Underhood and suspension cleanup

[conesare2seconds]

Hi everyone. 1994 124 was a Texas car and lived in a dusty environment. Once it was back up to spec mechanically it was time to give her a good bath.

There were two complications: First, the dust had some clay content and turned to a sticky paste when wet. Second, a "pro" detailer gave the inner fenders and wheel liners a coat of aerosol plasti-dip. The rubber coating encapsulated the dust and had to be removed with acetone, followed by cleaning the dirt itself.

Detailing tools were a spray bottle of distilled water, a spray bottle of Super Clean degreaser diluted 4:1, acetone, soft body and wheel brushes, a boar's-bristle brush, assorted small plastic and wire bristle brushes, microfiber cloths, and a Scotchbrite pad.

[conesare2seconds]

Our engine is showing its age and miles. It will never be truly beautiful again short of a refinish but its appearance can be improved. I used a mild polishing compound to remove surface contaminants and tried toothpaste and an Adams product as recommended here, but I wasn't able to clean deep stains.

In the pic below, the rear runners and cam cover directly beneath have been cleaned.


http://www.photoberkit.com/copper/albums/userpics/10022/normal_IMG_4544.JPG

[conesare2seconds]

Here's a look at the rubber spray coating after a couple of thousand miles to Bowling Green for the Gathering.


http://www.photoberkit.com/copper/albums/userpics/10022/normal_IMG_5135.JPG

[conesare2seconds]

Progress. Clean side on the right, dirty side on the left.


http://www.photoberkit.com/copper/albums/userpics/10022/normal_IMG_5141.JPG

[conesare2seconds]

A closer before view of the inner fender and steering knuckle area.


http://www.photoberkit.com/copper/albums/userpics/10022/normal_IMG_5179.JPG


http://www.photoberkit.com/copper/albums/userpics/10022/normal_IMG_5180.JPG

[conesare2seconds]

This is more like it.


http://www.photoberkit.com/copper/albums/userpics/10022/normal_IMG_5201.JPG

http://www.photoberkit.com/copper/albums/userpics/10022/normal_IMG_5202.JPG

http://www.photoberkit.com/copper/albums/userpics/10022/normal_IMG_5231.JPG

http://www.photoberkit.com/copper/albums/userpics/10022/normal_IMG_5236.JPG

[conesare2seconds]

The engine area is looking much better in these after pics.


http://www.photoberkit.com/copper/albums/userpics/10022/normal_IMG_5237.JPG

http://www.photoberkit.com/copper/albums/userpics/10022/normal_IMG_5239.JPG

http://www.photoberkit.com/copper/albums/userpics/10022/normal_IMG_5240.JPG

http://www.photoberkit.com/copper/albums/userpics/10022/normal_IMG_5241.JPG

[conesare2seconds]

Here's the starting point for our rear suspension. Nasty.


http://www.photoberkit.com/copper/albums/userpics/10022/normal_IMG_5253.JPG

[conesare2seconds]

Finished this side after dark and had to put a shop light on the subject to get a pic.


http://www.photoberkit.com/copper/albums/userpics/10022/normal_IMG_5273.JPG

http://www.photoberkit.com/copper/albums/userpics/10022/normal_IMG_5275.JPG

[conesare2seconds]

Here's the finished DS.


http://www.photoberkit.com/copper/albums/userpics/10022/normal_IMG_5287.JPG

http://www.photoberkit.com/copper/albums/userpics/10022/normal_IMG_5283.JPG

[conesare2seconds]

This represents over 40 hours of cleaning time. I can still see some little things missed here and there but overall I can live with the results. The car has 178k on it and counting, so she's looking okay for her age, haha. Besides, a clean car is a happy - and faster - car, right?

[jss06c6]

Excellent job! The car is looking really good!

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[S.hafsmo]

That's a rather decent result! Bravo! :)

[DRM500RUBYZR-1]

Great job!
Your results are a fantastic improvement to that car!
Time well spent, and results that you will see everyday that you walk by it, show it, or drive it.
Marty

[RussMcB]

Wow. What a difference. Nice work.

