How do you get your used parts so clean?

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73 dart custom

73 dart custom

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I have been looking at some of the items for sale on the site... and am wondering at the best way to get parts so clean. Chemical bath in a parts wash or sandblasting or combination or just depends on the part. Some of them look like they have just came out of the box!!
 
Like you said, depends on the part, the crap that is stuck to it, the end finish desired etc.

Sometimes I sandblast, and then it's choosing between different media like garnet, crushed glass, glass bead etc. Other stuff comes up great with a polishing wheel. I like to use a wire wheel in my drill press for small or intricate parts. Then there's Evaporust (also great for electrical contacts), gasoline, even brake parts cleaner. Plus dozen's more talked about on FABO.

Before all that, lots of times it's Zep purple degreaser, or dish washing liquid, or a pressure washer or any combination of all of the above.

Oh yeah - ELBOW GREASE

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Dusterdenovo said:
Like you said, depends on the part, the crap that is stuck to it, the end finish desired etc.

Sometimes I sandblast, and then it's choosing between different media like garnet, crushed glass, glass bead etc. Other stuff comes up great with a polishing wheel. I like to use a wire wheel in my drill press for small or intricate parts. Then there's Evaporust (also great for electrical contacts), gasoline, even brake parts cleaner. Plus dozen's more talked about on FABO.

Before all that, lots of times it's Zep purple degreaser, or dish washing liquid, or a pressure washer or any combination of all of the above.

Oh yeah - ELBOW GREASE

View attachment 1715154809 View attachment 1715154808
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That looks so much cleaner!!! and New!
 
On metal parts I have a fine wire wheel in my drill. I clamp it in the vise turn it on clean the parts up
 
73 dart custom said:
I have been looking at some of the items for sale on the site... and am wondering at the best way to get parts so clean. Chemical bath in a parts wash or sandblasting or combination or just depends on the part. Some of them look like they have just came out of the box!!
Click to expand...

Sand blaster at work for me.
 
Greasy bolts, I soak for a few days in a closed container of mineral spirits, let them air dry on a paper towel, then rinse them with brake cleaner.

Carburetors, I boil them in a crock pot with a mixture of simple green and water.

Aluminum intakes I will bead blast.

Other metal parts I will just sandblast.

I am going to dip a rusty 340 block I have in a 55 gallon barrel of feed grade molasses and water this spring, as soon as I can find a plastic barrel reasonable.
 
How does anyone clean the shiny finish of an Edelbrock carb that has oxidation on it, ie dark spots? Glass beading AL intakes does make them look new, although some come out looking a little white (sand blasting?) I dont know how my head shop gets their heads looking as cast. they come back looking brand new, either sparkling AL or dark gray metal. Hot tank?
 
Thanks for the suggestions and input guys... good tips... except molasses... I am thinking that is like blinker fluid??? lol
 
zkx14 said:
No joke, I've never done it, but I hear it's the real deal for rust removal.
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Yeah... so it seems.. never would have figured feed grade molasses for rust removal .. Just goes to show.. can learn something new every day!!
 
Just posted this on another thread. Clean with solvent, boil at the machine shop, sand blast at my buddies shop, and lot's of scrubbing with simple green, water, and thinner. After 10 years it has stayed pretty good. (I need to snap a "now" picture)
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Also white vinager and steel bb's will clean a gas tank, it takes a while, but I have saved the paint on many antique motorcycle tanks this way.
 
I cleaned my AFB in a 50/50 solution of pinesol and water. It came out like new. Don't leave it in too long though!
 
I just cleaned up my Grille for paint. After trying a few other tedious yet ineffective methods, I had excellent results with a toothbrush and toothpaste.
Toothpaste is just abraisive enough to remove the grime and oxidized paint. And it leaves your Grille smelling minty fresh!
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