ClassE Posted April 2, 2016 Report Share Posted April 2, 2016 Has anyone found - or heard of - a good way to remove the OEM applied cosmoline from the engine bay (inner fenders, strut towers, etc...). I've done a bunch of searching and it seems no one has a "good" solution. I tried non-chlorinated Brake Kleen after reading a bunch of people suggesting it, but wasn't pleased with the results. It seemed to still leave a layer after multiple applications, and in the areas it appears to be fully removed it seems to soften the paint. I'm not concerned with time or elbow grease - I just want the crap off the bay! Anyone had good results with certain products or processes?!? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wasnt m3 Posted April 2, 2016 Report Share Posted April 2, 2016 I'd try lacquer thinner. No, it won't hurt your paint. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
straight6pwr Posted April 3, 2016 Report Share Posted April 3, 2016 never could get it off of my e30s. (short of using abrasive methods for engine parts) i gave up though once i thought i might start doing more harm than good. cosmoline > damaged paint. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClassE Posted April 3, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 3, 2016 23 hours ago, wasnt m3 said: I'd try lacquer thinner. No, it won't hurt your paint. Not that I don't believe you - but do you have any experience using lacquer thinner on automotive paint? My dad uses lacquer thinner a bit around their sign shop (usually for removing paint I believe...) and I know it's some pretty harsh stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wasnt m3 Posted April 3, 2016 Report Share Posted April 3, 2016 Every day. Works extremely well to remove scuffs, paint transfer, overspray, etc. Now, if your car had lacquer based paint, I would worry haha. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClassE Posted April 6, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 6, 2016 So I gave lacquer thinner a try on one of the small brackets I plan to remove from the bay. The lacquer thinner cuts through the cosmoline wonderfully! .... Unfortunately it also cuts through the paint under it equally well! Lacquer thinner on a rag removes the cosmoline in about 2-3 seconds of light scrubbing, however I found that any more then 2-3 seconds and you'll start to get into the paint under it. It's especially bad if there is any paint flake or scratches - those areas will pull up paint even faster (especially because there is no cosmoline on that scratch/flake so the lacquer thinner starts on the paint immediately). If you scrub on a spot for 10 seconds or more.... Bye-bye paint. I think a person *could* use lacquer thinner - but you'd need to be very careful not to overdo it in quantity or scrubbing. I'd also be concerned about making the painted surfaces "splotchy" by the varying scrub times. A quick pass with the lacquer thinner really does eat the cosmoline quickly tho - I'm just not sure it's worth the risk of going too far into the paint. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClassE Posted April 6, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 6, 2016 I may try a 75/25 or 50/50 mix of lacquer thinner and a mineral thinner (mineral thinner to thin the thinner..... Thinner). Less harsh = more scrubbing.... But more control and less chance of getting too much paint removal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyhundley Posted April 6, 2016 Report Share Posted April 6, 2016 I have also heard of people using oven cleaner to remove cosmoline but I cant tell you if it works or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.