gerg 10,871 Posted February 20, 2014 Thought I'd start a thread to share some tips on maintenance/cleaning of automotive bits using stuff you can get your hands on easily and cheaply. I'll start with mine: • Boil alloy carbies for 30 min or so in vinegar/lemon juice and water mixed 1:3 to remove carbon and (most) corrosion. • Common fix for fouled oxygen sensors: soak in lemon juice overnight to de-carbonise. • Using electrolysis, you can revive small heavily rusted parts by immersing them in washing soda/water solution and applying +12v to a sacrificial steel/iron anode and - to the work. Amazing results... Shows rusty nuts seized onto bolts that were buried underground for years, when finished you can run the nut up and down the bolt no probs. • apparently "pine sol" is brilliant for soaking carbies in for a day or two. Not sure where to get it from in Aus but in the US it's an age-old trick in bike circles to clean up grungy alloy bits. • my pop told me of an alternative to fish oil: use vegetable oil as it leaves a gummy, non-drying film behind. I'd possibly use a mix of both. • Small rust spots on a chrome bumper: rub a cut lemon over the affected area. 2 Ants and robbie reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
adrianphu123 73 Posted February 20, 2014 For emergency cleaning of greasy hands to touch the missus : laundry detergent 2 Gandalf and robbie reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bear351c 10,270 Posted February 20, 2014 Yeah, OMO or Napisan is awesome hand cleaner. Loosen rusted bolts with 50/50 Acetone and Tranny fluid. (both available at supermarkets). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gerg 10,871 Posted February 20, 2014 For emergency cleaning of greasy hands to touch the missus : laundry detergent And another advantage is that even if you thought you had absolutely no cuts on your hands, you'll soon find out that you do, big times. 7 Outback Jack, xcsam, PH351 and 4 others reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BigCav 464 Posted February 20, 2014 when youve bought a car thats been sitting for years i give them a clean with warm water and OMO to remove the build up of oxidation etc Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gerg 10,871 Posted February 21, 2014 when youve bought a car thats been sitting for years i give them a clean with warm water and OMO to remove the build up of oxidation etc Just need to make sure it's all washed off completely afterwards... Washing powders often contain salt Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
robbie 901 Posted February 21, 2014 gerg top thread buddy, but ... For emergency cleaning of greasy hands to touch the missus : laundry detergent ^^ this... Spot on emergency cleaning to go for a grab Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mr Polson 10,214 Posted February 21, 2014 Vaseline on the battery terminals improves conductivity and helps prevent oxidation (the build up of that white crap). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
351XD_Fairmont 604 Posted February 21, 2014 Vaseline on the battery terminals improves conductivity and helps prevent oxidation (the build up of that white crap). I bought an eb a couple of years back with vaso slathered on the terminals and all the radiator hose ends, even the towbar, missus said it seemed abit suss on the towbar, I laughed me arse off when she said that. We've always used the liquid non-caustic ovencleaner to clean up the engine bays, works a treat 2 Mr Polson and gerg reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mr Polson 10,214 Posted February 21, 2014 I bought an eb a couple of years back with vaso slathered on the terminals and all the radiator hose ends, even the towbar, missus said it seemed abit suss on the towbar, I laughed me arse off when she said that. We've always used the liquid non-caustic ovencleaner to clean up the engine bays, works a treat I just laughed a fair bit then reading that! Hahaha Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gerg 10,871 Posted February 21, 2014 Another thing that cleans up your hands really well is giving the car a wash, or doing the dishes... I know what I'd rather do. 1 robbie reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BigCav 464 Posted February 21, 2014 I don't recommend it but if you want clean hands go eat some greasy kfc Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
XFChris 126 Posted February 22, 2014 Good tips in here. I use white vinegar to soak dirty metal parts in. Soak them overnight and you can get them reasonably clean with a light scrub. WD40 works good for cleaning your hands after working on a car. Then finish up with whatever cleaner you usually use. 1 gerg reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wookie 45 Posted February 23, 2014 citric acid is a fantastic degreaser, really helps get into the red dirt from ex mining vehicles or bush trips. a <10% mix of sulphuric acid [and water] is great for cleaning carbon and crap off steel and alloy rims, just dont leave it on for too long [i used to let it sit for 15 mins max, if it spotted the alloy rims from being on too long id scrub it off and spray it on again lol] Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gerg 10,871 Posted February 23, 2014 Just read about some methods for brightening up some die-cast (zinc) items, like Holleys and various body mouldings... Smear with tomato paste! I'll be trying it later on my Holley bits Update: comes out looking like new(ish) gal steel, with the large "grains" of shiny bits you normally see on the surface. Longer time would have made more difference I think. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bear351c 10,270 Posted February 23, 2014 Mmmmm..........KFC, Vinegar and Tomato paste. Getting hungry. 1 XTREME KARTS XF reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Windsored 4 Posted February 23, 2014 DIY rust converter for surface rusted panels mix 4 parts water with 1 part vinegar & scour the panel then wash of with clean water after 15 minutes 2 robbie and gerg reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wookie 45 Posted February 23, 2014 ^i did that to my diff mounts the other week after they had been sitting exposed for a while after being hot tanked. worked a treat getting the surface rust off. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ants 6,370 Posted February 23, 2014 Thread stickied. There are some brilliant tips in here. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gerg 10,871 Posted February 24, 2014 Yet another... Molasses dipping to remove rust. Apparently it's better than blasting or rust converting, but takes weeks to do. 2 1 Marks XG, xcsam and steve mcqueen reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
n00bus m@x1mus 465 Posted February 24, 2014 I can attest to rust removal using electrolysis, i do it all the time and the results are fantastic for such little effort involved. http://www.ozfalcon.com.au/index.php?/topic/1743-rust-converting-the-diy-way/ 1 gerg reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jamie247 542 Posted April 20, 2014 the perfect car wash in a bucket mix 50-50 of metho and truck wash then fill up with water wash car let soak is a degresser,bug remover etc all in 1 1 gerg reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
XFChris 126 Posted April 22, 2014 the perfect car wash in a bucket mix 50-50 of metho and truck wash then fill up with water wash car let soak is a degresser,bug remover etc all in 1 Not harmful to paint in any way? Or takes wax off? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jamie247 542 Posted April 22, 2014 not harmful to paint mate I do $million trains with it also that have grime and crap all over them most bug removers have metho in them anyway as for wax I polish my car each time I wash it so wouldn't know I doubt it Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
blu xe 825 Posted April 24, 2014 Not sure if its strictly house hold but its in my house hold . LOL. Easy gleam mag wheel cleaner is awesome to get rid of water stains/ calcium build up on glass. Use it in a spray bottle spray it on and let it sit for 15 or so seconds then hose it off. Stains be gone. If they're really bad you might have to hit em a few times. Won't hurt two pack paint if rinsed quickly but not good on acrylic or enamel. Also need to be careful on anodised finishes cause it can mark them. 1 gerg reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
