MTFCA Forum

Perhaps it has been discussed before, but it is an idea I never thought of....
While catching some TV this weekend, there was a commercial stating about using Dawn ULTRA dish-washing detergent to remove oil and grease from a car. In addition to it's common uses, they illustrated putting it on a cloth, then to actually wipe the tar and grease from a car's exterior body and a wheel.
This caught my attention.... I've got some very stubborn and caked on heavy oil stains on the TT Ruckstell, and even a hot power-washer won't remove them. The commercial identified "Dawn ULTRA", and I even found a bottle of the Ultra PLATINUM version residing under our kitchen sink! Short of 'blasting, I've been at a loss, not wanting to try painting over the stains, so am wondering if anyone has tried this? Sometimes, simple solutions are the best ones. Thanks!

I think they use Dawn to clean up water fowl that have been covered in oil spills.

I have used dishwashing soap to clean light oil and grease with good results, but heavy caked on dry grease, no.

I use Dawn to clean my hands after grease and oil work in the shop. The wife gave me my own bottle for obvious reasons. Its the best on grease and oil. Never tried it on dried 90 year old crud but a good soak and stiff brush may work.
On a side note a heavy mixture of Dawn dish soap and water in a spray bottle used on boxelder bugs that gather on the side of my house in the summer works also. Within a few seconds they drop dead. Amazing!

Dawn kills grease, bug, and vampires.

It is almost as good as Marvel Mystery oil.

i discovered using dawn as a degreaser by accident.it out performed all the supposed best degreasers on my shelves by a mile at half the price.i also had a few bad experiences with the purple stuff discoloring some paint finishes,but never a problem with Dawn

Works great to clean out radiators, especially on Model A's that have had 50 years of water pump grease in them. A little goes a long way

If you have a tub big enough to soak the part in about 1oz Dwan per 10 gallons of water and a way to keep it warm (140 deg F) and the time a 2 day soak under these conditions will remove about 95% of the hardest caked on crud.

-G.R.-
My Bride doesn't seem too keen about my soaking 'T' parts in the kitchen sink....
When weather becomes suitable, I'll try out some suggestions. Thanks!

-Steve-
Just saw your comment, then thought about the baked on drum crud between the wood spokes.... Would that heavy dose of Dawn help to loosen that crud as well, or harm the spokes? I hesitate using something too harsh. Then, if successful, the re-treating/prep of those spokes? Had intended a natural finish for spokes.

". . . tools . . ." and, ". . . a little goes a long way. . ." Both Steves have it right. Ancient caked on mud,oil,grease and dirt is often tough to clean off. Soaking in a penetrant like kerosene or WD-40 can help, detergents work best when in solution with water. Dawn is good at cutting grease, I don't know if it's really superior to TSP or Orvus paste, which are cheaper.

They also make a clear Dawn soap. Not at every store.

WARNING! Dawn dish washing soap will also take your freshly waxed finish off your car if you use it to wash your car with.

Dallas, I found that shaving cream rubbed onto hands until dry prior to work with oily / greasy parts works as well as dawn for washing away the mess.

Just my $.02 worth.