Engine Bay Cleaning
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 92
Likes: 9
Engine Bay Cleaning
Hello,
1. what is everyone using to clean the engine bay no need for the harsh chemicals as it will eat away most rubber, hoses, spark plug wires/caps etc?
2. best way to clean the rust on the brake power booster?
Thanks for the help
1. what is everyone using to clean the engine bay no need for the harsh chemicals as it will eat away most rubber, hoses, spark plug wires/caps etc?
2. best way to clean the rust on the brake power booster?
Thanks for the help
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,233
Likes: 657
From: Thunder Bay
GM Engine Shampoo is the best product I have found. Only real solution to the rust on the brake booster is to have it rebuilt and replated. Paint is a decent fix if original finish isn't important to you.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,270
Likes: 4,362
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi s,
"(2.)".....
Depending on the year of the car the brake booster may have been painted gloss black and not plated. This makes restoring a rusted booster a bit more straight forward.
To restore the appearance of a rusted booster I'd remove as much rust as possible by hand, then use wire brushes, and finally a paste type rust remover.
Then the booster can be painted gloss black, or if the booster was originally di-chromate washed zinc plating, painted with one of the paints that mimics the plated appearance, or send it off to be re-plated.
Regards,
Alan
I don't think there's any 'magic' to cleaning the engine compartment... it takes work, work, work.....time, time, time.
"(2.)".....
Depending on the year of the car the brake booster may have been painted gloss black and not plated. This makes restoring a rusted booster a bit more straight forward.
To restore the appearance of a rusted booster I'd remove as much rust as possible by hand, then use wire brushes, and finally a paste type rust remover.
Then the booster can be painted gloss black, or if the booster was originally di-chromate washed zinc plating, painted with one of the paints that mimics the plated appearance, or send it off to be re-plated.
Regards,
Alan
I don't think there's any 'magic' to cleaning the engine compartment... it takes work, work, work.....time, time, time.
Last edited by Alan 71; Apr 29, 2018 at 06:50 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,233
Likes: 657
From: Thunder Bay
Hi s,
"(2.)".....
Depending on the year of the car the brake booster may have been painted gloss black and not plated. This makes restoring a rusted booster a bit more straight forward.
To restore the appearance of a rusted booster I'd remove as much rust as possible by hand, then use wire brushes, and finally a paste type rust remover.
Then the booster can be painted gloss black, or if the booster was originally di-chromate washed zinc plating, painted with one of the paints that mimics the plated appearance, or send it off to be re-plated.
Regards,
Alan
I don't think there's any 'magic' to cleaning the engine compartment... it takes work, work, work.....time, time, time.
"(2.)".....
Depending on the year of the car the brake booster may have been painted gloss black and not plated. This makes restoring a rusted booster a bit more straight forward.
To restore the appearance of a rusted booster I'd remove as much rust as possible by hand, then use wire brushes, and finally a paste type rust remover.
Then the booster can be painted gloss black, or if the booster was originally di-chromate washed zinc plating, painted with one of the paints that mimics the plated appearance, or send it off to be re-plated.
Regards,
Alan
I don't think there's any 'magic' to cleaning the engine compartment... it takes work, work, work.....time, time, time.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 92
Likes: 9
Hi s,
"(2.)".....
Depending on the year of the car the brake booster may have been painted gloss black and not plated. This makes restoring a rusted booster a bit more straight forward.
To restore the appearance of a rusted booster I'd remove as much rust as possible by hand, then use wire brushes, and finally a paste type rust remover.
Then the booster can be painted gloss black, or if the booster was originally di-chromate washed zinc plating, painted with one of the paints that mimics the plated appearance, or send it off to be re-plated.
Regards,
Alan
I don't think there's any 'magic' to cleaning the engine compartment... it takes work, work, work.....time, time, time.
"(2.)".....
Depending on the year of the car the brake booster may have been painted gloss black and not plated. This makes restoring a rusted booster a bit more straight forward.
To restore the appearance of a rusted booster I'd remove as much rust as possible by hand, then use wire brushes, and finally a paste type rust remover.
Then the booster can be painted gloss black, or if the booster was originally di-chromate washed zinc plating, painted with one of the paints that mimics the plated appearance, or send it off to be re-plated.
Regards,
Alan
I don't think there's any 'magic' to cleaning the engine compartment... it takes work, work, work.....time, time, time.
car is 1977 with approximatlely 32,000 miles Iam the 2nd owner so I don't know if what is on the car the factory installed booster or if the previous owner had it replaced which I do not think so due to the milage on the car when I purchased it, but I could be wrong and anything is possible.
Thanks for the help
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 92
Likes: 9
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,270
Likes: 4,362
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi,
I believe 77 cars typically had a booster that was originally plated.
So if you don't want to get involved with having the booster re-plated painting it with a gold/copper colored paint is a nice option.
Regards,
Alan
Here's an example of a part that was originally plated with an attempt to mimic the appearance of the plating using paint.
I believe 77 cars typically had a booster that was originally plated.
So if you don't want to get involved with having the booster re-plated painting it with a gold/copper colored paint is a nice option.
Regards,
Alan
Here's an example of a part that was originally plated with an attempt to mimic the appearance of the plating using paint.
Last edited by Alan 71; Apr 29, 2018 at 11:42 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 19,216
Likes: 1,671
From: Long Island
I use Dawn DISH DETERGENT and water to clean the engine compartment. It works well. It will remove most oils and grease so be careful after a good wash.
On my classic truck I used Simple Green diluted a lot. It also works well and will remove most dirt and grease.
Depending on which car wax you use they can remove the car wax.
On my classic truck I used Simple Green diluted a lot. It also works well and will remove most dirt and grease.
Depending on which car wax you use they can remove the car wax.
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Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 14,948
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From: NYC NY
Me too. Never harsh and cleans most anything.