Methods for stripping an engine bay down
#1749388
02/08/15 08:07 PM
02/08/15 08:07 PM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 25,050 Texas
GoodysGotaCuda
OP
5.7L Hemi, 6spd
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OP
5.7L Hemi, 6spd
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 25,050
Texas
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I'd like to get my engine bay down to bare metal while things are apart and am trying to find the most effective way, on a budget, to do it. Sending the car out for work isn't a viable option right now. Options I see are: Chemical Stripping - Seems like a mess!!! Angle grinder with a cup brush - It'll work, but slow process Portable/Small Media blaster - I have a 60gal compressor, seems like an option? Which have you done and what would you recommend? Thanks-
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Re: Methods for stripping an engine bay down
[Re: Rhinodart]
#1749391
02/08/15 08:49 PM
02/08/15 08:49 PM
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,632 SHELBY TWP,,MICHIGAN
72N96RR
I LOVE WEDGIES
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I LOVE WEDGIES
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,632
SHELBY TWP,,MICHIGAN
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Chem stripping is am amazing mess and a big chore especially in an engine bay...but its the best at getting to everything...I used a metal etch primer before paint and 8 years later that car still looks mint..
1972 Road Runner / GTX 440 4spd Dana 3.54 Just about to turn 26K original miles..
A boat, a GMC truck, some Craftsman Tools, LOTS of Zombie Protection, and a few Goldfish..
If you love someone set them free.. If they come back it means nobody else wanted them either..!!
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Re: Methods for stripping an engine bay down
[Re: 72N96RR]
#1749392
02/08/15 09:10 PM
02/08/15 09:10 PM
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,696 jersey
Spaceman Spiff
master
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master
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,696
jersey
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What about a mobile soda blasting service?
526 cubes of angry wedge, pushbutton shifted, 9 passenger killer!
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Re: Methods for stripping an engine bay down
[Re: ahy]
#1749394
02/08/15 10:55 PM
02/08/15 10:55 PM
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,095 Western Md.
skicker
"The Champ"
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"The Champ"
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,095
Western Md.
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I've always used the wire brush-scrape and sand method. I bought an electric DA thru Dewalt and it makes it so much easier. No waiting on air and no noisy compressor running nonstop. Do yourself a favor and be sure to use some seam sealer around all of the areas where the panels are joined together. Use a very small amount and pull it tight like installing caulking. I've seen a few that were wire brushed, primed and painted and then started to show faint rust lines around the edges of the panels. Sucks when that happens since there is no good easy fix...
...FAFO...
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Re: Methods for stripping an engine bay down
[Re: GoodysGotaCuda]
#1749397
02/08/15 11:28 PM
02/08/15 11:28 PM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 28,312 Cincinnati, Ohio
Challenger 1
Too Many Posts
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Too Many Posts
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 28,312
Cincinnati, Ohio
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Quote:
I'd like to get my engine bay down to bare metal while things are apart and am trying to find the most effective way, on a budget, to do it. Sending the car out for work isn't a viable option right now.
Options I see are:
Chemical Stripping - Seems like a mess!!! Angle grinder with a cup brush - It'll work, but slow process Portable/Small Media blaster - I have a 60gal compressor, seems like an option?
Which have you done and what would you recommend?
Thanks-
I would never recommend any kind of abrasive media unless the car was a absolute bare shell. Because the media get's everywhere and nothing can be exposed to it while blasting. Plastic and tape is not enough.
Car inside or out?
Gasoline is cheap and cuts grease and grime fast and well.
Put it in a pump up garden sprayer and a parts cleaning brush from the auto parts store works really well and won't damage the metal. Gets in all the nooks and crannys better than any thing else by hand. Then if your got room to media blast, then I'd say pressure washer after that. Pressure washer is your friend and is perfectly suited for this kind of job.
Otherwise a wire brush on drill, but is so medieval to me. Like said, A putty knife and a torch would be my last choice and will scrap up the panels.
