Topic: How to clean, restore heater hose ducts

[Hipo giddyup]

Just recently picked up a super nice set of original heater hose ducts and cones, attached. However, I am unsure what to use to clean these items. It looks like some of the banding on one of the hoses has a slight bit of surface rust on the metal. Not sure if I could submerse these in Evaporust, if it would hurt the material of the hose? Thanks for any replies.

[petersixtfive]

I have soaked a hose duct in evaporust before as a trial
It did clean it up nicely, removed the surface rust from the metal bands and also removed the dust and grime
Leaving it nice and clean.
The drawback is once the evaporust dried the hose remained sticky to touch and remained that way
There may be other products that would work and not leave the hose sticky.
Also as Jim has mentioned many times surface rust will form again after a few weeks

The cardboard outlets can be cleaned with a solution of bi-carb soda and water applied with a brush then paper towell to absorb the excess moisture and grime from them

PVA wood glue slightly watered down will repair the small tears when the cardboard is dry
Sand the repaired area with fine sandpaper and it will return the natural look to the cardboard

Just what I found that works
 
Cheers



.

[CharlesTurner]

If you use evaporust, the hoses just have to be rinsed in water so they won't be sticky after.  Would be careful around the cardboard ends.

[jwc66k]

The cardboard outlets can be cleaned with a solution of bi-carb soda and water applied with a brush then paper towell to absorb the excess moisture and grime from them

To "treat" your finished cardboard outlets, spray them with a couple of coats of "Scotchguard" moisture repellent spray. That treatment work well on cardboard heater plenuums too. 
Jim

[Bossbill]

Scotchguard (just say teflon) and silicone are two things not allowed in my shop.
You mention either to a painter and they get all white in the face.
Spray either anywhere near where you paint anything and you will understand the term fish eyes.

[jwc66k]

Scotchguard (just say teflon) and silicone are two things not allowed in my shop.
You mention either to a painter and they get all white in the face.
Spray either anywhere near where you paint anything and you will understand the term fish eyes.

Well, you could go outside and spray Scotchguard (or Teflon anything), or to another room, or find something better. I never considered using either around a car to be painted, or being painted since my first car in 1965 (a TR-3, painted it silver-gray).
Jim

[Bossbill]

I have over half a dozen work benches/tables and a few paint areas.
Others may be working in much smaller spaces.
Just a polite warning to those who have smaller spaces and one bench to never use these products anywhere near the area they are using a spray can to paint small parts.

Heck, not only does my painter not allow these things in his shop, he doesn't allow cars with oil leaks in there either.

[Hipo giddyup]

Thanks for all the input and advice. I am considering to soak them in evaporust for a short period, then washing them off as Charles mentioned. My next question would be what could be used to preserve them , and perhaps slow or stop the rust from returning? Any kind of protectant (other than Armor All!!) Lol.  Perhaps something like what would be used on vinyl.?

[J_Speegle]

Have to consider that anything that you put on as a protectant (for the fabric or metal) will work to attract and hole dust

I think I might consider mink oil, since it would help the material and cover the bare metal, but it will have the negative affect mentioned above. Once the plating is gone from the metal bands it's gone.

[Hipo giddyup]

Good point. This set will be used on my next show car so either have the "rust" look on the bands or the protectant look with dust?? No sure which way to go or which would be "acceptable"? 

[carlite65]

i prefer dust over rust any day.

[J_Speegle]

i prefer dust over rust any day.

+1    Dust doesn't typically (except maybe hold moisture) damage parts over time as badly as rust

[Hipo giddyup]

Great!

Now, what "protectant" would folks recommend once they have been cleaned with Evaporust???    Perhaps a spray on type?

[carlite65]

please reread reply #3. your answer is there.

[Hipo giddyup]

Ah,, didn't realize it was for the hoses as well. Thanks