Am I ok to use a wire wheel on my muffler and some oxidized aluminium?

[Hotshot]

Just wondering if I screwed up anything... I decided to tidy up my engine bay and underside of my car. I have a few wire brush drill attachments and had some whites Aluminium Oxidation that wasn’t coming off with cleaners, fan frame, bolt tops, pipes..

I like a non dirty rusty muffler. I do know that some oily dirt under the fenders acts as a barrier. Still, my car had no rust on it but I’m always looking.

Also, there was a bumper support that must have taken a hit before me, and had a little rust. I used the wire wheel to get the rust off and used some rust inhibiter and will paint the outside till.

So here’s some pics. Wondering on finishing the muffler..

Won’t touch the block.

[jlex]

No real opinion on what you're doing.... just make sure you use eye protection. Wire fragment in the eye is no joke.

[Hotshot]

100%. Normally I have a mask on too but the wind was blowing it all away. I just don’t know if I’m ruining the surface or should apply something to it once it’s clean.

[Locker537]

I would paint any of the simple brackets, like the one that adds support to the fender.

I would not paint the muffler or anything else that gets hot.

[Hotshot]

Originally Posted by Locker537

I would paint any of the simple brackets, like the one that adds support to the fender.

I would not paint the muffler or anything else that gets hot.

Of course. But just shining up the muffler won’t hurt it right?

[Snitzler]

Some thoughts, use a brass wheel rather than steel. If you clean fittings, they will just corrode even faster as you have removed any left over plating and exposed bare metal. I cleaned up that bracket that protects the wiring for the fuel level sensor and it looks worse now. That first picture needs a weld repair. Lots of corrosion, was or is your car near salt water?

[Hotshot]

Originally Posted by Snitzler

Some thoughts, use a brass wheel rather than steel. If you clean fittings, they will just corrode even faster as you have removed any left over plating and exposed bare metal. I cleaned up that bracket that protects the wiring for the fuel level sensor and it looks worse now. That first picture needs a weld repair. Lots of corrosion, was or is your car near salt water?

Live in north east. Normaly salt and rust. But this car hasn’t seen winter in over 25 years. Car has Zero rust, but.. that piece you see is a little support bracket that holds the bumper in place. I noticed a little rust as it was bent at some point, cracked and moister got in. Covered over years of crud, until I inspected it. So I cleaned it out and sprayed it. I’ll paint it too.

If I can get a new one I will if not, welding it is.


Agreed with brass and it was wondering about that plating. My try a thin coat of rust proofing oil.

I wonder about the muffler..

[stownsen914]

If your car is an 86, I think the stock muffler is a 4xx stainless alloy, which will rust some (just not nearly as bad as steel). I don't recall that they are coated since they are stainless. In which case I wouldn't see any harm in taking a wire wheel to it.

[Hotshot]

Originally Posted by stownsen914

If your car is an 86, I think the stock muffler is a 4xx stainless alloy, which will rust some (just not nearly as bad as steel). I don't recall that they are coated since they are stainless. In which case I wouldn't see any harm in taking a wire wheel to it.

Yup, 86. Early one. Built July 85. There are hints of 85 in it. I’m noticing some tells.

Awesome! I took a soft brass dremel brush to the gold plated hardware. Once the oxidation was off I used a wipe of rust inhibiter on them.

A little Mguires Ultimate Black on the intake and plastic/Rubber. Also the plug Gaurds.

[911pcars]

Wire brushes using steel wire can break off and embed into softer materials. If so, the wire will corrode (rust) and will appear in the softer material.

A more thorough method of cleaning, especially for subsequent coating for paint, is to use one of several "blasting" processes (sand, glass bead, walnut shell, vapor, etc.) or chemical dipping. A conversion chemical like POR can be used, but it's not heat resistant; better for non-heated parts.

Sherwood

[Hotshot]

Good to know. Man o man I love this forum and you guys.. Knowledge bank is huge.

[Bob Kontak]

Genuine Porsche support bracket - $23.

https://www.pelicanparts.com/More_Info/91150162801OEM.htm?pn=911-501-628-01-OEM&bt=Y&fs=0&SVSVSI=807

[356911930]

Hotshot,

It looks like that oil line in picture #3 above needs to be replaced ASAP! You don't want to have that come apart.

Rahl

[Hotshot]

Originally Posted by 356911930

Hotshot,

It looks like that oil line in picture #3 above needs to be replaced ASAP! You don't want to have that come apart.

Rahl

I noticed that. It had surface corrosion on it and I used the wheel and found that. It has a little crack in just on the base. Agree it needs replacement but there’s been no leaks and the PO had the car 7 years. Defiantly monitoring now as I literately just found it.

[Brian Cameron]

I’d be careful wire brushing aluminum and rust (iron oxide). Mix those two and you get an exciting compound known as “thermite”.

[Hotshot]

Originally Posted by Brian Cameron

I’d be careful wire brushing aluminum and rust (iron oxide). Mix those two and you get an exciting compound known as “thermite”.

Go on...

[Brian Cameron]

See for yourself

https://www.iforgeiron.com/topic/46297-warning-warning-warning-thermite/

[Hotshot]

Wow. For years I’ve used a wire wheel to polish metal and remove rust off of things. Glad I hosed everything down after.

So... what do you use?

[Brian Cameron]

Well, you’re probably ok to use a wire brush because it likely won’t generate enough heat to ignite the mix. I’d avoid using a grinder though, unless you clean the dust covers before / after aluminium grinding / shaping.

[Hotshot]

Originally Posted by Brian Cameron

Well, you’re probably ok to use a wire brush because it likely won’t generate enough heat to ignite the mix. I’d avoid using a grinder though, unless you clean the dust covers before / after aluminium grinding / shaping.

It was a wire brush on a dremel and a drill.