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Re: Methods for stripping an engine bay down
[Re: chrisf]
#1749398
02/09/15 12:04 AM
02/09/15 12:04 AM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 25,050 Texas
GoodysGotaCuda
OP
5.7L Hemi, 6spd
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OP
5.7L Hemi, 6spd
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 25,050
Texas
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Thank you for all of the replies! To touch on chemical stripping, the rest of the car is painted. I'd like to keep that paint, at least for now. Splash would definitely be a problem. The car can be inside or out without much trouble, it's on casters and I have a flat driveway. The engine bay isn't dirty, but with welding up a bunch of holes and grinding the welds, it seems as if I'd be better off stripping everything and laying down fresh primer. Seems like wire-wheelin' is still my best bet. I think the one I was using was a little too soft bristled/worn out to be very effective. I'll grab a new one, or three and get after it this weekend.
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Re: Methods for stripping an engine bay down
[Re: RUNCHARGER]
#1749400
02/09/15 01:19 AM
02/09/15 01:19 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,355 Eagle, Idaho
Neil
The Doctor is in.
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The Doctor is in.
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,355
Eagle, Idaho
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Big open areas = These in a drill http://img4-3.realsimple.timeinc.net/images/daily-finds/home/0509/df-3M-paint-rust-2_300.jpgWay better than any wire wheel for paint removal + they leave a great finish to apply primer to. Wear a dust mask or you'll have black boogers for a week. Tight spots = chase down by hand using 80 grit wrapped around a popsicle handle, wood paint stir sticks ect. NO metal as a backer as it can gouge the sheet metal if it pokes thru the sandpaper Seams = dental pick(s). You can get the paint off with surgical precision using the above. Don't drag the drill extension chord over your fenders.
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Re: Methods for stripping an engine bay down
[Re: GoodysGotaCuda]
#1749401
02/09/15 01:28 AM
02/09/15 01:28 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 18,389 UPPER MICHIGAN, MARQUETTE COUN...
NITROUSN
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 18,389
UPPER MICHIGAN, MARQUETTE COUN...
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Quote:
Portable/Small Media blaster - I have a 60gal compressor, seems like an option?
That is what I would use. Soda if possible. Just avoid areas where it could go in the car. Media will get all the nooks and crannies. The rest you will need to manually remove with various media/grit wheels or discs.
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Re: Methods for stripping an engine bay down
[Re: Cab_Burge]
#1749402
02/09/15 02:37 AM
02/09/15 02:37 AM
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Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 50 Wisconsin
stew
member
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member
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 50
Wisconsin
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I needed to do an engine bay in a Mustang in exchange for wedding photos. I used Easy Off oven cleaner and a pressure washer. The oven cleaner removed the Ziebart rustproofing that had been there since '67, took off all of the paint and primer to the bare metal!! It did not harm any plastic or rubber parts, just make sure you cover places you don't want it to go, like down the cowl vent. Did this one while the engine was in the car, and it cleaned up everything! Spray the oven cleaner on and let it sit for 5 minutes or so. DO NOT let it dry on. BE SURE TO WEAR EYE PROTECTION ( GOGGLES !!) AND A FACE SHIELD !! COVER ALL EXPOSED SKIN!! THIS STUFF IS MEAN AND EFFECTIVE !! Worked for me. JUST BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL. You'd have to be NUTS to use gasoline!! One small spark to set off the vapors and you're toast!
Last edited by stew; 02/09/15 02:42 AM.
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Re: Methods for stripping an engine bay down
[Re: roadrunninMark]
#1749405
02/09/15 08:06 PM
02/09/15 08:06 PM
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,404 Lee Co. Fla.
5carguy
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,404
Lee Co. Fla.
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Quote:
I found a pic. Way faster then a cup with wire brush and does a better job. It doesnt throw pieces of wire either. Use the "end" not the flat to do the stripping.
I use these all the time and they work great.
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Re: Methods for stripping an engine bay down
[Re: dart4forte]
#1749407
02/09/15 10:36 PM
02/09/15 10:36 PM
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 8,828 Ontario, Canada
Stanton
Don't question me!
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Don't question me!
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 8,828
Ontario, Canada
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No need to completely strip to bare metal - a lot of work for nothing. Clean it well. Weld, grind, prime, fill, sand, scuff the whole thing, prime the whole area and paint.
