Degreasing

[TomS]

Before I paint my frame, I need to clean it up and remove the oil I used to lubricate my drill bit when cutting the bolt holes. Any recommendations. I have some acetone. Will that work?

[Geron]

Goo Off or Goo Gone from Wally world or HD. Probably safer than Acetone. You can even get the water base instead of petroleum base. Does a good job cleaning up most things. Maybe??

Dawn dish detergent?? It saves the ducks

Geron

[Bill_Storey]

Dawn dish wash soap, spray carbuerator cleaner, alcohol, or go to an automotive paint dealer and get wax and grease remover.

[ceebe]

I've always used Tide in a bucket of hot water.

[madjack]

...remember, before painting raw steel to wash the whole thing down...I prefer using lacquer thinner and a handfull of rags. After cleaning, use a scuff pad on all raw steel and wipe down with a dry cloth or just blow it off. Some acid etch primer and about 3 coats of industrial balck and ther ya go
madjack

[doug hodder]

I use lacquer thinner to clean the frame on raw steel prior to painting. It's cheaper than acetone, not nearly as tough on your body. Paint thinner isn't as "hot" as lacquer thinner and doesn't cut the oil as quickly and will not cut it as well. In fact, prior to cutting any material, I wipe it all down as it's easier to do while in full sticks, but you gotta keep them out of the humidity as they will rust fairly quickly. Just my opinion. Doug Hodder

[asianflava]

Dawn will probably work out since, "it cuts the grease" as the ads say. We used to use lacquer thinner but that was (like Doug said) on raw unpainted metal. It may melt your paint (depending on what kind it is) and make a big mess. Maybe you can try a test spot, or you may not care what it will look like since you are painting it.

Another product we used was an R-M product called prekleeno. It was specifically made to remove waxes and mold release. I looked at the ingredients and it said that it was Aliphatic Naptha and Alcohol. You can get Naptha at the Depot.

[SteveH]

There is a product you can buy at a NAPA store called Final Wash. It is used as a degreaser/ wax remover. Automotive painters use it to wash down a car right before painting and will remove all grease, even hand print grease, and all wax including silicone. I use it on all painted surfaces before repainting.

[AmyH]

Ya know, I tried using Dawn dish liquid to clean up the raw steel for my frame, figuring it was better for the environment, but I ended up having to switch to something a little more powerful. Dawn takes a LOT of work! I did hear from one of my welding instructors that taking the steel to a car wash and spraying it down there works pretty darned well, but that always seemed like a bit of a hassle to me.

Amy

[TomS]

I don't know why I didn't think of this before. I use a citrus degreaser similar to this to clean the drivechains on my bicycles.

http://www.parktool.com/tools/CB_2.shtml

Believe me, there's nothing grimier and greasier than a dirty bike chain. I don't see why it wouldn't work for dereasing my trailer frame.

[DestinDave]

You also want to be sure and get all soap film off the metal. Any metal polishing I've done (on boats) or prep for painting I've used a diluted isopropyl alcohol/distilled water rinse. 2 or 3 parts water to 1 part alcohol and just spray it on with a spray bottle. Also gets off fingerprint oils. Let it air dry or wipe dry with plain white paper towels. Dave...