AC compressor and Alternator. Cleaning suggestions

[Torchred96]

Just had my plenum powdercoated and didn't realize the alternator and compressor would show as much as they do. Being that my car has some miles on it, what would you use to clean them up.

I used diesel fuel in the valley that did a pretty good job and already used it on the compressor, but it didn't shine up too much..it's got some pits and discoloration. The alternator is just plain dirty.

The place that cleaned up my aluminum float on trailer used some sort of acid that cleaned the trailer to look almost like new. Anyone know what that acid is and is it safe to us on our aluminum?

Any suggestions are welcome.
thanks

[VetteMed]

There are commercially available aluminum brighteners... However, I've had good results with using a brass wire brush or wire wheel to make aluminum look good without resorting to chemicals.

You could also disassemble the case halves of the alternator and have them powdercoated too. Not likely to be an option for the compressor though. Might have to settle for paint.

[Torchred96]

Sounds like a good Idea...either way, I think it's gonna be a lot of work, but it is worth it in the end.

Since I'm planning on Powder coating the cam covers in the near future, after I know how this thing goes back together and that it's gonna run right after porting and deleting spt's, I'lll probably just wait to do all the shiny parts until then.

For now, I just got some diesel fuel which cleaned the engine up pretty good.
Thanks for the replies.

[Z51JEFF]

Originally Posted by VetteMed

There are commercially available aluminum brighteners... However, I've had good results with using a brass wire brush

I used a brass brush and Simple Green on the compressor.I wouldnt use anything thats abrasive,stainless brush or wire wheel.For the ALT Cases I dissembled and blasted them with some walnut shells.Again,no abrasives on the cases,you just want to clean the oxidation from the surface,not remove any material.Ive got access to a nice media blasting cabinet if you need a hand.

[Torchred96]

Good thoughts Jeff, I am going to wait until next time around (a few weeks maybe) to clean them up. I have to go back in anyway and take care of some unfinished business (cam covers powder coating and matching the IH to heads). So that will be my next "while I'm in there" project.

Thanks for the tips!

[tomtom72]

Sam, I know this isn't exactly the same, but when I replaced my front A-arms I used a med & fine scotch-brite pads with WD40 as a solvent on the old stuff. It took some time & elbow power, but the old stuff cleaned up fairly nicely.

I should add that I was doing this as a test to see what would work. I bought the liquid gallon jug of WD and kind of used it like you would use water on a wet sanding job. On the grease & really baked on grease & oil stains(?) I used throttle body cleaner & scotch- brite pads first to get the worst of the grime off.

Media blasting is for sure the way to go! No fuss & no mess and a quickly finished job for sure.


Tom