Oil soaked metal paint prep advice.

[Invisible Hand]

I'm painting an axle for my jeep, and at the last minute decided to coat the pinion yoke as well. I had to use penetrating oil (PB Blaster) to remove one of the bolts. Half of the yoke is now saturated in oil. It wasn't the best idea but it beats a broken bolt head lol.

Does any one have a suggestion for prepping this for paint? I'm afraid any harsh chemicals like brake cleaner will find its way on the still curing axle paint. I've tried soap and water with little luck. I'm pretty sure I'm SOL with this.

Below are some photos. Yes there's an axle in my bathroom. The weather's not ideal for painting in the garage.

Thanks guys. This forum is amazing. I spend a lot of time on here just reading and learning from threads.

 

[Gerald O]

I'd suggest a two step process. First clean with clean mineral spirits (real mineral spirits, not mineral spirits substitute), maybe use a little steel wool or wire brush to get the loose rust off. Then blow dry. Then, since its rusty, brush on some phosphoric acid based rust converter like etch & prep. This won't hurt your seal right away but you probably still want to avoid brushing directly onto the seal area. Rinse that off thoroughly after it's turned the rust black and then thoroughly air dry it again. Should be ready for paint then.

If you don't want to use the rust converter, you could liberally apply Coca Cola for a day or two and rinse that real well.

Worst case, it's a friggin yoke on a Jeep. Paint's not gonna last forever under there anyway.

 

[Invisible Hand]

I'd suggest a two step process. First clean with clean mineral spirits (real mineral spirits, not mineral spirits substitute), maybe use a little steel wool or wire brush to get the loose rust off. Then blow dry. Then, since its rusty, brush on some phosphoric acid based rust converter like etch & prep. This won't hurt your seal right away but you probably still want to avoid brushing directly onto the seal area. Rinse that off thoroughly after it's turned the rust black and then thoroughly air dry it again. Should be ready for paint then.

If you don't want to use the rust converter, you could liberally apply Coca Cola for a day or two and rinse that real well.

Worst case, it's a friggin yoke on a Jeep. Paint's not gonna last forever under there anyway.

Awesome thanks man! I've been having great success with rustoleum rusty metal primer and have a ton on hand.

I'll pickup some minimal spirits and give that a shot.

You're absolutely right. It's a jeep and going to get banged up. I just figured I might as well coat it while I'm at it.

BTW. The paint I'm using is Rustoleum hammered. Both the spray can and brush on are the toughest enamel paint I've ever seen. It brushes/ rolls on real thick and touches up seamlessly do to the texture. Just wanted to share. Below is a close up.

 

[Gerald O]

Looks great! I like rustoleum for undercarriage parts. Cheap, tough, and easy to touch up.

 

[slow]

that does look great. I was going to go flat black on my Dana 60's under my H3 this weekend, but I may do the hammered instead.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I've used some lacquer thinner to clean parts before painting. It tends to dry relatively nicely and cleanly.


Are you single or was the wife just gone ?

 

[mrvm]

Are you single or was the wife just gone ?

Good thing the paint dries fast as she might be away for a only few days

 

[countryroad82]

Scrub it down with purple power, dawn, whatever you have handy. Then hit it with a wire brush. Clean it off with thinner and paint till your happy!

 

[csp]

that does look great. I was going to go flat black on my Dana 60's under my H3 this weekend, but I may do the hammered instead.

Flat paints have very little solids in them and provide very little protection to the metal underneath. Granted if you wheel the H3 it's going to be scraped off, but just some info to consider.

 

[KDXSR5]

I have hit oily metal with the torch before to burn it away. Then scrub the residue and wipe clean. Ready for paint.

 

[Invisible Hand]

I've used some lacquer thinner to clean parts before painting. It tends to dry relatively nicely and cleanly.


Are you single or was the wife just gone ?

Good thing the paint dries fast as she might be away for a only few days

Hahaha! I'm single, no wife. I never thought of my house as a "bachelor pad" until a "lady friend" commented on it last week.

I guess car parts in the master bathroom, a 65" TV in the master bedroom, and a 1,300 lb gun safe next to that TV meet the definition.

 

[Invisible Hand]

Thank's for all of the advice guys. I'll put it to good use tomorrow.

 

[T_R]

I would set it on jackstands with the pinion flange pointed down. Tape off the fresh paint with blue painters tape. Spray the oily parts with brake clean and let drip dry. Remove tape as soon as the brake clean flashes dry.