Engine Cleaning Help
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 600
Likes: 1
From: Woodbridge Virginia
Engine Cleaning Help
Hey Men,
How the heck do you clean up the alternator casing and other aluminum parts that have gotten dulled and dirty for a car show? Mines a '96 LT4 with Opti and I refuse to spray and run water. So what the heck can I use? Any reasonable advise will be appreciated. Thank you in advance.
Al
How the heck do you clean up the alternator casing and other aluminum parts that have gotten dulled and dirty for a car show? Mines a '96 LT4 with Opti and I refuse to spray and run water. So what the heck can I use? Any reasonable advise will be appreciated. Thank you in advance.
Al
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 4,284
Likes: 1
From: Whitehall Pa.
I've been having alot of luck with scotch brite. There are several different abrasive levels - from extremely coarse to one that is fairly light. I use the light abrasive pad for the AC tubes and go to a medium pad for alternator. It's great for getting into dimply finish of the alternator. I tried never dull and some other metal polishes but they tend to leave a residue that you can see.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,043
Likes: 8
From: Tampa Florida
I've been having alot of luck with scotch brite. There are several different abrasive levels - from extremely coarse to one that is fairly light. I use the light abrasive pad for the AC tubes and go to a medium pad for alternator. It's great for getting into dimply finish of the alternator. I tried never dull and some other metal polishes but they tend to leave a residue that you can see.
A small brass bristled (semi-soft) brush works well also....light strokes.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,966
Likes: 4
From: Made In America
St. Jude Donor '10-'11
My motor needs a sand blaster seriously. I have tried over the counter stuff from NAPA and it's all overpriced crap IMO. Did not help mine...Others may have had better luck with Engine Brite, mothers aluminum polish ect but not me.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,050
Likes: 147
From: Phoenix AZ
2021 C4 of the Year - Modified Finalist
Hey Thomas, you are supposed to drive that thing.................
I use a small stainless steel brush. You can use the brush to "tap" it at the areas that have a rough surface, and slide the brush on areas that have a smooth surface. Just do not use heavy pressure as patience will pay off with light strokes and gentle tapping. Scotch bright is plastic sand paper, so be careful where you use it. If you use it on painted surfaces, you have just prepped the part for paint. also do not use it on chrome surfaces...... not that a corvette has any, but if you use it on your tail pipes, you will never get the scratches out.
I use a small stainless steel brush. You can use the brush to "tap" it at the areas that have a rough surface, and slide the brush on areas that have a smooth surface. Just do not use heavy pressure as patience will pay off with light strokes and gentle tapping. Scotch bright is plastic sand paper, so be careful where you use it. If you use it on painted surfaces, you have just prepped the part for paint. also do not use it on chrome surfaces...... not that a corvette has any, but if you use it on your tail pipes, you will never get the scratches out.
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looking engine bay, nice job.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 2
From: colchester CT
Copper
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 805
Likes: 3
From: Waco TX
What I have found works great on black plastic is the turtle wax ice car wax. It makes the plastic look new, not greasy or wet like CD2 can.
That CD2 stuff will hide dirt on a dusty engine, but it won't be a clean "dry" look. It's basically an Armour All for engine bays.
That CD2 stuff will hide dirt on a dusty engine, but it won't be a clean "dry" look. It's basically an Armour All for engine bays.
