#1
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How do I clean my dirty arms?
Hello all!
I just purchased a set of aluminum semi-trailing arms for my Ghia and they are DIRTY! What is the best method of cleaning them up so they look new...not polished? Thanks Pillow for the arms.. |
#2
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A can of oven cleaner, or engine degreaser, wire brush, and the local car wash is the first step I took. If you have someone with a parts washer then that can do the same thing. Once all the "bulk dirt" is off you can use different types of wire wheels in a hand held drill to clean them up to the finish you want. If you want them to stay clean get some "rattle can" clear coat , and spray a coat or two on them (eastwood company makes a good clear called diamond clear that won't yellow). That way dirt can't stick as easy, and you can hose them off easier .
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1970 T1 W/MassIVe 2913cc RAT/?EFI? w/direct fire (very soon) and 915 trans 1962 SC 1776cc SP 944NA brakes, 993 wheels VKG |
#3
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that's pretty much what i did. degreaser and some elbow grease. (no pun intended)
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zen '73 2316 TIV GL Standard Bug (quasi) Company Branding, Graphic Design, and Web Services at DigiVinci Design |
#4
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Sand or glass bead blasted they look new.
Before After |
#5
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DAMN! Mine are definately the before shot.
Are you concerned about grit infiltrating the bearings during the blasting process? I noticed your hubs were still installed.... |
#6
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If I wasn't disassembling them all the way down to the bare bones, I would have taped off the gap.
I am going to replace the bearings later, but I was tired of trying to fit things up and get dirty every time I handled them. I had to try out my recycled junk blast cabinet anyways. |
#7
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How big of a cabinet did you make for yourself? I've been thinking of just disassembling them once everything works/fits and sending out all of my components which are too big for my bench-mounted blaster to my favorite male-stripper (that's the message the guy leaves me here at work...bastard)
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#8
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I always used WD-40 to eliminate most of the grease.
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I love my money pit, uhm, err, I mean my car. 1969 beetle in the works... 2.0 type 4 DTM... 2004 Suzuki GSX-R 1000 crashed www.volksport.net Volksport Kfer Gruppe |
#9
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The cabinet is 36Lx25Wx40H. I just used the scrap MDF I had in the garage and thats what the sizes ended up. I lined the inside with white conveyor belting we had at work (headed for the dumpster). I had to buy the blast gun ,gloves, silicone, clamps.
You can expand your table top blaster like I did with mine years ago. We couldn't fit some parts into the cabinet so I built an extension box that just sits on top of the bench mounted cabinet. I removed the glass lid and put a fixed glass into the top box. It has worked good for years like that. |
#10
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If you don't want to bead blast them, and use wire wheels in drill they look like this.(just for comparison)
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1970 T1 W/MassIVe 2913cc RAT/?EFI? w/direct fire (very soon) and 915 trans 1962 SC 1776cc SP 944NA brakes, 993 wheels VKG |
#11
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Hi
I used the wire brush method as well, they came up pretty good. I also used some evil stuff from a chemical company that was a bit like oven cleaner. While washing chemical stuff off, it ran into the bearings, I was going to change them anyway. Steve
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STI powered 1303 in the works. |
#12
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I replaced my bearings after cleaning too. Just as a personal rule, i replace all seals and bearings on any used stuff i get.
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1970 T1 W/MassIVe 2913cc RAT/?EFI? w/direct fire (very soon) and 915 trans 1962 SC 1776cc SP 944NA brakes, 993 wheels VKG |
#13
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Just keeping the rust off for ya
I would just go for Simple Green and wire wheel. It should go quickly. The bearings are good so I would try and keep them in good shape to reuse.
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Adrian Pillow '57 Oval Beetle - project '66 VW Westfalia - GL '96 GMC Sierra Crew Cab 6.5L Diesel '99 GMC Suburban 6.5L Diesel VolkSport Kafer Gruppe |
#14
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Hey Adrian,
I'm putting in a new dishwasher so I should freak my wife out and toss one in with her some dishes! Anyone need a roomate? I'll need a place to stay after that one... Kinda like putting her on Punk'd! Last edited by DORIGTT; June 7th 2006 at 19:08. Reason: Using Adrian's real name vs screen name |
#15
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LOL
__________________
Adrian Pillow '57 Oval Beetle - project '66 VW Westfalia - GL '96 GMC Sierra Crew Cab 6.5L Diesel '99 GMC Suburban 6.5L Diesel VolkSport Kafer Gruppe |
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