Cleaning things

Post by **Lukey** » Thu Mar 26, 2009 8:06 pm

I want to clean my alternator up before it goes on, how would I get it looking new? Also what would be the best way to bring my iron nuts and bolts back to shiny metal?

Post by **les** » Thu Mar 26, 2009 9:39 pm

Wire brush for the alternator, replace for the nuts and bolts!

Post by **bmcecosse** » Thu Mar 26, 2009 10:13 pm

Alloy wheel cleaner (from Poundshop) used carefully with a tooth brush does a good job. Try not to let the chemicals go inside. Or as above wire brush it! But again - don't let any stray wires fall inside!
Most bolts /nuts will have been plated - once this is damaged they are going to rust. Don't make the mistake of going for 'stainless' bolts - especially in contact with the bodywork. They set up a 'couple' with steel - and the steel rots away!

Post by **Luxobarge** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 11:47 am

When I restored my Midget, to get the alternator looking like new, I took it apart and seperated the alloy end castings and grit-blasted them, then lacquered them. Then I painted and lacquered the steel plate centre part and re-assembled (greased the bearings while it was apart too).
But then I'm like that.....

Nuts & bolts I replaced with polished stainless steel - but then .... see above!

Post by **bmcecosse** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 2:51 pm

Well - if the SS bolts are not in contact with the steel body - no worries.

Post by **webbnuts** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 4:40 pm

Have you seen that advert where the kid tries to fit his scooter in his moms dishwasher?

Post by **PSL184** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 4:49 pm

webbnuts wrote:Have you seen that advert where the kid tries to fit his scooter in his moms dishwasher?

That's the kind of thing I do with car parts

Post by **Lukey** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 10:55 pm

Oh oh oh one last thing before I foget, I've got to clean an SU up that is caked in oxide all over the dash pot, body and on the piston and inside the dash pot. Best gheto way to remove this?

Post by **bmcecosse** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 11:17 pm

Alloy wheel cleaner from Poundland - plus tooth brush. Clean the brush well afterwards - or it tastes kind of funny when next brushing teeth.

Post by **Lukey** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 11:31 pm

Ah I will try, I think it's a bit more caked on than you are thinking though. Would wire wool be OK? I'll get some alloy wheel cleaner on Monday.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 11:35 pm

Yes - wire wool and/or fine wire brush - the type sold for suede shoes is useful. Not too good on the shoes later !

Post by **PSL184** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 11:54 pm

Frost do an alloy repair/clean/shine kinds spray....

http://www.frost.co.uk/item_Detail.asp? ... ostSubcat=

I can confirm it works and I think RogerRust has used it too....?

Post by **stag36587** » Sat Mar 28, 2009 1:12 am

I was amazed how effective carb cleaner sprays are - £5 from most motor accessories shops - you could try that too.

Post by **Lukey** » Sat Mar 28, 2009 1:28 am

I though they were for shifting varnish and gunk? I've put it in a bath of parafin and been wire wooling it which has worked amazingly so far.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sat Mar 28, 2009 9:38 am

Indeed - carb cleaner is for varnish and gunk - exactly what will be on your carb! beware - it's Toluene - and highly flammable.

Post by **wibble_puppy** » Sat Mar 28, 2009 10:04 am

Careful with that wire wool, Lukey, don't rub too hard in case you disturb the nice snug fit of the piston inside the dash pot. Green Scotchbrite is a good thing to use if in doubt. Good luck and hope it turns out well!

wibble x

ps if the thing is that badly corroded, check the inside of the holes where the ends of the throttle spindle fit. Not that I have any hard-won recent experience in this area...

Very fine grit wet-and-dry wrapped round a suitable rod-shaped thing is the best for cleaning out any corrosion in there.

Post by **les** » Sat Mar 28, 2009 11:40 am

Very fine grit wet-and-dry wrapped round a suitable rod-shaped thing is the best for cleaning out any corrosion in there.

You're not wrong in the method, but just a small point, that area tends to be well worn if the carb is old, so removing much more could cause more air to be sucked in.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sat Mar 28, 2009 5:12 pm

Yes - take great care with the piston and bell - just oil and cloth to clean them - perhaps just a little Brasso if sticky - nothing more abrasive! And as above -don't enlarge the spindle holes !

Post by **wibble_puppy** » Sat Mar 28, 2009 6:19 pm

It's a pretty touchy job cleaning out the corrosion without enlarging the holes, that's for sure

linearaudio · Post by **linearaudio** » Sat Mar 28, 2009 6:36 pm

Sounds like you are a bit beyond the "varnish & gum" style of carb internals! CAREFULL localised scraping with a blade can be good on old, watery based corrosion, prior to going for the scotchbrite. "Carpride" carb cleaner works for me on gummy bits, £1 at your local cheap shop, probably on the carcare product shelf, just next to the air fresheners! Rogerrust has posted fabulous pictures of his MGB carb and alternator, with details of how he done it.