ConcoursMustang Forums

Restoring - General discussions that span across many different groups of years and models => Processes, Products & Techniques => Topic started by: Oz390 on January 01, 2015, 10:02:17 PM

Title: Cleaning cast casing for 60's C6
Post by: Oz390 on January 01, 2015, 10:02:17 PM

Rebuilding a C6, have it completely disassembled and am trying to clean the case and tailshaft. 

Suggestions for a way to refresh the look of the aluminum/alloy casing?

Caustic soda soak, degreaser, scrub brush, pressure washer and its still kinda grubby.  Would prefer not to paint with Alumi-Blast or similar, but unless it can come up way better than it is now may head that route..

???

Title: Re: Cleaning cast casing for 60's C6
Post by: Bob Gaines on January 01, 2015, 11:38:59 PM

Quote from: Oz390 on January 01, 2015, 10:02:17 PM

Rebuilding a C6, have it completely disassembled and am trying to clean the case and tailshaft. 

Suggestions for a way to refresh the look of the aluminum/alloy casing?

Caustic soda soak, degreaser, scrub brush, pressure washer and its still kinda grubby.  Would prefer not to paint with Alumi-Blast or similar, but unless it can come up way better than it is now may head that route..

???

you might experiment with a mild acid wash. I use a product called eagle one wire wheel cleaner.

Title: Re: Cleaning cast casing for 60's C6
Post by: ruppstang on January 01, 2015, 11:51:23 PM

+1 on the Eagle one wheel cleaner.
Here is a C4 that I used it on.

Title: Re: Cleaning cast casing for 60's C6
Post by: Anghelrestorations on January 02, 2015, 04:41:57 PM

For the bare housings I usually take them to a local transmission shop here in town.  They have an industrial parts washer that uses heat and soap and the case looks like new when it comes back out.  Really nice.  They use that machine for all their cases and rebuilds.  If you have someone like that in town they may only charge a few dollars (US or Australian) and save you some time and effort.

Title: Re: Cleaning cast casing for 60's C6
Post by: jwc66k on January 02, 2015, 05:33:25 PM

I've used a friends pressure washer to clean transmission cases, both aluminum and iron. It's quick and easy and he has a Mustang too, which helps. Scrape or chisel off the big chunks first. For iron cases, I've had good luck with TSP, Tri-Sodium Phosphate, which is a grease remover but seems to leave a temporary protective coat.
Jim

Title: Re: Cleaning cast casing for 60's C6
Post by: JKWilson on January 02, 2015, 08:32:05 PM

I'd have to add a vote for the Eagle One cleaner, having used it many times (successfully!), in the past for cleaning aluminum castings. One word of advice; make sure you completely rinse it off. I'd add to give it a final scrub with a water/baking soda solution and final clean water rinse. This insures completely neutralizing the acid.

The second time I ever used it I thought I had a good final rinse, but unfortunately didn't. I got a powdery coating of aluminum oxide all over the piece within a day or so. After that I've always finished with a neutralizing rinse.

Title: Re: Cleaning cast casing for 60's C6
Post by: KevinK on January 03, 2015, 05:48:21 PM

For smaller aluminum parts, I have had good luck using Cream of Tarter and Lemon juice in my ultrasonic bath.  I found this with a quick internet search. It should work for larger parts too.

Title: Re: Cleaning cast casing for 60's C6
Post by: J_Speegle on August 23, 2023, 12:16:01 AM

Some related threads on the same or similar subject

https://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/index.php?topic=229.0 (https://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/index.php?topic=229.0)

https://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/index.php?topic=16135.msg101009#msg101009 (https://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/index.php?topic=16135.msg101009#msg101009)

https://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/index.php?topic=229.msg1049#msg1049 (https://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/index.php?topic=229.msg1049#msg1049)