Engine compartment detailing

[Tom L.]

Sometime in my car's past an owner attacked the firewall, wires, vacuum lines, relays, etc. with a can of black spray paint. Any suggestions for cleaning this up? I know it's going to be a chore, just looking for some advice. Thanks!!

[Jim T.]

Re: Engine compartment detailing

Lacquer thinner may get paint off the wiring and vacuum hoses.

[Bill L.]

Re: Engine compartment detailing

I had a similar problem on m y 70. Lacquer thinner worked on some of the paint. I had to VERY carefully use paint remover on other areas.

The black spray bomb found my under carriage too.


Bill

[Dennis B.]

Re: Engine compartment detailing

I would start with the least aggressive product that worked first. A citrus based solvent perhaps or brake parts cleaner and work my way from there.

Dennis

[Alan S.]

Re: Engine compartment detailing

Hi Lynn,
The original wire wrap is quite slick and I had some luck cleaning it with straight Simple Green since many finishes don't really want to stick to the wrap.
I found using lacquer thinner on a rag rather than paint remover allows you to see what's under the layers of paint as you rub them off. This REALLY helps in determining what the original finish was on various parts and areas. A good example is the wiper well, (I realize you may not be going there), but, the lacquer thinner takes the black-out off but leaves the body color that's underneath, until you come back with more lacquer thinner if you want to remove that too.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan

[Edward J.]

Re: Engine compartment detailing

Lynn, I would use caution with the solvents around the cars painted areas, brake cleaner is the worst on the cars finish. theres really no other way to remove the black paint.

[Tom L.]

Re: Engine compartment detailing

I'm aware that the options are worrysome, the reason I posted. The car is wrapped in plastic at this point since I've painted the frame and short block. For some of the removeable parts, relays and the such in particular, would a citrus based paint remover be a disaster????

[Graeme B.]

Re: Engine compartment detailing

For removeable parts like relays, thinners and a toothbrush .
Cheers, Graeme.