RonSSNova

Not robing the cradle, or rocking the cradle........

I am doing the HCI and Converter swap and would like to clean what I can of the cradles and suspension. My car grew ip in NJ so I assume it saw some salt.

So any tips on what might work for cleaning the corrosion off the aluminum? I'm thinking I'l try cast mag wheel cleaner. It is a mild hydrochloric solution.

Ron

oh1vette

Here's something to get you started:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/car-...n-cean-up.html

2004c5blackcoupe

Drop or remove sway bars and then use a power drill and wire wheel to clean and brighten aluminum.

Then use a 3" cloth polishing wheel and Mothers Billet polish or aluminum/metal polish for final polish. Wipe down any black residue.
This works great on A-arms and other suspension parts as well.

Don't forget to wear safety glasses/goggels to protect eyes from any dust/etc.

Vetteman Jack

Going to have to try this.

Corvette-Chris

Here's the best advice I can give:

Go to Lowe's or equivalent and buy a couple cans of Industrial Oven Cleaner. Spray it on, let it sit for a little bit and then wash it off. It's the best thing I've used and it's easy.

RonSSNova

Thanks guys. I'll get some of the NAPA stuff. Too bad they closed the store that was right up the street from me!

Ron

RonSSNova

Well, I bought the NAPA stuff. Tried it on the bracket that holds the ABS as long as it was off the car. It was quite corroded.
First impression just from the smell is that this is the same stuff as the Eagle One cast mag wheel cleaner.
It foamed up the same.

And it turned the part dark gray/black. Same thing the Eagle One stuff did if the alum wasn't the correct alloy. So I'll have to bead blast it and clear it. Haven't tried it on the cradle yet.......

Ron

robert miller

You may have let it stay on to long spray it on the cradle, I mean start on one side as soon as you get to the other side wash it off starting at the point where you 1st sprayed. That fast and it will not turn the part a diff color on you and will clean it really good...

chrisj

Eagle One Never Dull. Also a grey scotch brite pad to go along with the never dull. Works really well. Just keep a squirt bottle of water and a rag handy to clean up when done.

I tried the NAPA aluminum brightener on my suspension components and got literally spotty results. So I went for the more elbow grease approach.

chris

RonSSNova

Thanks guys. At least I tried it on something inconspicuous. The cradle is likely a different alloy.
Also, I'll never get it to look perfect, but I sure can't get it much worse.
Ron