Stained actuators
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,268
Likes: 374
From: Randolph nj
water stains suck ,, you might want to try a hard water cleaner , i think never dull will take the finnish off ,, magic eraser work very well you would be surprised
Last edited by forman; Dec 17, 2018 at 08:42 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,114
From: Crossville TN
Be careful. That finish is very thin and can easily be removed with any abrasives and many chemicals. I would just wash them with mild soap and water and wax them for protection.
If you want, you could put a little white vinegar on a Q-tip and wipe down a water spot that is hard to see. If it works and doesn't remove any finish, go for it.
P.S. That chromate-wash finish will eventually disappear just from being in open-air. If you want to keep that look, you could clean them and shoot with clear lacquer or just wax them occasionally.
If you want, you could put a little white vinegar on a Q-tip and wipe down a water spot that is hard to see. If it works and doesn't remove any finish, go for it.
P.S. That chromate-wash finish will eventually disappear just from being in open-air. If you want to keep that look, you could clean them and shoot with clear lacquer or just wax them occasionally.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 490
Likes: 99
From: The South
I wished mine looked half that good. As 7T1VETTE mentioned, shooting them with clear lacquer is probably the best way to preserve them, but I would test that on the underside first - I did that with a new gas cap and it changed the look of the finish. I believe I tried it with a low gloss clear lacquer. High gloss might be better....
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,387
Likes: 123
From: CA.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 797
Likes: 156
From: England AR
Vinagar will remove the water spots easily.
Either clearcoat or repaint with eastwoods "bronze carb renew" paint if you want it to look close to original.
Either clearcoat or repaint with eastwoods "bronze carb renew" paint if you want it to look close to original.
Last edited by naramlee; Dec 20, 2018 at 01:31 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,232
Likes: 1,232
From: PHX AZ
zinc dichromate
If they were water spots, white vinegar will remove them (acetic acid).
unka
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,387
Likes: 123
From: CA.
ok, so far I tried the claybar and white vinegar since I have them here. neither touched it. will try some other ideas, I wonder if steel wool will remove spots and then I can spray a clear over them.
( I appreciate all the good suggestions)
( I appreciate all the good suggestions)
Last edited by nutsy; Dec 20, 2018 at 05:10 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,232
Likes: 1,232
From: PHX AZ
Nutsy....a big no-no on the steel wool....they'll be ruined for sure.
Is it possible that this is clear coat overspray?
HIERARCHY of Chemicals (least to most 'damaging')
Simple green
Windex (not on aluminum!)
Vinegar
CLR
Alcohol (rubbing)
Denatured Alcohol (ethanol and methanol)
Mineral spirits
Lacquer thinner
Acetone
then we get into abrasion!
good luck....what color is that Steel Cities?
Is it possible that this is clear coat overspray?
HIERARCHY of Chemicals (least to most 'damaging')
Simple green
Windex (not on aluminum!)
Vinegar
CLR
Alcohol (rubbing)
Denatured Alcohol (ethanol and methanol)
Mineral spirits
Lacquer thinner
Acetone
then we get into abrasion!
good luck....what color is that Steel Cities?
Last edited by L-46man; Dec 20, 2018 at 05:25 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,507
Likes: 114
From: St. Louis Mo
Windex
Nutsy....a big no-no on the steel wool....they'll be ruined for sure.
Is it possible that this is clear coat overspray?
HIERARCHY of Chemicals (least to most 'damaging')
Simple green
Windex (not on aluminum!)
Vinegar
CLR
Alcohol (rubbing)
Denatured Alcohol (ethanol and methanol)
Mineral spirits
Lacquer thinner
Acetone
then we get into abrasion!
good luck....what color is that Steel Cities?
Is it possible that this is clear coat overspray?
HIERARCHY of Chemicals (least to most 'damaging')
Simple green
Windex (not on aluminum!)
Vinegar
CLR
Alcohol (rubbing)
Denatured Alcohol (ethanol and methanol)
Mineral spirits
Lacquer thinner
Acetone
then we get into abrasion!
good luck....what color is that Steel Cities?
Thanks
Larry