15 replies to this topic

[peasoup39]

About to start the laborious job of cleaning all components under the bonnet when the engine is out and stripped. I have a small shot blast cabinet for the steel bits but there will be a lot of aluminum components that with need degreasing and cleaning such as distributor, starter motor ends, alternator etc. Other than a stiff brush can anyone recommend a good cleaning product that will bring back the sparkle.I have tried alloy wheel cleaner in the past but they tend to be glorified soap solutions.

[ACDodd]

Degrease in brake cleaner for lightly soiled components. Heavily oiled use paraffin. Use brake cleaner to wash off the parraffin residue.

Then for a top notch job, send the parts to be vapour blasted. They will come out as new clean.

Ac

Edited by ACDodd, 06 January 2021 - 10:56 PM.

[steeley]

Ac

I feel sorry for your pets

[GraemeC]

This is good stuff:

http://www.raceglaze...engine-cleaner/

 

As is this:

https://www.frost.co...stings-cleaner/

 

Soaking the parts in either really brings them up well, obviously remove loose dirt and grease first.

They are quite strong chemicals - the second strips plating from steel which then flash rusts very quickly afterwards.

[cal844]

Ac

I feel sorry for your pets

As do I 😳🤣 better stick to minis eh?! 😁🤣

[Spider]

Then for a top notch job, send the pets to be vapour blasted. They will come out as new clean.
 

 

 

I had this 850 Gearbox pet Vapor Blasted and they do come up very vice as you can see

 

 

 

[Norfolk Boy]

Then for a top notch job, send the pets to be vapour blasted. They will come out as new clean.

I had this 850 Gearbox pet Vapor Blasted and they do come up very vice as you can see

Do you add a clear coat after vapour blasting or leave as is??

[nev100]

I was told NOT to have the inside vapour blasted....

[Dusky]

Depends what you need to clean . I used to sell jizer from swarfega on my previous job. Perfect for grease, and water soluble so Greta is glad too. If you need to clean corrosion I’d get it blasted.

[Spider]

Do you add a clear coat after vapour blasting or leave as is??

 

I generally don't like trying to paint Alloy bits as over time, it will come off, so no. I leave them as is.

 

 

I was told NOT to have the inside vapour blasted....

 

I have heard similar and I'm not totally sure in the thinking behind that, but like anything, after receiving these parts back, they still got a good washing to remove anything that shouldn't be there.

[Andy Bee]

If you have a blast cabinet you just need to change the blast media to a glass bead type. this will clean all your aluminium parts. Not quite as good as vapour blasting but not far off and if you already have a cabinet will cost less. i have just done my gearbox case inside and out (case stripped) looks great.

[MaximMini]

Hi Andy,

When dry blasting aluminium with glass bead, glass particles will remain in the aluminium surface and may find their way out when the gearbox is in operation. I therefore do not blast the internals but have build provisions so that I can still blast the outer surfaces. Blasting media that will inadvertently find its way inside the casings can later been cleaned out.

Just my humble opinion.

[OzOAP]

I use Aluclean at work. In tank, heated to 40° and airline attachment to 'agitate'

[dodge44]

This stuff from Machine Mart works a treat:-

 

https://www.machinem...ASABEgLzpPD_BwE

 

[super6al]

I have the same problem. I have a cheap media blast cabinet & a soda blaster but find degreasing a pain. Has anyone used an ultrasonic cleaner?

Alan