CLEANING THE ALUMINUM PLENUM ON C4?

[tls630]

I have some blackmarks that look like dirty hand prints on the plenum and some oil stains on the valve covers. I have tried brake clean but it does not work very well. How can I clean it to look like new again? Any ideas will be appreciated. TLS630

 

[tnovot]

I'd try a little Simple Green. It usually works very well.

 

[tls630]

I will try it. I tried spraying carb cleaner on it yesterday and brushing it with a stiff brush. It did not work either.TLS

 

[vetteboy86]

Brake cleaner should be more than enough.

 

[tls630]

Veteboy
I have tried brake clean and it does not touch the stains. I read in the NCRS judging guide that the intake is painted aluminum colored paint. It does not look painted to me, but if it is I geuss I could just repaint it.I don't know what the stains are now, I thought it to be oil, but now I don't know. Thanks for the help. TLS630

 

[tigmaned]

i used simple green too, and a non metal brush! some how it did it for most of the stains on mine.

 

[Ezmunie]

I've found simple green to work also, but it requires a lot of scrubbing and probably depends on what the stain is.

 

[wishuwerehere82]

I have some cleaner made by Puritan Chemical Co. called Hi-Ack, which is an industrial metal cleaner. I mix about 10 Oz. with 1 Gal. of water, and apply it with a toothbrush.
It is an extremely alkyline sulution and will etch the oxides and stains down to the base metal, and leave a brand new metal finish that looks a little on the white side. Then a water rinse takes it off.
Nasty stuff, but works fast, you can see it fizzing on the surface of the aluminum. Comparable to having the manifold hot-tanked.

 

[tls630]

Thanks guy's for all the help. It is really appreciated. TLS

 

[1995 RedVette]

I have some cleaner made by Puritan Chemical Co. called Hi-Ack, which is an industrial metal cleaner.

Where do you get that stuff? Someone has "cleaned" my intake sometime in the past and left it splotchy. I would like to give this a try.

Brett

 

[wishuwerehere82]

Where do you get that stuff? Someone has "cleaned" my intake sometime in the past and left it splotchy. I would like to give this a try.

Brett

I got mine from
Zimmer Sales & Services Corp
(585) 342-0363
[SIZE=-1]1203 Hudson Ave[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]Rochester, NY 14621[/SIZE]
Ask for Paul Zimmer or Mike.
Tell him Noah with the red Corvette sent you. He'll know who you mean.

 

[1995 RedVette]

Thanks a lot, I'll give them a call!!

Brett

 

[Mart]

I used Etching Mag Wheel cleaner, spray it on and let it bubble for a minute then wipe it off.

Mine came up easy and great looking.

Mart

BTW nothing is painted up there. NCRS is wrong if that's what they say.

 

[paintdaddy]

I used Etching Mag Wheel cleaner, spray it on and let it bubble for a minute then wipe it off.

Mine came up easy and great looking.

Mart

BTW nothing is painted up there. NCRS is wrong if that's what they say.

This is what I use on all rough cast aluminum,trust me you will be very pleased.

 

[SoLow]

What do you use on the half shafts ,drive shaft and A frames?

 

[paintdaddy]

What do you use on the half shafts ,drive shaft and A frames?

same thing.Use it after it is installed though.If you do it before you will just end up getting more greasy finger prints on it,Like your toolbox

 

[SoLow]

same thing.Use it after it is installed though.If you do it before you will just end up getting more greasy finger prints on it,Like your toolbox

Don't get me started about those fingerprints on my box....:W

 

[tls630]

I tried the simple green with a stiff bristle brass brush and a little elbow grease and it came out great.It really look's good. I thought that the brake clean would work but it didn't .Thanks to everyone that replied. TLS630

 

[RV Guy]

This is what I use on all rough cast aluminum,trust me you will be very pleased.

Will this work on Valve Covers also?

Thanks

 

[JJS]

This is what I use on all rough cast aluminum,trust me you will be very pleased.

How do you think it'd work on my valve covers? I suppose I'd also have to use a toothbrush to make sure it gets in the grooves.
Please let me know if anyone's ever used this stuff on valve covers.