How to remove excess grease?

[Johnkn]

Went to power wash my 3 year old Kubota this weekend. I've got some excess grease on the tractor in some hard to reach places around some fittings. The cold water pressure washer tended to just move it around, is there something i can easily spray on that will dissolve the grease w/o harming the paint finish? I suspect brake cleaner would hurt the paint and potentially harm the seals. Thanks

 

[shui5612]

Might consider renting out a hot water pressure washer.. I hear those are great for removing grease.

On a side note, a pressure washer removes particles with pressure, a soap of some kind would get rid of the grease a lot easier and faster... and hot water (like washing dishes).

I imagine there are soaps marketed as grease removers for cold pressure washers..

 

[bigdeano]

They sell stuff in spray cans for cleaning engines. I think it's called Gunk, if I remember correctly. It washes off afterwards.

 

[AWSubie]

Amazon.com - Handheld Steam Cleaner, Lovin Product HIGH-PRESSURE Chemical Free Steamer; ALL IN ONE; ETL LISTED; Removing Grease, Stains, Mold and more for Home, Auto, Patio -

These little hand held steam cleaners work extremely well. I discovered them years ago when I was trying to clean cosmoline from old military surplus rifles and pistols.

 

[Johnkn]

I use a foam cannon first, it does a good job really soaking all the hard to get to areas with soap. Chemical Guys: TORQ Foam Cannon - Snow Foam Car Wash Epic Detailing - YouTube

 

[Peter 315]

You can use a plastic putty knife to remove as much as you can before you pressure wash it. I use simple green spray it on let in soak then hose off

 

[TractorGuy]

I have used the generic degreaser sold at wally world with some success. I keep several cans on the shelf.

 

[mikester]

Pressure washer works. I'd avoid using soap/degreaser unless you regrease everything liberally afterwards.

Old rags work best.

 

[ericm979]

I just wipe up the old grease when I'm greasing the tractor or implements.

Pressure washing will put water and soap into the fittings that you grease, especially ones with no seals like loader pivots. Afterwards you'll need to grease more to push out the water and soap and partially dissolved grease. Then you'll have globs of that stuff to deal with.

 

[Oldoak]

Pressure washer works. I'd avoid using soap/degreaser unless you regrease everything liberally afterwards.

Old rags work best.

I would regrease EVERY THING that takes grease after pressure washing alone, without any soap/degreaser.

I agree, old rags work best. We're taking about tractors, not Mercedes touring cars.

 

[Jay4200]

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Super-Tech-Engine-Degreaser-18-oz/16821277

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

WD-40 works exceptionally well to remove grease. I get the gallon can (non-aerosol) and use old rags to remove the excess grease.

It will also remove adhesive and even "construction adhesive" as long as it's still wet.

 

[tcreeley]

Rubbing alcohol and rags works well. I worked at a stable years ago and we used to rub the show carts down with grease, especially the iron. Then we'd wrap it all with leg wraps. That would protect against rust and moisture. In the spring we'd unwrap everything and clean it all up with rubbing alcohol. Worked great.

 

[Deere Dude]

Purple Power works and is cheap. Wipe as much grease off as you can first so it doesn't spread and be careful around stickers with that as well as any petroleum based product.

 

[JRobyn]

I have for VERY long found mineral spirits to be the ideal solvent for most anything sticky/greasy. Plus, it is readily available, reasonably cheap, will harm no finishes that I am aware of, harms no plastics or other vulnerable materials that I am aware of, and doesn't smell too bad!

I keep little squirt bottles of it around. Just dampen paper towels or rags with a bit and easily wipe off your grease.

Amazon.com : MoYo Natural Labs 4 oz Squirt Bottles, Squeezable Empty Travel Containers, BPA Free HDPE Plastic for Essential Oils and Liquids, Toiletry/Cosmetic Bottles (2-41) (Pack of 4, HDPE Translucent White) : Beauty

 

[flingwing1969]

Purple Power works and is cheap. Wipe as much grease off as you can first so it doesn't spread and be careful around stickers with that as well as any petroleum based product.

Purple Power does work well. I pour mine into a two-gallon garden sprayer and leave it there. I spray it on liberally down to all the crevices and hard to get at places and let it sit until it starts to evaporate, then hit is again and wait again, then use the pressure washer.

 

[flingwing1969]

WD-40 works exceptionally well to remove grease. I get the gallon can (non-aerosol) and use old rags to remove the excess grease.

It will also remove adhesive and even "construction adhesive" as long as it's still wet.

I'll have to give that a try. I have a number of WD-40 aerosol cans that are out of gas. I drill a hole in the top and pour the liquid into a bottle to use later. I also have the gallon cans.

 

[PILOON]

One of my 'go to' items is Oven cleaner in the aerosol cans.
One brand is Jifoam and note that local dollar stores carry it generally as well.

First wipe off as much as U can with rags then spray the Oven cleaner followed by water spray with pressure washer the best.
Rinse generously after using the oven cleaner.

PS: Oven cleaner works for oily engins and carburetors as well.

It is caustic so rinse well!

 

[Msamt]

My fave is zep, fast 505, find it at home cheapo

slicker than snot taking off grease...

 

[SimS]

Spray on Sudsy Ammonia then pressure washer. You can buy it or DIY your own SA with water, ammonia and Dawn dish soap. The base qualities of Ammonia really cuts grease and oil and the Dawn is the surfactant. I use it on my tractor and skid steer and they are just about the greasiest and oiliest beasts around.

SimS