Cleaning K & N Air Filters

[svorich]

What can be used to clean the filters other than the cleaner sold by K&N?

Thanks
Rich

[Ken Potter]

I use "Power Clean" which is just a very strong degreaser. It's designed for cleaning driveways and is purple in color and biodegradable. Simple Green will also work but is more expensive at least for me in my area. Rinse thoroughly in the opposite direction of the airflow and blow or let air dry before reapplying the K&N oil.

[svono50]

I have used Castrol Super Clean..."the purple stuff" as they say. I spray my filter down and let it soak for 5-10 minutes and rinse out like Ken mentioned (inside to outside flow) and let air dry. Worked fine for the past several years with my filter.

[Ken Potter]

Yes the "Super Clean" and "Power Clean" purple stuff are the same product. Just with the power clean you're not buying the Castrol brand name and therefore it's usually cheaper. I use it for everything from parts to tires / wheels, engine / undercarriage, and stripping oxidized paint prior to rubbing out / polishing. Leaves no bugs, tar, oils, tree sap, or dead paint. You may have to rinse awhile longer until it stops foaming but gives a great starting point for detailing.

[NavySVO]

Greased Lightning is really great. I use it on anything and everything. I work on Gas Turbines for a living, and this stuff even takes out coked synthetic oil stains out of my uniforms. To date, I have not found anything else that would. Not even solvents. I just treat the stain like you would Shout. If you spray it on the filter, just let it soak for a bit, and then rinse it off. I used to do the same with the K&N I had on my old Shovelhead Harley. It may leave what feels like a "slippery" residue, but don't sweat it, that is just a characteristic of the stuff.

[pegasus.v.o]

I use "Purple power" . It is made by Clean Rite and is biodegradable. I used to use the Castrol stuff but found this to be just as good for less $. You can get it at Wal-Mart for around $5/gal. I used to be a detailer and this stuff and the Castrol version are the best all-around cleaner I have tried at any price. When cleaning interior fabrics I usually come behind it with some Simple Green lemon scent just for its better aroma.

[NavySVO]

Greased Lightning is also bio-degradable, and I have not found it to be harmful to colors, whether it be paint or fabric. But, as always, test it somewhere on the material in a inconspicous spot prior to full application. You should also see it "melt" mold and dirt off vinyl siding, making it easy to hose it off, vise a power sprayer. )