Best way to clean the backed on looking grime off the tractor and engine?

[bo dawg 583]

How do many of you clean the years of caked on grime off of the tractor and the engine with out getting water where it shouldn’t be. I normally hand clean what I can reach or see with out taring down tractor. What cleaning products is used?

[ebinmaine 78,064]

Brake clean in spray cans.... By the case. 

 

Also any one of several "color named" cleaners. 

Purple Power. Incredible Pink. Castrol Super Clean. Simple Green.  

Generic versions of them too.  

 

Also a decent spray engine degreaser can help.  

 

Air compressor is also excellent.  

 

[squonk 45,951]

Dawn Power Wash dish soap works well.

[Handy Don 16,162]

I test solvent cleaners on an inconspicuous spot first. Some brake cleaners will soften and remove some kinds of paint--especially if left to stand, which is an advantage in some situations! 😉

Edited 2 hours ago by Handy Don

[953 nut 64,923]

GOJO hand cleaner and a stiff parts cleaning brush works great. It is thick enough to stay where you put it to soften up the thick stuff and being a citrus it is environmentally friendly and won't harm your skin.

[WHX?? 55,872]

Heard tell oven cleaner but i have never used it. Might take paint off?? 

I use the color cleaners and dawn power wash and a pressure washer. 

[EB-80/8inPA 1,992]

57 minutes ago, 953 nut said:

it is environmentally friendly and won't harm your skin.

Like Palmolive?