texas Guinan
4th Infantry Tet Vet
99 Interstate
97 Bumble Bee
97 Red & White
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dpcarson
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« Reply #10 on: March 22, 2015, 05:47:51 AM » |
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This thread has inspired me. I think I am going to go outside and wash the bikes, If I can get the leaf blower to crank that is.
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"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" In war, there are no unwounded soldiers. |
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PharmBoy
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« Reply #11 on: March 22, 2015, 06:05:08 AM » |
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It's raining here, so maybe I should just roll mine outside...Jim  |
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A politician is a fellow who will lay down your life for his country. ~Texas Guinan
4th Infantry Tet Vet
99 Interstate
97 Bumble Bee
97 Red & White
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Attic Rat
Member
Posts: 446
VRCC # 1962
Tulsa, OK
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« Reply #12 on: March 22, 2015, 06:53:30 AM » |
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Krud Kutter parts cleaner gray label you can buy it at tractor supply for about 13.00 per gal. It will not hurt aluminum or paint. I like to use the regular red label that you can buy at home depot to clean the shop floor. I just spray it on brush it a little and then let it set for about 10 minutes then spay in on again and brush it. Then just wipe it off or rinse with water either way cleans great
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The Attic Rat Performance Works
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Bighead
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« Reply #13 on: March 22, 2015, 07:14:30 AM » |
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Simple green.
Not Simple Green....MEAN GREEN from the dollar store. Simple green is harsh on aluminum Its the only thing I use Been using simple green for about 20 yrs with ZERO adverse effect. |
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1997 Bumble Bee
1999 Interstate (sold)
2016 Wing
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Bone
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« Reply #14 on: March 22, 2015, 08:17:59 AM » |
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On the back of the Mean Green 40 FL.OZ. bottle: Not Recommended for use on glass, aluminum, chrome alloy wheels, varnished or painted surfaces.
Bought this a year or two ago haven't used it fearing the label.
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Hook#3287
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« Reply #15 on: March 22, 2015, 08:40:24 AM » |
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On the back of the Mean Green 40 FL.OZ. bottle: Not Recommended for use on glass, aluminum, chrome alloy wheels, varnished or painted surfaces.
Bought this a year or two ago haven't used it fearing the label.
Just by looking at Chris's bike I'd say that is just a disclaimer for future possible litigation. Not to many bikes look as good as his. |
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Bone
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« Reply #16 on: March 22, 2015, 08:48:07 AM » |
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Oh I agree if mine looked like Chris's I'd be afraid to ride in my climate.
Guess I should just look at their warning as a legal precaution of the seller.
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Bighead
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« Reply #17 on: March 22, 2015, 08:55:23 AM » |
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On the back of the Mean Green 40 FL.OZ. bottle: Not Recommended for use on glass, aluminum, chrome alloy wheels, varnished or painted surfaces.
Bought this a year or two ago haven't used it fearing the label.
Read the label on simple green it says it is non toxic, bio degradable and safe for most anything you can imagine. All it says is don't clean Hot parts with it. |
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1997 Bumble Bee
1999 Interstate (sold)
2016 Wing
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Bone
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« Reply #18 on: March 22, 2015, 09:13:15 AM » |
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The spray bottle I have of Simple Green doesn't have that warning but does have the Good House Keeping seal.
Says it's safe to use for general cleaning.
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Bighead
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« Reply #19 on: March 22, 2015, 09:19:18 AM » |
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The bottle I have is Automotive.
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1997 Bumble Bee
1999 Interstate (sold)
2016 Wing
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Jess from VA
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« Reply #20 on: March 22, 2015, 09:46:12 AM » |
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My only addition to this is..... If you want something to do a bunch of the work for you (I do), mild corrosives do that (esp if the bike is really greasy and grimy to start with). If you are worried about mild corrosives (and your bike is really pretty clean anyway), then just use soap and work harder than you need to.
Nothing cleans up my brake calipers like mild corrosives, except when I have them apart I use gun cleaning bore solvent (Shooter's Choice is best, or Hoppe's) and pistol rods and stainless and brass brushes. Does not adversely affect the pads either.
Regular brake cleaner is a waste of time, and really only good for blowing crud which is already loose off the parts being cleaned (and into your eyes).
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Farther
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« Reply #21 on: March 22, 2015, 01:06:43 PM » |
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My bike seems to get and stay dirty because when it is nice enough to wash the bike it is nice enough to ride. Guess which wins!! When I do wash the bike it is with car washing soap and cold water from the garden hose. Finish up with Lemon Pledge on everything from leather to exhaust to windshield to engine.
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Thanks,
~Farther
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gordonv
Member
Posts: 5763
VRCC # 31419
Richmond BC
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« Reply #22 on: March 22, 2015, 02:36:08 PM » |
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Krud Kutter Parts Washer is one that I recently discovered and I'm totally sold on it. There are several kinds of "Krud Kutter", but the "Parts Washer" is non-flammable, non-irritating to skin, and leaves metal parts clean and shining after applying with a brush. It cleans brake calipers better than brake cleaners. It is the one with a gray label and is available at Home Depot, Tractor supply, and some Wall-Mart stores. It is about $14/gal and a gallon goes a long way...Jim
I looked it up on HD web site, but no grey label. 4 @ $15 and one @ $21 saying Spray Gun and Parts Cleaner I did look up WalMart. Found it for $17+ |
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« Last Edit: March 22, 2015, 08:17:30 PM by gordonv »
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1999 Black with custom paint IS |
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dpcarson
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« Reply #23 on: March 22, 2015, 05:36:14 PM » |
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Other thing I have used that works really nice, Mr. Clean lemon scent cleaner. Works great and leaves a nice shine. By the way, this stuff is also awesome on jewelry and removing the skin oils and is very mild on jewelry.
