55chevy

iTrader: (6)

Is there a way to clean up the aluminum parts such as the water pump and alternator bracket without doing an all out polishing on them? My engine is pretty ugly at this point. Any liquid magic out there?
Thanks,

stealth71

iTrader: (15)

Depends what you mean by clean up. I would just scrub it down w/ simple green or something then hit it w/ a wire brush on the drill.

55chevy

iTrader: (6)

The main thing is the water pump and some of the other aluminum parts are tarnished and look bad. Will the simple green hurt the hoses or paint on the frame?

Lysander

iTrader: (4)

I've been told that oven cleaner brightens up dirty aluminum, but don't let it touch rubber or plastic.

slow

iTrader: (7)

somebody did the full aluminum suspension of thier RX7 (or C5 IRS) with some wheel acid, and it looked awesome, if you search for it, they may be able to tell you what exact product was used.

Ryan

55chevy

iTrader: (6)

Ok thanks. I have cleaned my pontoons on my boat with muratic acid but don't know if I'll get that in my painted car. I may put a few items and try it.

Thanks again for all the help.

slow

iTrader: (7)

They had taken all of the suspension off of the car, before it was used, i agree paint, and acid do not mix

Ryan

forcd ind

iTrader: (7)

man, be careful with muratic acid-i had a short block that had some surface rust on the outside of the block-i broke out the acid, put some on a rag and cleaned the block-next day the cyls., cam, rods, just about everything had rust, plus stuff a few feet away-i guess just the fumes carry and make stuff rust up

wolfy

iTrader: (1)

i've always been told not to use simple green cause it's corrosive, even though i've yet to see anything bad come from using it. autozone has some stuff called "aircraft remover" that works EXCELLENT for cleaning aluminum and steel, but it will take paint of with ease.

if it were me, i'd probably spend a saturday and pull it apart and use aircraft remover on the brackets and stuff, then use Gunk Engine Brite on anything you can't get outta the car...

T-56SLPSS

The best i have found is to use etching aluminum wheel cleaner and scrub while it is on. Hose it off and then blow it clean with a air compressor and it will turn the aluminum almost white. Used on my little brothers off roading toyota with mud and grease caked to the motor and it worked better than anything i have tried but you have to blow the water off with air to get the super clean look.

91LS1T56

i used meguiers hot rims wheel cleaner and a soft bristle brush NO WIRE BRUSH ! worked great ill try to post some before and after pics

a10beav

Be careful what you use because you can stain the aluminum. Get a Mothers Power Ball and use some paint scratch remover or low grit rubbing compund. Also, you can use a window cleaner without amonia.

Novas Forever

I washed my LS1 down with Simple Green while it was on the stand and it did really good.

T-56SLPSS

The etching wheel cleaner will make it look the best it just depends on how much effort you want to spend to make it look good. Simple Green takes grease off easy but the wheel cleaner digs in to give it a real clean look.

Beau B

iTrader: (6)

I dunno if you are suppose to or not but if I am tearing an engine apart I usually clean everything with brake cleaner off of the block so I do not have to worry about getting it somewhere it shouldnt be. It works great, but definately do not get it on paint etc..

86 Silverado LS1

iTrader: (2)

http://www.eastwoodco.com/shopping/p...d=speedblaster

I used a speed blaster and glass beads on mine. Works good on many things.