cleaning engine

"Robert M. Gary" wrote in message
om...
Looks like I've got an oil leak in my 550 hr SFNEW IO-360-A3B6
Lycoming engine. My mechanic says I should clean the engine and see
where its coming from. I feel strange cleaning the engine. He said to
use an automotive engine cleaner and then wash it off right away. I
guess its not different than flying through a level 5 rain shower but
I can't see spraying my mags down with a hose. How do most of you do
it?

I don't think paint thinner is appropriate to use. It is highly flammable
and will damage paint, obviously dependent on the type of thinner used.

Dry cleaning solvent or white spirit is an approved Mil spec cleaner and
won't damage paint, and it's relatively cheap. Put it in an atomiser bottle
on jet setting and have an old paint brush ready for stubborn areas, then
hose off.

Scet.

"Scet" wrote in message
...

"Robert M. Gary" wrote in message
om...
Looks like I've got an oil leak in my 550 hr SFNEW IO-360-A3B6
Lycoming engine. My mechanic says I should clean the engine and see
where its coming from. I feel strange cleaning the engine. He said to
use an automotive engine cleaner and then wash it off right away. I
guess its not different than flying through a level 5 rain shower but
I can't see spraying my mags down with a hose. How do most of you do
it?

I don't think paint thinner is appropriate to use. It is highly flammable
and will damage paint, obviously dependent on the type of thinner used.
Scet.


Paint thinner (mineral spirits) will NOT damage paint. It is flamable, but
unless atomized, it is not highly flamable.
--
Jim in NC

Scet wrote:

I don't think paint thinner is appropriate to use. It is highly flammable
and will damage paint, obviously dependent on the type of thinner used.

Paint thinner in the U.S. is also called "mineral spirits". It's no more
flamable than kerosene (which you call "white spirit"), is less oily, and will
definitely NOT harm any paint that's likely to be on an aircraft.

George Patterson
Some people think they hear a call to the priesthood when what they really
hear is a tiny voice whispering "It's indoor work with no heavy lifting".

Maybe I'm just getting confused by the global nature of the discussion, but
I'm seeing a few things that are so obvious on their face that I felt I
should jump in...

Here in the US, paint thinner is not a product, it's a type of product. It's
purpose is just as you would surmise from it's name: it is used to thin
paint to provide the proper viscosity for spraying or brushing. And it's
also used for cleaning brushes, spray nozzles, paint cups and similar items
after use. It does a really dandy job of removing paint! And you use
different paint thinners for different paint types. So you can't really make
too many generic comments about whether it will remove paint or it's
flammability.

Now, here is the obvious: here in the states we clean automobile engines
with a product called "Gunk Engine Cleaner" which comes in an aerosol can.
You spray it on, let it sit for a few minutes, then hose it off with a
moderate stream. I imagine this is the type of product your mechanic was
referring to. And if Gunk is not available worldwide, I'm sure your local
auto parts and supplies dealer carries something similar.

Sorry to but in, but when I saw a reference to paint thinner not removing
paint I just couldn't stay out of the chat...

"G.R. Patterson III" wrote in message
...


Scet wrote:

I don't think paint thinner is appropriate to use. It is highly
flammable
and will damage paint, obviously dependent on the type of thinner used.

Paint thinner in the U.S. is also called "mineral spirits". It's no more
flamable than kerosene (which you call "white spirit"), is less oily, and
will
definitely NOT harm any paint that's likely to be on an aircraft.

George Patterson
Some people think they hear a call to the priesthood when what they
really
hear is a tiny voice whispering "It's indoor work with no heavy
lifting".

Bill Denton wrote:

Here in the US, paint thinner is not a product, it's a type of product.

No, what is sold as "paint thinner" is a specific product also known as "mineral
spirits". It will NOT damage cured auto/aircraft paint. If you go to an auto
paint store, you can buy reducers used to thin specific paints, but those are
not commonly sold in a container labeled "paint thinner". If you go to just
about any other type of paint or hardware store and ask for paint thinner, they
will sell you mineral spirits.

Now, here is the obvious: here in the states we clean automobile engines
with a product called "Gunk Engine Cleaner" which comes in an aerosol can.

