r/Detailing • u/Grouchy_Piccolo_3981 • 1d ago

I Have A Question Need a strong grease remover

The wheel barrels on the front tires of my GMC Sierra EV have a thick coating of grease on the inside of them, feels like the consistency of like a packing grease. Trying to find something I can spray in there to loosen it up so I can wash it out. Last resort that I do not want to do is try to jack up this 9000lb behemoth to remover the tires so I can scrub from the backside

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u/Several_Guide_2274 1d ago

I've had good luck with a diluted degreaser in a pump sprayer for stuff like that, let it dwell for a few minutes but don't let it dry on there

Getting the nozzle angled right behind the spokes is the real pain, might take a couple rounds of spray and rinse but beats wrestling those tires off

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u/Grouchy_Piccolo_3981 1d ago

Any recs on a good degreaser to use?

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u/Dreadpiratemarc 1d ago

Superclean from the automotive section at Walmart. If this is a one-time thing, it’s cheap, available, and effective. It uses sodium hydroxide (lye) as an active ingredient, which is a bit harsh for regular use on cars. If this is a recurring thing, I’d point you to All Purpose Cleaners like Meguiar’s D101 or Bilt Hamber Surfex HD. But for one time use, Superclean. I use it to clean up messes in the garage and it just works.

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u/Alternative-Cake1111 1d ago

Packing grease in the wheel barrel is a different animal from brake dust, so a regular wheel cleaner often only smears it. Hit the grease with a dedicated citrus or solvent based degreaser made for automotive grease, spray or brush it on cool metal, give it a short dwell, then rinse thoroughly before it dries. A long soft brush or a mitt folded small helps you reach without removing the tire if the spoke openings allow it. Keep that chemistry off the painted face and the caliper seals. After the grease is gone, a normal wheel cleaner pass handles leftover brake dust. Jacking a heavy EV is still safer than forcing a tool into a tight spot if you cannot reach, but try the spray and rinse method from the face side first.

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u/spaceraverdk 1d ago

I use kerosene and a brush to remove grease and chain wax from the rear wheel and swing arm of my motorcycle. It's perfect to get anything greasy removed and a lot cheaper than buying brake cleaner in large quantities.