Cleaning a M questions

BigTone

Member
Getting ready to begin the long task of cleaning up my M and I have a few questions:

1. I hear people talk about "wire brushing," are you all talking about a cup brush for a angle grinder or a small wire brush with a 1/4" shank for a hand grinder or a hand wire brush or all or the above? Any techniques you have found helpful?

2. What chemicals should I get to remove wax, grease and everything else that is on those tractors? is there stuff that is environmentally friendly because im doing it in the barn and dont want to get chemicals in the ground.

3. Any tips to make the job easier? I dont mind learning on my own but any tips would be appreciated!

As always thanks for the help!
 
Has the tractor been waxed or you concerned with oil and grease? Any auto parts store should carry a wax and grease remover. It is mostly used on cars to get car wax off because they contain silicones which can make the new finish fisheye. You would first wash the tractor with soap and water, maybe some purple power and then use the wax and grease remover. You would wipe the tractor down with one rag with the solvent and another clean dry rag to pick up the wax. (change rags often)Then use the wire brush or sand. Doesn't fit environmentally friendly but if you don't believe wax was used I've had better luck using oven cleaner and a power washer. Maybe take it to a car wash. It removes the dirt, grease and much of the paint. It does contain sodium hydroxide which a salt and is corrosive and needs to be treated with vinegar afterward but does a good job but probably not in cold weather.
 
Scrape the large chunks off, pressure wash, use oven cleaner, pressure wash again. Repeat as necessary. Then use cup or flat brushes on an angle grinder, along with various types of brushes on a drill. You can also use paint stripper (methylene chloride) to remove the paint, but you still have to wire brush. Wash the stripper off first. None of the above is EPA approved. After getting all the paint and rust off, wash repeatedly with soap and water, 409 etc followed by wax and grease remover. Count on spending hours, which turn into days.
 
cnks and the others pretty much nailed it.

lots of scraping, pressure washing.. various mechanical brushes and degreasers and soaps..

lotsa elbow grease...
 

You need strong degreaser. Which is what oven cleaner is. Environmentally the loosened grease and oil is a much greater threat than oven cleaner. Before starting to wash spend some time underneath with a large screwdriver and a putty knife. Much faster than trying to make thick deposits wash off, and better for environment.
 

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