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"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" In war, there are no unwounded soldiers. |
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Pappy!
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« Reply #24 on: March 22, 2015, 05:41:03 PM » |
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For something like the greasy underside of an engine I use the standard Gunk Engine degreaser. Works extremely well. That Krud Kutter is something I think I will look into though.
For almost all normal dirt and grime I use the mildest detergent I think will work. Several various brushes to go with it. Leaf Blower to dry it off and Pledge or whatever you choose to finish it off with.
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Jess from VA
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« Reply #25 on: March 22, 2015, 07:55:58 PM » |
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Mr. Clean lemon scent cleaner
DP, I don't know about down your way, but up here in Spring time, it can be some real excitement using anything lemony. Had the yellow jackets after me the last two years. I wiped them out each time (after the little peckerwoods sandbagged me), at least on my property, but they are never gone. Using lemon pledge in my back yard is like some kind of homing signal. One or two show up fairly docile, and shortly thereafter the extended family shows up like jihadis.
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Bighead
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« Reply #26 on: March 22, 2015, 08:59:20 PM » |
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1997 Bumble Bee
1999 Interstate (sold)
2016 Wing
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dpcarson
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« Reply #27 on: March 23, 2015, 03:07:46 AM » |
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Your just laughing because all th e bees are scared of your bike! Like the Incredible Hulk of bees!! |
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"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" In war, there are no unwounded soldiers. |
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98valk
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« Reply #28 on: March 23, 2015, 07:57:03 AM » |
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simple green will turn aluminum dark if soaked in it for hrs. it is really a problem for higher grade aluminums.
their degreaser formula is even more caustic to aluminum than their everyday formula.
now this is how it was 7+ yrs ago, don't know if they changed it.
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1998 Std/Tourer, 2007 DR200SE, 1981 CB900C 10speed
1973 Duster 340 4-speed rare A/C, 2001 F250 4x4 7.3L, 6sp
"Our Constitution was made only for a Moral and Religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the goverment of any other."
John Adams 10/11/1798
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Bighead
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« Reply #29 on: March 23, 2015, 09:30:22 AM » |
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simple green will turn aluminum dark if soaked in it for hrs. it is really a problem for higher grade aluminums.
their degreaser formula is even more caustic to aluminum than their everyday formula.
now this is how it was 7+ yrs ago, don't know if they changed it.
Why would one soak anything for hours? And as I stated 20 yrs with ZERO problems. |
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1997 Bumble Bee
1999 Interstate (sold)
2016 Wing
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98valk
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« Reply #30 on: March 23, 2015, 11:31:02 AM » |
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simple green will turn aluminum dark if soaked in it for hrs. it is really a problem for higher grade aluminums.
their degreaser formula is even more caustic to aluminum than their everyday formula.
now this is how it was 7+ yrs ago, don't know if they changed it.
Why would one soak anything for hours? And as I stated 20 yrs with ZERO problems. WOW! wasn't contradicting your no "ZERO" problems in 20 yrs. was only stating facts about simple green. search why the army and air force have prohibited its use on certain materials esp. high grade strength aluminums. why do u think people would soak a really dirty, greasy part if it says degreaser? U mean to tell me u never soaked any kind of parts ever? |
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1998 Std/Tourer, 2007 DR200SE, 1981 CB900C 10speed
1973 Duster 340 4-speed rare A/C, 2001 F250 4x4 7.3L, 6sp
"Our Constitution was made only for a Moral and Religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the goverment of any other."
John Adams 10/11/1798
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CoachDoc
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« Reply #31 on: March 23, 2015, 04:25:13 PM » |
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simple green will turn aluminum dark if soaked in it for hrs. it is really a problem for higher grade aluminums.
their degreaser formula is even more caustic to aluminum than their everyday formula.
now this is how it was 7+ yrs ago, don't know if they changed it.
Why would one soak anything for hours? And as I stated 20 yrs with ZERO problems. Lots of guys use Simple Green as a carb cleaner. Works great, especially with an ultrasonic cleaner, but I have seen the aluminum body carbs from vintage Honda SOHC Fours turn dark if immersed too long in the Simple Green solution. When just used as a cleaner I've never had a problem with my bikes and I use it all the time. |
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CoachDoc
'97 Valkyrie Standard
'05 Goldwing
'74 CB550K
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Bighead
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« Reply #32 on: March 23, 2015, 07:31:08 PM » |
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simple green will turn aluminum dark if soaked in it for hrs. it is really a problem for higher grade aluminums.
their degreaser formula is even more caustic to aluminum than their everyday formula.
now this is how it was 7+ yrs ago, don't know if they changed it.
Why would one soak anything for hours? And as I stated 20 yrs with ZERO problems. WOW! wasn't contradicting your no "ZERO" problems in 20 yrs. was only stating facts about simple green. search why the army and air force have prohibited its use on certain materials esp. high grade strength aluminums. why do u think people would soak a really dirty, greasy part if it says degreaser? U mean to tell me u never soaked any kind of parts ever? What's the wow about? I was just inquiring. And yes I can honestly tell you that I have never shake and parts other than internal engine parts. |
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1997 Bumble Bee
1999 Interstate (sold)
2016 Wing
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