[conesare2seconds]

Thanks all for the kind words. It's a pleasure to clean them up, work but enjoyable, relaxing work. I like a car to present the best it can, even something less than perfection is still nice to see.

In the mid-2000s I was in a very active Corvette club. We used to autocross at least monthly and would enter judged car shows for additional sanctioned points. I've been a judge many times and got great tips and training from a former Bloomington judge from back in the day. I came to really appreciate the small things that separate a good wash and wax from a true show prep. As C4s get older and come up for NCRS more and more, that's something I'd like to pursue in the future.

[Tripler]

Wow ... Super job ...
:)

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[shawn8492]

Looks great! I am working on mine right now also.

Trying to get it ready for the Eureka Springs Corvette Weekend.
What part of Arkansas are you from?
Shawn

[conesare2seconds]

Hi Shawn. I'm in Little Rock. Would love to make the Eureka event but could only make it for a few hours Friday due to my work schedule. On the fence about that. Where are you located?

[-=Jeff=-]

what do you use on the inner wheels wells to get them clean and black again?

[conesare2seconds]

Hi, Jeff. For cleaning I used Super Clean concentrate in a spray bottle mixed 4:1 with distilled water. Super Clean is available premixed or the concentrate is in a gallon jug. The concentrate is very economical.

I sprayed the painted and plastic surfaces with distilled water, then Super Clean mix and agitated the dirt with a boar's bristle brush, followed by a rinse with more distilled water. Some really dirty surfaces got a light scrubbing with a blue non-scratch Scotchbrite pad or a toothbrush. Suspension surfaces were scrubbed with a small wire-bristle brush, followed by a once-over with Mother's Metal Polish.

For a little "pop" after cleaning I used Stoner's Trim Shine from an aerosol can. It's safe for all surfaces and I find it easier to work with than the spray bottle that's also available. Wipe off any excess with a microfiber towel. Trim Shine is water based and doesn't leave sticky residue. The finish isn't high-gloss, it just looks rich and new.

[shawn8492]

Hi Shawn. I'm in Little Rock. Would love to make the Eureka event but could only make it for a few hours Friday due to my work schedule. On the fence about that. Where are you located?

I am just outside of Fort Smith, in Alma. I am going up on Friday if it doesn't rain and spending the night.

Hope to see you there,
Shawn

[George45]

Nowineed toclean my 91. Its only got 12k on it but has some dirt ssccumulation. I suspect its never been cleaned.

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[George45]

Now I need to clean my 91. Its only got 12k on it but has some dirt accumulation. I suspect its never been cleaned.

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[ZR1North]

Great effort - great results! Well done.

[Crusin]

You certainly did a lot of work cleaning under the hood and the suspension. The results speak for themselves. Whoever sprayed that plastic coating on it should be whipped for there stupidity.

[32valvZ]

Looks nice so far... Ive done this process on all my C4's...
Suggestion for you: Get yourself a wire brush that will fit into a cordless drill and knock some of the rust off the rotors and spray the hats and the vented area with some hight temp black.... It will look really good in comparison.

[Crusin]

Good suggestions for cleaning under hood and suspension. You did a great job.

[Figure8it]

This represents over 40 hours of cleaning time

Your car is looking fantastic! I've just started the process of cleaning mine and I'm very envious of how nice you've been able to get things. BRAVO! :thumbsup:

[conesare2seconds]

Just do a little at a time. Cleaning is cheap and very rewarding. My latest project is paint correction. I?ve gotten good results with a DA polisher but really need to suck it up and wet sand the panels I haven?t finished.

I agreed with the suggestion about the brake rotors and installed Stoptech rotors this spring with nicely finished black hats, Hawk HPS pads and stainless brake lines.

[mpiecyk]

Any chance of posting pic's of your paint correction your detailing of the fender wells is OUTSTANDING!

[-=Jeff=-]

Paint correction is on my list to learn. I don't have too many projects on my car this year