Many people use this. Pete Kupper, who ran the maintenance shop at Kupper
airport until a few years ago, bought mineral spirits in 55 gallon drums for
use cleaning engines and other parts.

George Patterson
Some people think they hear a call to the priesthood when what they really
hear is a tiny voice whispering "It's indoor work with no heavy lifting".

"G.R. Patterson III" wrote in message
...


Bill Denton wrote:

Here in the US, paint thinner is not a product, it's a type of product.

No, what is sold as "paint thinner" is a specific product also known as
"mineral
spirits". It will NOT damage cured auto/aircraft paint. If you go to an
auto
paint store, you can buy reducers used to thin specific paints, but those
are
not commonly sold in a container labeled "paint thinner". If you go to
just
about any other type of paint or hardware store and ask for paint thinner,
they
will sell you mineral spirits.

Now, here is the obvious: here in the states we clean automobile engines
with a product called "Gunk Engine Cleaner" which comes in an aerosol
can.

Many people use this. Pete Kupper, who ran the maintenance shop at Kupper
airport until a few years ago, bought mineral spirits in 55 gallon drums
for
use cleaning engines and other parts.

George Patterson
Some people think they hear a call to the priesthood when what they
really
hear is a tiny voice whispering "It's indoor work with no heavy
lifting".

George , kerosene in Australia is called kerosene.

We are talking aircraft here George, if we want paint thinner for our
aircraft why are we going into a hardware store? In the very least I thought
we would be going into an automotive paint supplier, and if you asked for
paint thinner there you would not be given mineral spirits.

Scet wrote:

We are talking aircraft here George, if we want paint thinner for our
aircraft why are we going into a hardware store? In the very least I thought
we would be going into an automotive paint supplier, and if you asked for
paint thinner there you would not be given mineral spirits.

If you go to an auto paint store and ask for paint thinner, you will get some
very odd looks here. They will ask you what you mean, since you could be asking
for what is usually called "reducer" or you could be asking for what is usually
called "hardener". None of the ones I've shopped in sell "paint thinner", but
I do happen to have a can of "acrylic laquer reducer" downstairs.

The poster who first mentioned paint thinner was referring to using it as a
cleaning agent, and nobody with the sense God gave a goose would go to an auto
paint supply shop for that.

As far a "white spirit" is concerned, I ran into the term in a book on wood
finishing years ago and asked a gent from the Britain Isles what it was. He told
me that he thought "white spirit" is called kerosene over here. Since that does
not appear to be the case, can you tell me what it would be called over here?

George Patterson
Some people think they hear a call to the priesthood when what they really
hear is a tiny voice whispering "It's indoor work with no heavy lifting".

White spirit is a synthetic version of turpentine (or at least it's used
interchangeably with turps). It's used for cleaning off wet or recently
dried paint from things. It's a solvent and I think it can be used to
thin oil based paints, but not sure.

Paul

"G.R. Patterson III" wrote in message
...
As far a "white spirit" is concerned, I ran into the term in a book on
wood
finishing years ago and asked a gent from the Britain Isles what it was.
He told
me that he thought "white spirit" is called kerosene over here. Since that
does
not appear to be the case, can you tell me what it would be called over
here?

"Bill Denton" wrote in message
...
Maybe I'm just getting confused by the global nature of the discussion,
but
I'm seeing a few things that are so obvious on their face that I felt I
should jump in...

Here in the US, paint thinner is not a product, it's a type of product.
It's
purpose is just as you would surmise from it's name: it is used to thin
paint to provide the proper viscosity for spraying or brushing. And it's
also used for cleaning brushes, spray nozzles, paint cups and similar
items
after use. It does a really dandy job of removing paint! And you use
different paint thinners for different paint types. So you can't really
make
too many generic comments about whether it will remove paint or it's
flammability.

Now, here is the obvious: here in the states we clean automobile engines
with a product called "Gunk Engine Cleaner" which comes in an aerosol can.
You spray it on, let it sit for a few minutes, then hose it off with a
moderate stream. I imagine this is the type of product your mechanic was
referring to. And if Gunk is not available worldwide, I'm sure your local
auto parts and supplies dealer carries something similar.

Sorry to but in, but when I saw a reference to paint thinner not removing
paint I just couldn't stay out of the chat...


