Hey Chris
Lye or sodium hydroxide is better none as CAUSTIC SODA, not a chemical compound you want to be playing with, i know because we use it at work and beleive me if you get in on your skin it will strip it straight off. make sure if you do use it you have a look at this first,
http://msds.chem.ox.ac.uk/SO/sodium_hydroxide.html. Or if you can just use Cilit Bank "Bank and the job is done". You racing on Saturday night mate?
steve