Household cleaning materials used for automotive purposes

[Stretch]

Dear All,

I've read a lot about citric acid based cleaning products that degrease and degunk but unfortunately I can't get hold of anything like that locally (I live in Europe in The Netherlands). So I've been looking for alternatives.

I have found that the banjo bolts on the low pressure side piping of my diesel W123 300D come up quite nicely when soaked in a solution of household white washing powder and water.

Oven cleaner also seems to work on the aluminium fuel filter housing - but it is a slow process...

Has any one got any other tips for cleaning cars with easy to get hold of household products?



For example, a search on this forum has produced:-

Peanut butter for rejuvenating black plastic (DON'T DO THIS - SEE UNDER!!!!)

Peanut Butter worked !

Rust removal with vinegar / household lime scale removers

Experiment in rust removal

Does anyone have any more?

[Kyle Blackmore]

Army, in Canada I went to the local pharmacy for citric acid, he wondered what I needed a Kg for, but sold it to me anyways. It's used in food production too, if you find a food wholesaler that stocks it.
Good luck

[TX76513]

Allunimun foil crumpled up works great for cleaning chrome and window trms (drip rails).

Not a fan of the peanut butter - its just the oil and its temporary. Take a heat gun and slowly go along door handles, works great. Youtube Demo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-UPsfvhmTc&feature=related

[Stretch]

Originally Posted by Kyle Blackmore

Army, in Canada I went to the local pharmacy for citric acid, he wondered what I needed a Kg for, but sold it to me anyways. It's used in food production too, if you find a food wholesaler that stocks it.
Good luck

Yeah I tried them - no dice. Everything here seems to be in "pre-packaged solutions". I have found something on the internet though... but even so these wacky solutions such a peanut butter on door handles sound like fun!

[TheDon]

Originally Posted by Army

Peanut butter for rejuvenating black plastic

Peanut Butter worked !

no no no no no no

Do not use peanutbutter. It is stupid to smear the gunk on your rubber to let the oils in the peanutbutter "rejuvenate" the rubber. Use a proper product like Aerospace 303, Back to Black, or even some armor all crap if you have to

[Stretch]

Originally Posted by TX76513

Allunimun foil crumpled up works great for cleaning chrome and window trms (drip rails).

Not a fan of the peanut butter - its just the oil and its temporary. Take a heat gun and slowly go along door handles, works great. Youtube Demo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-UPsfvhmTc&feature=related

Great stuff - thanks a lot. Peanut "nutter" not so good after all eh?

[Stretch]

Originally Posted by TheDon

no no no no no no

Do not use peanutbutter. It is stupid to smear the gunk on your rubber to let the oils in the peanutbutter "rejuvenate" the rubber. Use a proper product like Aerospace 303, Back to Black, or even some armor all crap if you have to

Thanks for the warning I've added an edit in my first post.

I've always found Back to Black to be rather needy - I mean use it once and you've got to keep using it again and again and again... It could be me just being fussy though.

[Stretch]

A note on my original comment about using oven cleaner on my aluminium fuel filter housing - I've just found that liquid clothing stain remover is just as effective and is friendlier to your hands.

[TX76513]

On bright work, alluminum, stainless steel and such I buy a gallon of this metal brightner at the Marina for $10 dilluted it last forever and is so good on anything metal. It's not a pollutant either. It's used on boats to knock the salt water off metal. Locally it sold by some crazy name like Uncle Bob's but that not important its probably available anyhwere there is saltwater and boats by many diffferent manufactures/distributers. It will make a valve cover look factory. Again its very earth friendly and non corrosive.