Modern Vespa

Hi All,
Looking for suggestions on what you would recommend using to clean up engine exterior, etc.
I plan on using brushes first to remove what I can. Then to remove the grease and grime, what works best? I've seen people use brake cleaner, simplegreen, soapy water, etc.
Also what should I be covering/holes plugged during cleaning?

Thanks![/img]

I like Simple Green. It's effective and nontoxic.

I will no doubt receive some flak for this, as Simple Green is known to remove a microscopic layer of aluminum surfaces, and so is prohibited from use on aircraft. However, a scooter engine is not in any danger from this microscopic reduction.

Fulcron.

I have not heard of Fulcron. What is it and where would I find it? Thanks

Fulcron is Arexons product, Onrion LLC is a reseller of the AREXONS in all of the United States.

Simple Green.

If you want to stick with an aerosol in the hard to reach spots, I've found that even WD-40 works surprisingly well.

Diluted Simple Green. If left on too long, it will etch the surface.

I once, years ago, put a lid from a 1940s Harley-Davidson transmission in a pan of full strength Simple Green. I forgot about it and it stayed there for several months. When I pulled it out, there were holes in the lid.

-Craig

OUCH!

We sprits on, let it sit a few minutes, scrub any stubborn spots, then hose it off.

I'll tell you what not to use. Mothers Tire and Wheel cleaner. It will cause corrosion on bare aluminum surfaces, ever with the maximum 30 second application. I hate corrosion spots on my cases! I've had good luck with the foaming engine cleaner in the spray can. I just get the no-name from Wally World. I've also used Simple Green slightly diluted with good results. Nowadays I'm spoiled as my work had an industrial parts washer that will fit a pretty large engine.

If you use Purple Power cleaner dilute it a bit more than what the instructions call for. Another good cleaner is Spray Nine cleaner. We use it exclusively at my job. Good stuff as well.

Has anyone recommended simple green yet? Simple green.

Nothing, absolutely nothing. That thin layer of oil and crud is protecting the cases. If I need to clean an area to work on it, I'll use some car wash soap, which is pretty gentle, after knocking all the loose crud off with a nylon bristle brush. Cleanliness is vastly overrated when it comes to engines.

New Dawn dish soap 60 water /40...and a brush...doesn't leave the residue of simple green

hard small tight spots...carb cleaner and tooth brush or brass brush

Gasoline and a paintbrush.
Once it's clean and dry, spray the whole thing down with wd40 and let that dry. after that, you can hose it down at the carwash and the dirt will come right off. then reapply wd40.