Help! How do I get this grease off?

So I have searched around but have not been able to land on a solid answer. I have a trail of grease that is all down the driver side of my truck. I drive semi for a living so I’m pretty sure I drove into a bit of fifth wheel grease (pretty thick, sticky grease that doesn’t like to come off of anything). So as soon as I got on the highway to go home it apparently strung all down the side of my truck. I am not 100% sure what type of solvent or method to use to get this thick grease off without damaging the finish. If any of you have some advice or experience with something similar I would very much appreciate it. Thanks!!

 

This sounds like a job for a wheel cleaner. What say you, TW detailers? This sub-forum has been quiet lately. Spring is right around the corner. Time to bust out some chemicals.

When you have stubborn grime to deal with, I've always found Mothers paint safe wheel cleaners to be among the best as far as big box offerings go. That's where I would start.

 

To be honest, if you have greasy sh!t to deal with, pick up some LA Totally Awesome at a dollar store. A degreaser is a degreaser. It degreases. Use it where it needs to be used and nowhere else.

 

Car wash that has the hand held power washers. Blast it, rinse, repeat! Bring a pocket full of quarters

 

Degreasers will damage the clear coat.

 

Nah, degreasers won't damage the clear coat-- within reason. Clean what you need to clean, then rinse thoroughly.

*Do not apply and let soak in degreaser*

But in anticipation of this sort of suggestion, I said "use it where it needs to be used". What i didn't say was remove promptly. So, use it to clean off residue, then rinse.

Use degreaser to get nasty shit off the surface. And rinse the residue off in a timely manner.

Additionally, no, a degreaser won't "damage a clear coat". Ivory dish dish soap is a degreaser. Pour a bottle on your hood. See if it "damages your clear coat". It won't. Pour a bottle of LA Totally awesome on it and let it sit... it might damage your clear coat.

Exposure time and chemical concentration are significant.

 

This was the first thing I tried. I used the tire/engine cleaner setting on the unit to blast it first. Then used high pressure soap followed by a thorough rinse. It helped to get some of the thicker streaks off but the residue is mostly still there. That’s why my thought was that the next step would be some sort of solvent with a microfiber cloth and some elbow grease.

This sounds like solid logic and this will likely be my next step as we will have a slight break in the Ohio “spring” weather this weekend. Thank you for all the reply’s. I will post up the strategy that ends up working out best!

 

Personally, based on what you've said you tried so far, I'd probably go with a weak solvent like Mineral Spirits or isopropyl Alcohol. Used in moderation, neither will damage your clear coat and both should dissolve the grease.

One big caution no matter what you use. Be very careful not to use something too abrasive like a shop rag and don't apply a lot of pressure. Let the solvent dissolve the grease instead of trying to rub it off. If you do get too aggressive, you will marr the surface and that will require polishing to straighten it out. Lastly, make sure to apply a good coat of wax or synthetic sealant to seal the surface when you're done.

 

This is great advice.

I would go to a self wash with a bunch of quarters and get a nice big bucket of warm water (they make screw lids for 5-gallon bucks so you can fill at home at tote with you) with a coupl wash mits.
Blast the truck with a foam cannon, gently brush over with the mitt, blast with the foam cannon... keep going until it’s gone.


Take your time.

 

^^ Good advice here.

 

Gamma seal lid! I love mine for taking my soapy bucket to the car wash. They usually sell them at big box home improvement stores (Lowe's, Home Depot, etc).

Round one of quarters to blast off grit and grime. Then wash with the bucket and a mitt. Round two of quarters to rinse. Done.

 

Hi don’t know if you resolved this and what I am going to tell you is going to sound weird at first but it is very safe on paint and will break down heavy grease.

Spray the grease area with WD40 then wipe with a micro fiber towel.

After this is done degrease the panel with 50/50 blend of IPA and water.

Polish if necessary, then seal and wax

 

This guy

 

Thanks for the reply. I haven’t had the time or weather yet to focus on it, damn Ohio spring. I will definitely have to try this out. As soon as I get it cleaned up I will let you know how it worked.

 

I hear yeah, the weather here in Philly has been brutal also, I am normally in full detail mode by now as I do this as a side business, but this year is killing me. You know what is going to happen to us this year we will go from winter to summer probably. But I will take summer over winter any day.

 

Oh I’m sure that’s what will happen. That’s what seemed to happen last year too. We get a few speckled days of 50-60 degree spring in between late snow showers and overnight lows in the teens. Then the next thing you know it’s 85-90 degrees everyday. I’m more than ready for it though.