I have been detailing cars for a long time but I have never used Simple Green for the engine compartment. I keep reading about how great it works here on the forum but I'm curious as to whether or not it will harm/stain aluminum parts like the valve cover. I bought some the other day just to try but I thought I would check here before I go plastering my entire engine bay with it. Thanks to anyone who has used it and can say yay or nay.
Simple Green & Aluminum??
- Thread starter Moonman8
- Start date
I'm familiar with several industrial-grade not sold in stores types of degreasers and cleansers but I haven't found one that is safe for aluminum.
I was just wondering if Simple Green is safe for aluminum because I already have a bottle of it, just haven't found time to go to town on my engine.
I was just wondering if Simple Green is safe for aluminum because I already have a bottle of it, just haven't found time to go to town on my engine.
Sub for answer ... I've literally got a gallon of it in my garage. I bought it originally to de-funk a Suzuki drag bike that I bought that had been sitting awhile. It was made almost entirely of aluminum and I don't recall any issues, but I have yet to use it under my hood(s) ... and I've got lots of aluminum. Ahh crap let me just walk out there and look on the label.
Bala de Plata said:
Working with industrial "Professional Use Only" crap all day, I guess I'm not in the habit of reading labels (outside of the health, flammability, corrosion, etc. warning labels on the 5-gallon drums of chemicals we buy every week). I should have just read the damn label (I know brain-fart, no need to kick a man when he's already down). Thanks Bala.
Mr Detailer
Member
- :
- 99 Protege LX 5spd
Simple Green has always stained aluminum in my experience, but I was using it at either full-strength or 5:1 ratio.
If it does stain, you can use a metal polish to remove the staining. But that's a PITA if you're looking at small metal pieces, or secluded pieces.
If it does stain, you can use a metal polish to remove the staining. But that's a PITA if you're looking at small metal pieces, or secluded pieces.
- :
- MP5T / 944
Moonman8 said:
Cut It With Water and Dont let it sit for long.
do NOT use caustics (sodium based cleaners) ON ALUMINUM!!!
You should use a mild acidic such as Lazy Mans Aluminum Polish (with the rabbit on it) or get NAPA aluminum wheel cleaner and dilute it about 1/1 with water. It will NOT stain the aluminum and bring back the luster.
Just fyi, I used a sodium hydroxide (lye) based solution to acid port aluminum intakes and heads and it eats that stuff like none other, it fully ate about 1mm of material out of the runners in a matter of an hour or so and stains the hell out of it...
But, I use NAPA wheel brite to destain it and to neutralize the remaining caustic.
You should use a mild acidic such as Lazy Mans Aluminum Polish (with the rabbit on it) or get NAPA aluminum wheel cleaner and dilute it about 1/1 with water. It will NOT stain the aluminum and bring back the luster.
Just fyi, I used a sodium hydroxide (lye) based solution to acid port aluminum intakes and heads and it eats that stuff like none other, it fully ate about 1mm of material out of the runners in a matter of an hour or so and stains the hell out of it...
But, I use NAPA wheel brite to destain it and to neutralize the remaining caustic.
Last edited:
great info guys.
I tried the Simple Green today and diluted the hell out of it. It was barely green after I added the water. I let it sit for about 3-4 minutes. It may have been the heavy dilution but it didn't clean the heavy spots that well. Cleaned the black hoses and plastic pieces really well though. I'll try something else we have at the shop but from there it's toothbrush time!!
Thanks to all who replied.
I tried the Simple Green today and diluted the hell out of it. It was barely green after I added the water. I let it sit for about 3-4 minutes. It may have been the heavy dilution but it didn't clean the heavy spots that well. Cleaned the black hoses and plastic pieces really well though. I'll try something else we have at the shop but from there it's toothbrush time!!
Thanks to all who replied.
