GUIDES AND RESTO FEATURES INSIDE:
Expert tips and advice whether you’re looking to buy or restore a classic
non-metal-based grease is to avoid problems should the grease contaminate electrical sensors such as a wheel speed sensor for the ABS or a low brake pad warning sensor. It’s perhaps a valid point, but typically, this means brake grease is much more expensive than copper grease, yet it seems to merely be a high-meltingpoint grease that won’t turn runny under the heat generated from heavy braking.
Cleaning up
The flipside to grease is surely the need to clean it up, whether it’s coating the exterior of a sump pan, clogging up the thread of a bolt or at risk of contaminating a component. And there are also aspects that are not part of a car, but which need cleaning, ranging from your hands and clothes to the garage floor.
A dedicated degreaser is often a worthwhile investment for breaking down grease. Qualube Solvent Degreaser is one example, and as the product information explains, it seems it’s not solely suitable for automotive applications, stating, “Qualube Degreaser is a solvent-based cleaning fluid that is used neat to rapidly dissolve oil, grease, fats and other deposits which bind dirt particles on surfaces. It can be applied by brush, dipping or low-pressure spray and can easily be removed with water by a pressure washer or hosepipe.” The product information continues to say that it is used in commercial workshops and is a cost-effective multi-purpose cleaning fluid with a proven track record.
Many people don’t use a degreaser to remove oil and grease, but a readily available product such as petrol or paraffin. This can be effective and may be cheaper, but could leave a residue. Brake, clutch and carb cleaners are another means of degreasing, and are similarly priced to a degreaser. We’ve even tried oven cleaners and other kitchen cleaning solutions with mixed results.
In some cases, especially if there’s a large amount of grease or oil to remove, it may be easier to find some means of mopping it up. A bag of sand for example, can absorb a pool of oil whether it’s fresh or has accumulated over several years. Products such as absorbent granules and paper roll wipes are designed to be more effective and are often similarly priced to an equivalent bag of sand.
Keeping yourself clean and clear of oil and grease is just as important. Work gloves, disposable gloves and barrier creams can help to protect your skin, which is essential to avoid irritation and potential skin problems. Should you need to clean your hands, then a nail brush and neat washing-up liquid may be the cheapest answer, but it can lead to problems, so invest in something that helps condition the skin and restore it or apply something afterwards.
Keeping your clothes clear of oil and grease is possibly the biggest challenge that many of us concede to failing at. Wearing overalls or clothing that is past its best is the easiest solution, instead of trying to remain spotlessly clean, which as we all know, is impossible to achieve when working on a classic car.
“WE’VE EVEN TRIED OVEN CLEANERS, THOUGH WITH MIXED RESULTS”