How do I clean my dirty arms?

[DORIGTT]

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..

[wrenchnride247]

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 .

[zen]

that's pretty much what i did. degreaser and some elbow grease. (no pun intended)

[Bullyboy]

Sand or glass bead blasted they look new.
Before













After

[DORIGTT]

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....

[Bullyboy]

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.