911SC Rear Trailing Arm Reconditioning

[porschedude996]

I decided to rebuild the rear suspension on my 1983. Cleaning was laborious and ended up using some “Purple Power” and it does react with the metals other than the aluminum in the casting. I have some old aluminum cleaner that is a dilute acid. The label says nothing on the makeup and zero warnings. It is clear in color so i’m thinking it’s not hydrochloric acid. Maybe Phosphoric acid. White smoke when applied to the aluminum, not red. They came out much better than i thought they would.

[Dpmulvan]

What are you going to use to protect the aluminum?

[porschedude996]

I don’t think I am going to coat them. The surfaces that didn’t have the waxy stuff that Porsche sprayed on them, or that were coated with greasy dirt, were pretty shiny. They are effectively passivated at this point from the acid cleaning.

What were your thoughts?

[Spetrow]

I just completed a complete rehab of mine. These are 84. I vapor honed with medium and fine glass beads. All new bearing and re-plated all parts. I did SHARKHIDE as a final surface protection. It seams to hold up well and is not shinny or mat finish. https://sharkhidestore.com/products/sharkhide-metal-and-aluminum-protectant

[porschedude996]

Very pretty. You got me thinking.

[porschedude996]

Spetrow, thank you for the information. I bought their cleaner and preservative.

[Spetrow]

I have used it on valve covers, chain boxes and 915 housing after vapor honing - it holds up well. I believe the vapor hone closes surface cavities of the castings and this helps seal the aluminum. Don't sandblast trailing arms.

[porschedude996]

My vapor hone cabinet isn’t roomy enough for a trailing arm. Wish I had the Jay Leno Special.

[Gretz]

I had mine bead blasted and then clear powder coated. They are pretty shiny, maybe shinier than i wanted by they are definitely easier to clean.

[porschedude996]

I just like the look of a fresh out of the mold casting.