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Registered
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Collegeville, PA
Posts: 1,369
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How to clean 3.2 Carrera Calipers?
Guys,
I have a set of 3.2 Carrera calipers that I'd like to clean up. I've tried soap, water and brillo pads, but I'd like to get a cleaner finish. Could I media blast them? Or what would you recommend? Thanks!
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Andy - 1987 911 Carrera Coupe |
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03-09-2012, 08:45 AM
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Fleabit peanut monkey
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Have you tried carb cleaner in a spray can? I would chill on blasting as it may roughen the surface and collect dirt faster (but not sure).
If you buy carb cleaner in a one gallon can and dip/soak them that will do the trick if they are disassembled. Rubber parts will swell and become useless in that stuff. Last edited by Bob Kontak; 03-09-2012 at 08:53 AM.. |
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03-09-2012, 08:50 AM
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RETIRED
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"Purple Stuff"....50/50 mix with water. Adjutate with a wire brush.
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1983/3.6, backdate to long hood 2012 ML350 3.0 Turbo Diesel |
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03-09-2012, 08:57 AM
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Registered
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Wayne, PA
Posts: 2,010
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I blasted mine with excellent results. Then I was dumb. I sprayed them with WD40 thinking that it would prevent them from rusting. It didn't.
So feel free to blast. Just come up with a better rust preventative than I did.
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Christopher Mahalick 1984 911 Targa, 1974 Lotus Europa TCS 2001 BMW 530i(5spd!), Ducati 900 SS/SP 2006 Kawasaki Ninja 250, 2015 Yamaha R3 1965 Suzuki k15 Hillbilly, 1975 Suzuki GT750 |
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03-09-2012, 09:41 AM
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Registered
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Dallas
Posts: 3,593
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I sort of half a$$ tried a couple of things, including brake cleaner but they still look pretty grimy. What concerns me is whether or not there is any sort of surface treatment you need to be careful with. Are they anodized or anything? I really can't tell since they are so dirty. I'd like to paint mine but I don't want peeling paint which looks worse that a dirty caliper. Were you planning to paint them or just try to clean them up?
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Buck '88 Coupe, '87 Cab, '88 535i sold, '19 GLC 300 DD Warren Hall, gone but not forgotten |
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03-09-2012, 10:15 AM
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Schleprock
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Frankfort IL USA
Posts: 16,639
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The calipers were originally cadmium plated. New or reman'd ones nowadays are zinc plated.
You can definitely blast them. A fella recently showed his restoration skills here. Brake Caliper Rebuild He's going to black oxide treat them. I'd have them replated or powder coated. But remember their just iron, so if you leave them raw, they're going to have a nice orangy finish to them.
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Kevin L '86 Carrera "Larry" |
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03-09-2012, 10:24 AM
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Registered
Join Date: May 2004
Location: New Hampshire
Posts: 6,151
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 I bought a small Soda Blasting unit from Harbor Freight and it works wonderful for these small parts. Do it outside or build a cabinet of some sort (wooden one w a light, gloves & a plastic window will work) that is semi air tight with a vacuum cleaner to draw out the dust. Cleans aluminum parts like you would not believe. Len
Last edited by BoxsterGT; 03-09-2012 at 10:43 AM.. |
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03-09-2012, 10:40 AM
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Local Mad Scientist
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just a warning... carb cleaner with eat at the rubber unless you are planning on replacing all that.
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1982 Porsche 911sc 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo X CPA-PCA Member Since 2012 |
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03-09-2012, 12:05 PM
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Local Mad Scientist
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By the way, I will be posting more pictures tonight to update. I just got done the oxidizing treatment in the lab today. They turned out great. Then off to powder coat on the areas I want powder.
Quote:
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1982 Porsche 911sc 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo X CPA-PCA Member Since 2012 |
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03-09-2012, 12:08 PM
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RETIRED
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When in doubt, talk to Eric. PMB Performance: About Us (801) 674-3669
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1983/3.6, backdate to long hood 2012 ML350 3.0 Turbo Diesel |
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03-09-2012, 12:32 PM
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1981 Porsche 911 SC Targa
Da cab
