Cleaning suspension parts

[Texas Bob]

Didn't know where else to stick this, but generally speaking what is your preferred product and technique for making those suspension and drive train parts look new? Although nothing too bad I C5 IFS and IRS to make new. Thanks.

[HILROD]

I sandblast and paint or powdercoat everything. The aluminum is a bit harder. It could be media blasted or maybe simple green, or naval jelly then cleared.

[Scatpack]

naval jelly? green jelly? what is that stuff and what does it do?

[Texas Bob]

naval jelly? green jelly? what is that stuff and what does it do?

I believe that in referrence to Naval Jelly, that is the stuff that goes on over surface rust and stops it. Once dried you can then paint over. Common at parts stores.

I'm interested in effectively removing the road grime and small amounts of rust then installing new bushings and what not. So I'll pass on the naval jelly. Do most of you hit it with a heavy duty brush, soap and water then attack stubburn areas with Simple Green? Once cleaned then you bust some rust and repaint if necessary? That's what I'm getting at.

[B Schein]

We glass bead then clear C5 compontes all the time a 21st Centry Street Macheins . PPG makes a clear for aluminum.

[HILROD]

The naval jelly won't clean the grime, it will brighten up already degreased dingy aluminum. Bead or media blasting is better, but you can't do it cheaply at home.

[thedugan]

POR15 marine clean is the best for cleaning it up, then just power wash the parts. And or Sand Blast it
http://www.por15.com/s.nl/it.A/id.12...2&category=139

Paint with POR15 metal mask
http://www.por15.com/s.nl/it.A/id.1431/.f

Good stuff. Doing my front end with it now

[180SX_Faktory]

I'm currently refurbishing my rear subframe, and the bit-piece parts for the suspension. I wash the parts with simple green and pressure water, and then I use a steel bristle wire wheel to knock down corrosion and to take off any old paint. Paint stripper works great, but to me, it's messy. I wash the parts with automotive thinner before putting down some primer and then paint them followed by clear coat. Aluminum parts are best done with same methodology, and oxidation can be knocked down quite easy with the wire wheel, as well. If you have a dremel set, you can use a dremel to get at hard to reach areas that have corrosion, as well as to clean out any grime you can't access. If you want to polish up the aluminum, different rouges and polishing wheels can be used, but I recommend having a specialist do that kind of work if you have never done it (or don't want to do it yourself).