You still need to get your facts straight. I challenge you to go into any
retail outlet, and find anything labeled paint thinner, that is not pure
mineral spirits. It won't happen.

MINERAL SPIRITS WILL NOT REMOVE CURED PAINT! It will remove WET (not
cured) enamels, oils, alkalydes, and a few other types.Do not confuse paint
thinner with paint stripper, or remover. They have things like toluene,
MEK, and various other nasties.

Since you are so sure about this, and had to jump into the chat, perhaps you
would like to share your credentials, so we will all know how you are
qualified to refute what is being shared.

I, by the way, have held a general contracting license, and paint much of
what I build. I also spray many types of finish on cabinet work, have
sprayed automobiles, with paint as nasty as to need constant forced fresh
air supply for the painter (me).

Your turn.

Tell us where you can get this paint thinner that removes paint, also.
--
Jim in NC

"Morgans" wrote in message
...

"Bill Denton" wrote in message
...
Maybe I'm just getting confused by the global nature of the discussion,
but
I'm seeing a few things that are so obvious on their face that I felt I
should jump in...

Here in the US, paint thinner is not a product, it's a type of product.
It's
purpose is just as you would surmise from it's name: it is used to thin
paint to provide the proper viscosity for spraying or brushing. And it's
also used for cleaning brushes, spray nozzles, paint cups and similar
items
after use. It does a really dandy job of removing paint! And you use
different paint thinners for different paint types. So you can't really
make
too many generic comments about whether it will remove paint or it's
flammability.

Now, here is the obvious: here in the states we clean automobile engines
with a product called "Gunk Engine Cleaner" which comes in an aerosol
can.
You spray it on, let it sit for a few minutes, then hose it off with a
moderate stream. I imagine this is the type of product your mechanic was
referring to. And if Gunk is not available worldwide, I'm sure your
local
auto parts and supplies dealer carries something similar.

Sorry to but in, but when I saw a reference to paint thinner not
removing
paint I just couldn't stay out of the chat...


You still need to get your facts straight. I challenge you to go into any
retail outlet, and find anything labeled paint thinner, that is not pure
mineral spirits. It won't happen.

MINERAL SPIRITS WILL NOT REMOVE CURED PAINT! It will remove WET (not
cured) enamels, oils, alkalydes, and a few other types.Do not confuse
paint
thinner with paint stripper, or remover. They have things like toluene,
MEK, and various other nasties.

Since you are so sure about this, and had to jump into the chat, perhaps
you
would like to share your credentials, so we will all know how you are
qualified to refute what is being shared.

I, by the way, have held a general contracting license, and paint much of
what I build. I also spray many types of finish on cabinet work, have
sprayed automobiles, with paint as nasty as to need constant forced fresh
air supply for the painter (me).

Your turn.

Tell us where you can get this paint thinner that removes paint, also.
--
Jim in NC

Hi Jim, I think you were referring to Bill, but I'll jump in if I may.
I'm a panel beater and spray painter licensed with the Motor Vehicle Repair
Industry Council, here in Australia
and am also a member of the Institute of Automotive Mechanical Engineers -
Spray Painting Division, so I guess by saying that I'm saying I have a bit
of an idea about painting.

If I was getting some paint for, let's say an aircraft, I wouldn't go into
any retail outlet now would I? And walking into an automotive paint supplier
to get some paint for your aircraft, (they may or may not have zinc chromate
primer, depending on location) and asking for some thinner will not get you
mineral spirits.
Of course you would have to stipulate the type of thinner you wanted, be it
2Pak, acrylic lacquer etc but being an aircraft and wanting a nice gloss off
the gun I would be asking for 2Pak, which would be the nasty paint you were
referring to. It contains icocyanites (SP?) which are readily absorbed by
the skin.
The point I am trying to make here Jim is, when you are talking shop, people
generally think along the lines of the products that are used in that
industry and to me saying you were cleaning your aircraft engine down with
thinner is a bad thing and brings up thoughts of badly damaged paint, not to
mention any rubber or plastics that have been affected.

The fact that you have a general contracting contracting license says to me
that you expertise lies within an area that would use paints that require
mineral turps as a thinner and would therefore refer to mineral turps when
discussing thinners. On the same token Jim, I bet you know more about
mineral turps, it's uses and applications than what I would.

Scet