K&N Filter cleaner substitutes

[Merlin68F100]

I seem to use more cleaner than oil so I have extra cans of the K&N oil. I could order a gallon of the K&N cleaner but thought I would ask and see if anybody is using anything else. Simple Green, Purple Stuff or something else.

[mrtleavitt]

I would stick with the name brand K&N cleaner. A good friend of mine tried to use a substitute on his K&N on a performance 4 wheeler (2005 Honda 450R) and it ruined his filter and fauled his plug. Basically it ran like crap for about a month and then it finally cleaned out.

[green68250]

I have never used anything other than the K&N stuff. I would thing that any degreaser type cleaner would work. I was going to try the orange scented degreaser when I ran out of the K&N stuff. The K&N cleaner looks just like the orange scented stuff. As long as you wash it out really good and let it dry, you should be fine.

Corbin

[FoMoCo]

I let mine soak in water with laundry detergent. The surfactants in the detergent will make the dirt float of the filter. Then rinse with cold water and let it dry. The local Harley dealer sells K-N aerosol oil in large cans.

Nick

[papabug71]

Take it to the carwash & soak it with the "tire cleaner" stuff. You know the green stuff. Its just a mild de-greaser. Then, with the wand on rinse, at LOW PRESSURE, FROM A DISTANCE, clean out the filter. Dont pull back on the trigger as you just need the low pressure to clean it up. Let it dry & oil it back up & your good to go.

Obviously if you just attack the filter like its a dirty floor mat your going to tear it up, so its best if you go easy on it.

Been doing it this way for 10 years now & never had a problem one with a K&N filter. The one in my Dodge right now is 7 years old & its still like new.

[Thunderfoot]

I've always just used "DAWN" dishwashing soap, and wash mine out in the sink. the Dawn cuts grease (and the K&N oil) and cleans it just fine, rinse it out good and let dry like normal, new K&N oil and go.
Now my UNI filter I have on my duramax, well the oil used on them this wont work, I have to use the cleaner they supply as the dish soap wont even touch it.