Cleaning Air Filters

teggers
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teggers 5/29/2008 8:03pm
5/29/2008 8:03pm
G-man wrote:
Ok yes we went through this on the old board and like everything there was many different opinions and with no SEARCH feature I have no...
Ok yes we went through this on the old board and like everything there was many different opinions and with no SEARCH feature I have no way of finding it..

I had been using diesel fuel, and it works ok but seems like it takes forever to dry.
I don’t have time to order anything either as I have a race this Sat night and need to clean ASAP. One suggestion that seemed good was from Steve47 (OxyClean).

I tried to find it at Costco, no luck. Does Wally World sell it, is it all the same? And it really works on the oil huh?

Thanks,
G
Directions? Bah Humbug!

http://lastotallyawesome.com/products.html

...and their Spray-on yellow cleaner in the smaller bottle takes the black streaks off your trailers and Motorhomes....
teggers
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teggers 5/29/2008 8:03pm
5/29/2008 8:03pm
G-man wrote:
Ok yes we went through this on the old board and like everything there was many different opinions and with no SEARCH feature I have no...
Ok yes we went through this on the old board and like everything there was many different opinions and with no SEARCH feature I have no way of finding it..

I had been using diesel fuel, and it works ok but seems like it takes forever to dry.
I don’t have time to order anything either as I have a race this Sat night and need to clean ASAP. One suggestion that seemed good was from Steve47 (OxyClean).

I tried to find it at Costco, no luck. Does Wally World sell it, is it all the same? And it really works on the oil huh?

Thanks,
G
Directions? Bah Humbug!

http://lastotallyawesome.com/products.html

...and their Spray-on yellow cleaner in the smaller bottle takes the black streaks off your trailers and Motorhomes....
txmxer
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txmxer 5/29/2008 8:10pm
5/29/2008 8:10pm
BDOG wrote:
I use Kerosene and dish soap on a recomend from CAM P- Works good.
that's what the twin air link says.

The Shop

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chuck317
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chuck317 5/29/2008 8:16pm
5/29/2008 8:16pm
theroyz71 wrote:
I've used kerosene, no toil, and oxyclean in the past but now I just use gas to break down the filter oil and then I wash...
I've used kerosene, no toil, and oxyclean in the past but now I just use gas to break down the filter oil and then I wash them with Castrol Super Clean or dish soap and then rinse them out. I do not let them soak in the gas and I have not had any problem with the gas dissolving the filter glue.

My biggest problem is figuring out what to do with the gas after I have used it to clean my filters.
kill ants with it
Big Lenny
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Big Lenny 5/29/2008 9:21pm
5/29/2008 9:21pm
How hard is it to just go buy a Ready-Filter?...
Scotty
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Scotty 5/29/2008 10:03pm
5/29/2008 10:03pm
Big Lenny wrote:
How hard is it to just go buy a Ready-Filter?...
Actually i just got a hookup on those.. I just got a case of them!
Craze
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Craze 5/30/2008 1:34am
5/30/2008 1:34am Edited Date/Time 4/16/2016 7:07pm
I use Uni air filter cleaner, and then soap & water. ...when I'm lazy, I just put in Race Ready filter...doesn't get any easier than that...LOL
gharmon
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gharmon 5/30/2008 2:39am
5/30/2008 2:39am
I use the kerosene in my parts washing tank. Kerosene is a lot easier to get the smell off my hands than gas is.
DEMON_CR
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DEMON_CR 5/30/2008 3:49am
5/30/2008 3:49am
No-Toil oil and No-Toil cleaner works great.
4mxonly
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4mxonly 5/30/2008 5:19am
5/30/2008 5:19am Edited Date/Time 5/30/2008 5:20am
Use mineral spirits (get at local hardware store), cheapest and most effective. Have used for years and does not damage filters.
mxracer32
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mxracer32 5/30/2008 5:45am
5/30/2008 5:45am
ready filters. its actually cheaper for me to buy their filters and get 2 rides out of them and toss them, instead of cleaning and re-oiling a regular filter. I believe that 661/sunline is coming out with a similar product this summer.
kaw rider9
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kaw rider9 5/30/2008 6:09am
5/30/2008 6:09am
I've got the best filter cleaning process in the world!!!!

First, Teach your Ol' Lady to clean said filter....

Second, Put sticky note on fridge that say's, Clean filter after every race....

Third, Teach Ol' Lady to change oil....

Fourth, Put sticky note on fridge that say's, Change oil after every race...

I haven't changed oil or cleaned a filter in over a year!!!! I also haven't washed my gear in over a year.... I love my Ol' Lady!!! She mow's the lawn too!!!!
Steve47
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Steve47 5/30/2008 6:13am
5/30/2008 6:13am
FreshTopEnd wrote:
The oxydol/oxy clean is the same substance as the No Toil cleaner, but a little cheaper I believe. G, I think you just find it with...
The oxydol/oxy clean is the same substance as the No Toil cleaner, but a little cheaper I believe. G, I think you just find it with then laundry soap at a general market. I don't know if it works directly on regular filter oil. I used kerosene for that before going with the No Toil.