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Re: Methods for stripping an engine bay down
[Re: Telvis]
#1749409
02/10/15 01:24 AM
02/10/15 01:24 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,616 Riverside, Ca
G_bob
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,616
Riverside, Ca
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Quote:
Quote:
Do it right
Remove all the hardware out of the engine compartment.
Steam clean if possible or pressure wash. Use a putty knive for those thick greasey areas
Wash with hot soapy water and rinse.
Once dry wipe down with grease and wax remover.
Weld all unnecessary holes, DA sand, fill were necessary and prep for paint
Agree 100%
Ajax or Comet and a Scotch-brite pad do a good job of scuffing and cleaning at the same time. I've used that method twice to prep engine bays for paint with good results.
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Re: Methods for stripping an engine bay down
[Re: RapidusMaximus]
#1749411
02/10/15 08:18 PM
02/10/15 08:18 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,231 Chicago, IL
PLUM_72
pro stock
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pro stock
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,231
Chicago, IL
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My preferred method is chemical stripper followed by sandblasting. Cover the painted surfaces. Use the thick solvent based "aircraft" stripper found at some of the big box stores. Its good stuff! A gallon should do the engine compartment. Paint it on a small area with a cheap paint brush. Let it sit for a half hour or so, then scrape the surface with a razor blade scraper, changing the blade as needed. Wire bristle "tooth brushes" also work well. I use a large shallow cardboard box and allow the scrapings to fall into the box to minimize cleanup. Plastic sheets on the ground will also work.
I then sandblast the areas that are rusty or still show paint. I use a cheap suction feed unit. My air compressor isn't all that big. Blasting it all would take too much time and leave me with a beach afterward. The majority of the surface comes clean with the stripper, the blaster cleans up the other areas.
Prime with what you like afterward.
Making a mess is part of the fun. A little planing upfront will minimize the cleanup. Best of all its super low buck but you will have some time invested.
1972 Dodge Challenger
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Re: Methods for stripping an engine bay down
[Re: GoodysGotaCuda]
#1749413
02/10/15 11:11 PM
02/10/15 11:11 PM
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 518 Georgia
Steve Bryant
mopar
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mopar
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 518
Georgia
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On my 70 Cuda, I have stripped the interior and underneath the car with an electric angle grinder and wire discs. A cheap wire disc (about $4 each) will very quickly strip about 10 square feet of car down to the metal. Last weekend I completely stripped the interior (roof, floor, firewall, rear) in less than 3-4 hours. I then wipe everything down with acetone and usually use etching primer. Corners may require chemicals or a dremil tool with wire brushes or some selective minimal sandblasting. The photo here shows about 20 minutes of work in a wheel well. You can see the wire wheel went through dirt, undercoating, paint and primer like butter. I prefer this method because its cheap and fairly quiet. HOWEVER, you must protect yourself because those cheap wire discs will fling metal spikes as they wear and they will penetrate skin so cover your eyes with good goggles and protect all other skin with thick clothes. Also, if you are in a confined space, keep a fan on you or wear a respirator since you don't want to inhale any of that crap. Here is a link to the knotted wire discs I was talking about. I also have plenty of photos of my interior all stripped down from last weekend. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B21CH7A/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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Re: Methods for stripping an engine bay down
[Re: Steve Bryant]
#1749414
02/10/15 11:15 PM
02/10/15 11:15 PM
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 518 Georgia
Steve Bryant
mopar
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mopar
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 518
Georgia
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Here is a photo of the interior work I did this weekend. The wheel also does a number on rust.
Last edited by Steve Bryant; 02/10/15 11:16 PM.
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Re: Methods for stripping an engine bay down
[Re: chrisf]
#1749417
02/11/15 12:17 AM
02/11/15 12:17 AM
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,095 Western Md.
skicker
"The Champ"
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"The Champ"
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,095
Western Md.
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I like the idea of blasting I've seen excellent results from it. I can't speak for the rest but my time is FREE when it comes to my cars... It's countless hours I'm in the garage and the kitchen witch is in the house...
...FAFO...
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