What breaks down automotive grease?

Author: Ezekiel Hand  |  Last update: Tuesday, July 1, 2025

WD-40 Specialist® Degreaser Great for use on automotive and truck engines, tractors, forklifts, gears and chains, industrial machinery, power equipment and other metal tools with heavy greasy soils & messes.

What is the best solvent for automotive grease?

A non-protic solvent .... And so hexanes would be a good degreaser, and would dissolve oils, and grease effectively... Given the flammability issues, another choice might be (non-flammable) methylene chloride, ie. CH2Cl2 CH 2 C l 2 , the which is DENSER than water...and would likewise dissolve greases... (it ...

What dissolves engine grease?

Brake cleaner, carburetor cleaner or other commercial aerosol engine de-greasers will definitely cut grease, but the cost per application gets expensive. Spray-on de-greasers cost more than $100 per gallon, if you do the math. Engine oil is a slow-acting solvent, and contains detergents that help dissolve grease.

How to remove hardened automotive grease?

Use a degreaser, preferably heavily diluted. Spray on the grease and scrub with a stiff brush, then wash off with a pressure washer. Keep repeating until it's all off.

What substance can dissolve grease?

Grease can be dissolved using a nonpolar solvent, such as hexane or mineral spirits. These solvents are effective at dissolving grease because they can interact with the nonpolar molecules found in grease, allowing them to break down and dissolve the substance.

How to Remove Dirt, Grease and Grime from Engine Parts

What breaks down grease fast?

Baking soda is alkali, which means it is effective at breaking down grease. Pour a little water and a sprinkle of baking soda (or a little bit of soda water) in a warm pan after use. After soaking, grease clean up will be so much easier. Use salt and rubbing alcohol to remove grease from fabrics.

What is the ideal solvent for grease?

If you want to completely remove grease (hydrocarbon based) use a hydrocarbon based solvent - white spirit, petrol or kerosene will do it without leaving much deposit. WD40 will leave a film of light oil (it's a solution of oil in a solvent).

What do mechanics use to remove grease?

Nettuno's Lavatute detergent is specially designed to remove all traces of grease and keep the characteristics and integrity of mechanics' garments intact.

Does isopropyl alcohol dissolve grease?

Isopropyl alcohol is a powerful degreasing agent, making it valuable in industries where machinery and equipment are exposed to grease and oil build-up. Whether it's in automotive, manufacturing, or food processing, isopropyl alcohol can effectively remove stubborn grease and ensure smooth machine operation.

How do you dissolve heavy grease?

Grease can be removed using white vinegar. Apply vinegar to a damp towel or sponge and soak the oily area. Next, clean it up. It should start to dissolve the grease almost immediately, but it's crucial to use it only on non-porous surfaces like glass and metal.

What is the most powerful grease remover?

Solvalene, the highest strength industrial degreaser, can conquer countless tough cleaning assignments. This industrial strength cleaner and degreaser is able to quickly penetrate and emulsify like no other cleaner and degreaser can.

Does WD-40 break down grease?

WD-40 is a lubricant dissolved in a solvent. While it can break down grease and oil to a certain degree, it also adds back some. This might be desirable if you are cleaning a hinge, conveyor, or corrosive-prone part, but not if you need it truly clean.

What is a cheap homemade engine degreaser?

Another method to make a highly efficient homemade engine degreaser is to combine two parts ammonia, two parts water, and one part liquid dish soap. Ensure that the mixture is well blended in a spray bottle, and use it to spray and scrub the engine as needed. Rinse the engine thoroughly after application.

What is the best chemical to dissolve grease?

Alkaline Degreasers. Formulated with alkaline substances such as sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide, alkaline degreasers are highly effective at breaking down grease and oil.

What's the best automotive degreaser?

GUNK Engine Degreaser Heavy Duty Gel

GUNK, makers of the toughest cleaners on the planet for over 55 years, is one of the #1 brands in engine degreasing.

Does Pine Sol dissolve grease?

Pine-Sol is a registered trade name of the Clorox Company for a line of household cleaning products, used to clean grease and heavy soil stains. Pine-Sol was based on pine oil when it was created in 1929 and during its rise to national popularity in the 1950s.

What liquid can dissolve grease?

White vinegar can remove grease. Wet a rag or sponge with vinegar and saturate the greasy area. Then, wipe it up.

Does hydrogen peroxide dissolve grease?

Use Hydrogen Peroxide to Tackle Tough Grime and Grease

Try mixing two parts baking soda with one part hydrogen peroxide and one part dish soap. The soap and hydrogen peroxide is more effective at dealing with grease compared to just baking soda and water.

Is 70% isopropyl alcohol a degreaser?

Applications for industrial-grade isopropyl alcohol include:

Strip surfaces of grime, grease, paint, & other coatings faster than low-concentration substitutes.

What do mechanics use as a degreaser?

Water-based degreasers are common in a trigger sprayer, or in gallon or drum containers for immersion or batch system cleaning. Specialized equipment like ultrasonic or vapor degreasers are available for more automated cleaning.

What spray dissolves grease?

WD-40 Specialist® Degreaser

Contains a proprietary industrial-strength solvent that quickly breaks down grease, yet unlike other harsh degreaser solvents is safe on most surfaces including metals, plastics, rubber, glass, aluminum and more (if unsure test on a small area first).

What enzymes remove grease?

Lipase enzymes attack stains containing fats and oils by cutting lipid molecules into smaller pieces. These smaller pieces mix more easily with surfactants, boosting the effect of surfactants in detergent and removing greasy stains far more effectively.

What breaks down hardened grease?

Vinegar and Baking Soda: A combination of vinegar and baking soda is a powerful homemade solution for grease stains. Vinegar cuts through grease, while baking soda acts as a mild abrasive. Procedure: Mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle.

Which chemical is commonly used for removing grease?

Ammonia (pH= 11) is a common alkaline cleaning agent. Ammonium hydroxide formed by the reaction of water and ammonia removes grease stains from clothes. The reaction can be completed as: N H 3 + H 2 O → N H 4 O H .

Will acetone dissolve grease?

POWERFUL: Acetone is a strong cleaning solvent; one which cuts through grease, waxes, resins and other residuals that can clog machinery or molds. Acetone breaks down these residuals, making clean-up of machinery and molds quick and simple. EVAPORATION: In general, Acetone will evaporate from surfaces quickly.

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