G-man wrote:
Thanks for the explanation, that's what I was wondering too if Steve47 uses No Toil. I need to change my whole technique I think. I have...
Thanks for the explanation, that's what I was wondering too if Steve47 uses No Toil.

I need to change my whole technique I think. I have had good luck with the spray-on but it seems like the freaken PJ1 spray nozzle gives up the ghost! I even tried switching the nozzle thingy's. I hate wasting stuff!
OxyClean only works with No-Toil. I don't think it will do any good with regular oil!

No-Toil is really cool, I just wash them in my garage sink with Oxy-Clean. Rinse with water, then end up cleaner and your garage don't smell like shit when you let them dry.
-eagle-
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-eagle- 5/30/2008 6:17am
5/30/2008 6:17am
4mxonly wrote:
Use mineral spirits (get at local hardware store), cheapest and most effective. Have used for years and does not damage filters.
Me too. Then hot soapy water and a rinse.
Steve47
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Steve47 5/30/2008 6:17am
5/30/2008 6:17am Edited Date/Time 4/16/2016 7:08pm
teggers wrote:
I use the Twin Air bio Cleaner as well and the Pro Clean works awesome on it AND REAL Oil filters. Double duty. I tried the...
I use the Twin Air bio Cleaner as well and the Pro Clean works awesome on it AND REAL Oil filters. Double duty.

I tried the OxyClean and left them in for 2 days and my glue came apart, so on a fluke, I was walking through the Dollar store last week and found a product for a dollar and it works in less than 3 minutes and my filters are cleaner than new! All washed down the drain....all nature friendly. I hear normal laundry detergent works on Twin Air as well.

I think the name is LA's Totally Awesome Oxi-clean cleaner. I'll look later tonight...I have to do my filter for tomorrow.
Tim, you kept them in for 2 days?? Why?

Put a scoop of Oxy-Clean in a bucket, fill with 3-4 gals of water, rub the filter for 2-3 mins and rinse with water! How hard can that be? I found that letting the filter sit in the solution doesn't help one bit, just wash it with your hands rubbing it in and out.

Nice and clean, takes 5 mins for 2-3 filters. Dump the rest in the garage sink (stuff is env friendly) and you're good to go.
al8
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al8 5/30/2008 6:25am
5/30/2008 6:25am
I use the NO-Toil and throw six or seven in the washing machine and then in the dryer on low heat and they come out looking good as new.
G-man
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G-man 5/30/2008 6:40am
5/30/2008 6:40am
BobbyM wrote:
you've been cleaning filters for how long and you still don't know how to do it? afuckingmazing. gas always worked well then rinse with soapy water...dawn...
you've been cleaning filters for how long and you still don't know how to do it? afuckingmazing.

gas always worked well then rinse with soapy water...dawn works great.
Of course I know how, guess you're comprehension skills are like you're communication skills--grade school level.

I am looking to CHANGE from previous techniques (GAS, DIESEL FUEL) as I don't like my garage to smell like it could blow up with the extra filters on the shelf in a bag. And yes just so you CLEARLY understand I use the Hot soap/water rinse too.

Thanks to all the other replies, No-Toil/Oxy Clean seems the way to go.

Pit Row

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Adam43
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Adam43 5/30/2008 7:54am
5/30/2008 7:54am
I have a parts washing tank with a small shelf inside, and filled up with a few inches of diesel. I always use it, takes about 2 minutes to clean the filter. Squeeze out the excess fuel. Blow a little compressed air through it. Oil 'er up and ready to go. Total time = 10 minutes.

I've been doing it for ten years, no major issues with filter breakdown, etc. I think it's hilarious seeing people drying a fucking filter for 2 days.
CamP
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CamP 5/30/2008 8:12am
5/30/2008 8:12am
Adam43 wrote:
I have a parts washing tank with a small shelf inside, and filled up with a few inches of diesel. I always use it, takes about...
I have a parts washing tank with a small shelf inside, and filled up with a few inches of diesel. I always use it, takes about 2 minutes to clean the filter. Squeeze out the excess fuel. Blow a little compressed air through it. Oil 'er up and ready to go. Total time = 10 minutes.

I've been doing it for ten years, no major issues with filter breakdown, etc. I think it's hilarious seeing people drying a fucking filter for 2 days.
If you aren't using soap and water to follow up the Diesel, you are leaving about a 1/4 cup of dirt in your filter every time you service your filter.
CamP
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CamP 5/30/2008 8:15am
5/30/2008 8:15am
BobbyM wrote:
you've been cleaning filters for how long and you still don't know how to do it? afuckingmazing. gas always worked well then rinse with soapy water...dawn...
you've been cleaning filters for how long and you still don't know how to do it? afuckingmazing.

gas always worked well then rinse with soapy water...dawn works great.
G-man wrote:
Of course I know how, guess you're comprehension skills are like you're communication skills--grade school level. I am looking to CHANGE from previous techniques (GAS, DIESEL...
Of course I know how, guess you're comprehension skills are like you're communication skills--grade school level.

