VettAgra

I bought a serpentine setup local junkyard yesterday. I got both brackets, new/reman alt, ps pump, all pulleys and bolts. Now I would like to get the cast aluminum brackets cleaned and looking new. What would be the best way to do this. Thanks

Red 71

I have degreased them in the past and then bead blasted them. Will look like new. If there is any polished surfaces you want to keep then bead blasting would not be my first choice. Supposedly blasting with walnut shells will polish aluminum. I have never tried it so I can not say.

nate99

I bought a set from DurangoBoy here on the forum (good seller), and I know that he has done several conversions in the past, with some of them looking like brand new. Maybe this bump will grab his attention.

I'm planning on painting mine black, so I don't really care myself.

steve228

I too bought some from DB. I degreased then hit with wire brush,then painted.
SerpintineBracket2.jpg[/IMG]
IMG]http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg304/steve228_photo/Serpintinebracket1.jpg[/IMG]

before:IMG]http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg304/steve228_photo/CIMG0233.jpg[/IMG]

SharkintheWoods

One thing I have done, but you cannot leave it on for long, is oven cleaner. Bear in mind it will eat aluminum so take care that it is not on too long at all but cleans very nicely.

markdtn

Castrol Super Clean. I buy it by the gallon and spray it with a plant spray bottle. Wear gloves, spray it on, brush it, pressure wash it off if you have one.

Durango_Boy

Thanks guys. Honestly all I have done to clean them up is I get all the large gunk out with a probing tool like an awl or a screw driver, and I run them through the dish washer on both sides.

They come out looking pretty good but I will follow by using a small tiny tipped plastic bristled brush and get down in all the nooks and crannies. I can get almost all the dirt out, and then I wash them again in the washing machine.

Finally, and they will never look like they were f5resh cast without blasting, I just spray them with Alumablast, which is a very good aluminum paint that has actual aluminum in it for a very realistic color and texture.

VettAgra

thanks for bumping this. I have been working on them a little here and there. The best thing I have got to work is naval jelly. I've tried it all on these things. Then jelly and a plastic brush takes all the old, rough oxidation off and leaves clean aluminum. If you put on a second coat and only leave it for about 1 min tops. they look close to original, just a little darker.

Also, thanks Durango_boy. Where did you get the Alumablast? I have thought about going over them with "aluminum" engine paint. Didn know how it would stick though.

My friend (Vettedebt79) just added a set of GMPP brackets to his FB385 and I need to keep up with him.

Durango_Boy

Eastwood.
http://www.eastwoodco.com/jump.jsp?i...emType=PRODUCT

VettAgra

WOW! That is very nice. How well does that paint hold up. Also what did you paint those pulleys with.

Durango_Boy

Well so far it has held up great. The really great part is there is no protective coating to strip off later, you can simply touch up any blemishes and you're done.

The pulleys were a combination of flat black powder coating and flat black engine enamel.

Obviously the chrome pulley were chrome plated.

blckslvr79

I take it your single? Or do you clean the parts while the wife's gone?????

Durango_Boy

Happily engaged, and I run the kitchen so no one but me knows.

VettAgra

[QUOTE=Finally, and they will never look like they were f5resh cast without blasting, I just spray them with Alumablast, which is a very good aluminum paint that has actual aluminum in it for a very realistic color and texture.[/QUOTE]

One more question. Did you spray the Alumablast into all the small areas or did you brush it on.

Durango_Boy

I sprayed it. It is hard to get the stuff to run, and it dries very fast.

VettAgra

Durango_boy... another PM sent

markdtn

potscrubber cycle with some extra detergent does wonders.

VettAgra

Hehe... my wife is my potscrubber.