6 replies to this topic

[Bobbins]

What are people’s thoughts on the best way to clean up the gearbox, transfer case and clutch cover?

Previously I’ve tried various cleaning products with mixed results, I’ve used abrasives, rotary wire brushes, and my last 998 rebuild I prepped, acid-etch primed and painted everything silver.

I’m currently rebuilding my 1275 and I’m considering whether a more professional job might be worthwhile. Has anyone tried media blasting the cases, or maybe had them soda blasted (of which I have zero experience)?

Are there any other options?

[Midas Mk1]

If you’re prepared to strip them both including bearing races, vapour blasting brings them out lovely. At work we do this on most and has alloy / aluminium parts looking spotless.

I’ve had painted gearboxes before, after a while it flakes and ends up looking a mess.

[Spider]

If you want a clean case you can have them soda blasted, it's usually a lot cheaper than Vapor Blasting, though it remains dull. Vapor Blasting does come up nice but doesn't stay that way.

 

This one here has been soda blasted (sorry, it's not the best angle)

 

 

and this one was Vapor Blasted

 

 

That was done a few years back and doesn't look as good as that now. The Soda Blasted one looks more or less the same.

[Bobbins]

Thank you for the replies, wow the vapor blasting does look superb it's just whether it's worth it for the short term gain. Clearly I need to investigate some costs.

 

Fears confirmed re painting!

[KTS]

i had mine vapour blasted and treat it with ACF50 to stop it oxidising

[Spider]

I haven't done either of these but will be trying at some point. One is Powder Coating - while it can be hit and miss (usually miss) on steel, it's extremely effective on alloy - just ask any abrasive blaster. You will want to be sure it's properly masked off where you don't want it though. I have seen a Clutch Cover and Flywheel Housing done in PC after about 6 years (on a daily driver), it did look very good.

 

The other is anodising, but may need the raw casting cleaned (lighting ground) up to be effective.

[Shooter63]

The last gearbox case I had vapour blasted cost £80.00 that was for a double flush

Shooter