I am in the middle of reinstalling my head and I cant seem to get the teflon coating that was left behind from the old headgasket off. A razorblade gets some off on the block (too scared to use it on the head), but still leaves some material that won't come off with gasket remover/brake cleaner/alcohol/lighter fluid and a rag.

I tried an ultrafine scotchbrite pad (07448, used on clearcoat before polishing) on a very small part, and it seemed to work, BUT, I don't want to risk getting the grit in my engine. Plus, I can see it leaving marks perpendicular to the machining marks. I was under the impression that it shouldn't touch the metal...

The gasket material is too thin to use any type of scraper. It's barely there, but it is still there.

Help!

 

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to clean this up better without any type of abrasive (Scotchbrite, sandpaper, etc.)? I don't want to create any low spots. I've very carefully scraped off all I could with a razor blade, but there still seems to be dark marks all over the head.



I've tried brake cleaner, acetone, isopropyl alcohol, gasket remover, nothing seems to work. Why is this material so difficult to remove?

 

You just haven't found the right solvent yet. Some others you might try: gasoline, kerosene, toluene (aka toluol), "Goof Off"...

 

I ended up just using scotchbrite by hand. Worked very well and I can still see the oem machining marks, so I know I didn't take off any metal.

 

Did you use some fluid like oil?

 

I was switching between 10w-30 oil and brake cleaner, the latter working better. I just need make sure to clean it very well, I don't want silicon carbide bits in my engine.

 

STP carb spray cleaner has five different chemicals in it and works great in breaking up deposits. Other than that, you would really need to use a scotch pad on an air tool to really get the surfaces clean (which is usually only available to a repair shop).

 

Finished up with the scotch pad today. Ended up putting the entire head in the bathtub and using a nylon brush to scrub it down with hot water and dish soap. It's sparkling clean now.

 

Good as new!

But now you're going to have to scrub the rest of the engine...