cosmoline removal

[naplesE30]

I bought my 91 318is about a month ago and am going to finally tackle detailing the engine bay. I want to clean off all the cosmoline, I was wondering what works the best. Thanks guys.

[hoevesruperd]

i've used steel wool on the intake/TB/valve cover
i didnt remove any cosmoline on the painted surfaces since i plan on respray next summer. Dunk degreaser will help you but might not take it all out.

[haledj]

I hate cosmoline...

Try something citrus based, sometimes that works.

[jpod999]

Brake cleaner + steel wool works alright.

[AL GReeNeRy]

engine degreaser, brake cleaner, wire brush and a power washer

[tjts1]

Remove the manifold and valve cover, sand, clean, paint.
http://www.m42club.com/forums/showpost.php?p=27243&postcount=78

If I have cosmoline on the ignition wires does that mean they are original to the car?

LOL

[AlpineRob]

What is cosmoline? yellow residue over everything?

[RedHoodRidah]

Its like a clear coat they put on the engine to make it look all purty and stuff from factory. After a while the clear start chipping and with the heat from the engine it starts turning yellow and makes your engine look horrible.

[1991 E30 M42]

Purple power, wire brush, and a pressure washer worked great for me.

[bmwman91]

I have used JASCO paint stripper and it works like a dream. The downside is that you want elbow-length gloves, goggles, a hat you don't care about, and a face-mask. This stuff BURNS when you get it on you!

Some of the citrus-based stripper products work as well.

Someone told me that gasoline works, but I didn't want to kill all my brain cells.

[OnMy2ndE30]

What is cosmoline? yellow residue over everything?

Cosmoline was put on these cars from the factory when they shipped them across the Atlantic to keep the metal from corroding. It is merely a preservative that the US dealers seldom removed.

[Cobra Jet]

If going in the "way-back" machine, when these cars did arrive from overseas to the Dealers - HOW did or what process was used when the Dealers removed the cosmoline when these vehicles were new?

[bmwman91]

As of Monday, I found that mineral spirits and an old toothbrush work fairly well on Cosmoline (cleaning diff cover). Of course, you have to wash the hell out of the parts afterward since mineral spirits like to make an oily mess.

[gearheadE30]

Use WD-40 on the thin stuff, and pour water that was recently boiling on everything else that isn't plastic or electronic. If you ever look into older guns, they use the same coatings of cosmoline, so they have some pretty good techniques.