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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Body, Glass & Paint => Topic started by: exilous on April 22, 2009, 08:19:33 pm

Title: Engine compartment firewall.
Post by: exilous on April 22, 2009, 08:19:33 pm

Ok I wasn't quite sure where to post this. I should be removing the cab from the truck over the next few days and either way i'm going to be painting the engine compartment. And you know all that black "tar" like stuff thats sprayed all over the firewall on the seams and around the heater box? what is the best way to remove that stuff and clean it all off? I would prefer to not paint over it. I figure while the cab is off then would be the best time to clean it and get it all off. Thanks for any help.

Title: Re: Engine compartment firewall.
Post by: VileZambonie on April 22, 2009, 08:22:59 pm

scrape it off with a scraper and then grind it down with a sanding disk.

Title: Re: Engine compartment firewall.
Post by: exilous on April 22, 2009, 08:27:36 pm

Hey i noticed your located in connecticut...i am too what part? i'm in the hamden new haven area right off the parkway.

Title: Re: Engine compartment firewall.
Post by: VileZambonie on April 22, 2009, 08:28:33 pm

Eastern CT. Tolland area. Glad to have another member here from CT

Title: Re: Engine compartment firewall.
Post by: 80stepsideguy on April 23, 2009, 02:26:40 am

What i used was the 3M roloc discs.There like 2-3 inches in diamater and that TAR is a PITA to get off.I went thru alot of them discs to remove it all off.

thanks
pat

Title: Re: Engine compartment firewall.
Post by: 69byrd on April 23, 2009, 08:39:35 am

I put a little heat on it then scraped most of it off. The rest I sanded off like Pat said.

Title: Re: Engine compartment firewall.
Post by: exilous on April 23, 2009, 08:30:34 pm

Ya i tried the scraping and sanding it off and it is a PITA. I wanted to see if any of your more experienced guys had a trick up your sleeve thats all. Haha. Cause I don't want to leave that black crap on there when I paint the engine compartment.

Title: Re: Engine compartment firewall.
Post by: choptop on April 24, 2009, 08:05:07 am

Scraped off as much as possible, then use WD-40 and some rags to wipe it off with. I spray the WD40 on the rag, and then wipe it down. May have to let the wd40 soak on the are for a bit if it is real stubborn.  This is real good for removing tar off of the body as well.

Title: Re: Engine compartment firewall.
Post by: exilous on April 24, 2009, 09:00:06 pm

i've never thought to use WD-40 to remove tar. I used to be a roofer so I know all about tar haha. We have this stuff called Karnak Kleaner.  Maybe I will give that a try on that black stuff see if that works on it it has somewhat the same consistancy as WD-40 only it smells like oranges. haha

Title: Re: Engine compartment firewall.
Post by: VileZambonie on April 26, 2009, 02:56:43 pm

Karnak works good. i used it when the roof leaked tar all over everything at work.

Title: Re: Engine compartment firewall.
Post by: Russ130 on April 28, 2009, 08:31:41 am

An option to Karnak Kleaner is Lestoil as a roofer for 25yrs I have always used that to clean my hands and tools from the Karnack tar.