I am looking to CHANGE from previous techniques (GAS, DIESEL FUEL) as I don't like my garage to smell like it could blow up with the extra filters on the shelf in a bag. And yes just so you CLEARLY understand I use the Hot soap/water rinse too.

Thanks to all the other replies, No-Toil/Oxy Clean seems the way to go.
In 37 years of riding, the only time I've had dirt/silt pass through a filter is with a no-toil filter and oil.
G-man
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G-man 5/30/2008 8:23am
5/30/2008 8:23am Edited Date/Time 4/16/2016 7:08pm
CamP wrote:
In 37 years of riding, the only time I've had dirt/silt pass through a filter is with a no-toil filter and oil.
"If you aren't using soap and water to follow up the Diesel, you are leaving about a 1/4 cup of dirt in your filter every time you service your filter. "

You're killing me Cam!!!! Woohoo

Yes you need to use soap & water but no way is there a "1/4 cup of dirt in your filter every time you service your filter. " I usually just see some fine sand/dirt in the bucket but not 1/4 cup!

Then the no-toil bash, are you serious or exagerating a bit too....
CamP
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CamP 5/30/2008 8:37am
5/30/2008 8:37am Edited Date/Time 4/16/2016 7:08pm
I don't service my air filters until they are really caked with dirt so I get a lot of dirt out of the filter during the soap and water wash. Maybe more like an 1/8th cup, but it's quite a bit of dirt that I wouldn't want to leave in the filter before I oil it.


Not exaggerating on dirt/silt passing through the No-toiled filter either. I was using it in '01 on a 380SX and if you've ever serviced a side airbox KTM you know that you get a excellent view of the airboot when you remove the filter. After a particularly dusty day of riding, there was dust visible in the airboot that had passed through the no-toil filter. There are quite a few guys on TT that have experienced the same thing with NT. NT is certainly easy to work with but not the best when you need protection from extreme dust.


mikem
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mikem 5/30/2008 9:37am
5/30/2008 9:37am Edited Date/Time 4/16/2016 7:08pm
Not to sound like a complete noob, because I'm not but, my new bike came with a K&N filter and I have no idea how to clean the thing. Any suggestions.
racer369
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racer369 5/30/2008 9:48am
5/30/2008 9:48am
croom mx wrote:
I use plain old gasoline , then wash with dish soap and a hose , comes out clean, clean.
Foster576 wrote:
Have you ruined the glue on any of your filters? Ive used plain gas twice and both times my filters came apart.
You dont let them soak. just put ONE in and wash then straight to a bucket of warm water and DAWN. then rinse with water. been using same filters for Years!
todder
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todder 5/30/2008 9:52am
5/30/2008 9:52am
croom mx wrote:
I use plain old gasoline , then wash with dish soap and a hose , comes out clean, clean.
I've been using plain gas for 20 years, then rinse them in dishsoap, rinse good, dump the filter oil on when still wet, the oil displaces the water when squezzed out. grease the rim and install. Never had a dirt related failure in 20+ years of doing it the same way.
G-man
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G-man 5/30/2008 9:53am
5/30/2008 9:53am Edited Date/Time 4/16/2016 7:08pm
mikem wrote:
Not to sound like a complete noob, because I'm not but, my new bike came with a K&N filter and I have no idea how to...
Not to sound like a complete noob, because I'm not but, my new bike came with a K&N filter and I have no idea how to clean the thing. Any suggestions.
Go to an Auto Parts or M/C shop. You will need to buy the K&N filter cleaner, then rinse with warm water. Then Spray with K&N filter oil.
Starter Bob
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Starter Bob 5/30/2008 10:14am
5/30/2008 10:14am Edited Date/Time 4/16/2016 7:08pm
mikem wrote:
Not to sound like a complete noob, because I'm not but, my new bike came with a K&N filter and I have no idea how to...
Not to sound like a complete noob, because I'm not but, my new bike came with a K&N filter and I have no idea how to clean the thing. Any suggestions.
The K&N will be fine if you don't ride anywhere there is a very fine dust (like here in UT). That stuff will go right through. Also, if you have fuel injection, the dust that goes through will plug up your injection system.

Foam filters are the best. Just replace them about once a year or so depending on how much you ride.

I use the gas method to clean and immediately drop them into soapy water to wash (never had the glue come apart). Let them dry overnight in the garage, then wash them with Dawn the next day twice in the sink. It gets everything out and the wife doesn't get pissed about the gas smell in the kitchen.

The secret is to have two to three air filters for each OHV. I make it worth my while and clean five to fifteen filters at a time.
Starter Bob
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Starter Bob 5/30/2008 10:16am
5/30/2008 10:16am
About the grease thing. We have a military surplus store close and I can get "GOB Grease" for 50 cents a can. It make great air filter grease.
CamP
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CamP 5/30/2008 11:47am
5/30/2008 11:47am
About 15 years ago, Tom Morgan told me that greasing the rim was unnecessary. He was right.
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