Methods for stripping an engine bay down
#1749388
02/08/15 08:07 PM
02/08/15 08:07 PM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 25,050 Texas
GoodysGotaCuda
OP
5.7L Hemi, 6spd
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OP
5.7L Hemi, 6spd
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 25,050
Texas
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I'd like to get my engine bay down to bare metal while things are apart and am trying to find the most effective way, on a budget, to do it. Sending the car out for work isn't a viable option right now. Options I see are: Chemical Stripping - Seems like a mess!!! Angle grinder with a cup brush - It'll work, but slow process Portable/Small Media blaster - I have a 60gal compressor, seems like an option? Which have you done and what would you recommend? Thanks-
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Re: Methods for stripping an engine bay down
[Re: Rhinodart]
#1749391
02/08/15 08:49 PM
02/08/15 08:49 PM
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,632 SHELBY TWP,,MICHIGAN
72N96RR
I LOVE WEDGIES
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I LOVE WEDGIES
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,632
SHELBY TWP,,MICHIGAN
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Chem stripping is am amazing mess and a big chore especially in an engine bay...but its the best at getting to everything...I used a metal etch primer before paint and 8 years later that car still looks mint..
1972 Road Runner / GTX 440 4spd Dana 3.54 Just about to turn 26K original miles..
A boat, a GMC truck, some Craftsman Tools, LOTS of Zombie Protection, and a few Goldfish..
If you love someone set them free.. If they come back it means nobody else wanted them either..!!
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Re: Methods for stripping an engine bay down
[Re: 72N96RR]
#1749392
02/08/15 09:10 PM
02/08/15 09:10 PM
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,696 jersey
Spaceman Spiff
master
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master
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,696
jersey
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What about a mobile soda blasting service?
526 cubes of angry wedge, pushbutton shifted, 9 passenger killer!
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Re: Methods for stripping an engine bay down
[Re: ahy]
#1749394
02/08/15 10:55 PM
02/08/15 10:55 PM
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,105 Western Md.
skicker
"The Champ"
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"The Champ"
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,105
Western Md.
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I've always used the wire brush-scrape and sand method. I bought an electric DA thru Dewalt and it makes it so much easier. No waiting on air and no noisy compressor running nonstop. Do yourself a favor and be sure to use some seam sealer around all of the areas where the panels are joined together. Use a very small amount and pull it tight like installing caulking. I've seen a few that were wire brushed, primed and painted and then started to show faint rust lines around the edges of the panels. Sucks when that happens since there is no good easy fix...
...FAFO...
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Re: Methods for stripping an engine bay down
[Re: GoodysGotaCuda]
#1749397
02/08/15 11:28 PM
02/08/15 11:28 PM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 28,312 Cincinnati, Ohio
Challenger 1
Too Many Posts
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Too Many Posts
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 28,312
Cincinnati, Ohio
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Quote:
I'd like to get my engine bay down to bare metal while things are apart and am trying to find the most effective way, on a budget, to do it. Sending the car out for work isn't a viable option right now.
Options I see are:
Chemical Stripping - Seems like a mess!!! Angle grinder with a cup brush - It'll work, but slow process Portable/Small Media blaster - I have a 60gal compressor, seems like an option?
Which have you done and what would you recommend?
Thanks-
I would never recommend any kind of abrasive media unless the car was a absolute bare shell. Because the media get's everywhere and nothing can be exposed to it while blasting. Plastic and tape is not enough.
Car inside or out?
Gasoline is cheap and cuts grease and grime fast and well.
Put it in a pump up garden sprayer and a parts cleaning brush from the auto parts store works really well and won't damage the metal. Gets in all the nooks and crannys better than any thing else by hand. Then if your got room to media blast, then I'd say pressure washer after that. Pressure washer is your friend and is perfectly suited for this kind of job.
Otherwise a wire brush on drill, but is so medieval to me. Like said, A putty knife and a torch would be my last choice and will scrap up the panels.
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Re: Methods for stripping an engine bay down
[Re: chrisf]
#1749398
02/09/15 12:04 AM
02/09/15 12:04 AM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 25,050 Texas
GoodysGotaCuda
OP
5.7L Hemi, 6spd
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OP
5.7L Hemi, 6spd
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 25,050
Texas
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Thank you for all of the replies! To touch on chemical stripping, the rest of the car is painted. I'd like to keep that paint, at least for now. Splash would definitely be a problem. The car can be inside or out without much trouble, it's on casters and I have a flat driveway. The engine bay isn't dirty, but with welding up a bunch of holes and grinding the welds, it seems as if I'd be better off stripping everything and laying down fresh primer. Seems like wire-wheelin' is still my best bet. I think the one I was using was a little too soft bristled/worn out to be very effective. I'll grab a new one, or three and get after it this weekend.
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Re: Methods for stripping an engine bay down
[Re: RUNCHARGER]
#1749400
02/09/15 01:19 AM
02/09/15 01:19 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,589 Eagle, Idaho
Neil
The Doctor is in.
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The Doctor is in.
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,589
Eagle, Idaho
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Big open areas = These in a drill http://img4-3.realsimple.timeinc.net/images/daily-finds/home/0509/df-3M-paint-rust-2_300.jpgWay better than any wire wheel for paint removal + they leave a great finish to apply primer to. Wear a dust mask or you'll have black boogers for a week. Tight spots = chase down by hand using 80 grit wrapped around a popsicle handle, wood paint stir sticks ect. NO metal as a backer as it can gouge the sheet metal if it pokes thru the sandpaper Seams = dental pick(s). You can get the paint off with surgical precision using the above. Don't drag the drill extension chord over your fenders.
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Re: Methods for stripping an engine bay down
[Re: GoodysGotaCuda]
#1749401
02/09/15 01:28 AM
02/09/15 01:28 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 18,423 UPPER MICHIGAN, MARQUETTE COUN...
NITROUSN
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 18,423
UPPER MICHIGAN, MARQUETTE COUN...
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Quote:
Portable/Small Media blaster - I have a 60gal compressor, seems like an option?
That is what I would use. Soda if possible. Just avoid areas where it could go in the car. Media will get all the nooks and crannies. The rest you will need to manually remove with various media/grit wheels or discs.
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Re: Methods for stripping an engine bay down
[Re: Cab_Burge]
#1749402
02/09/15 02:37 AM
02/09/15 02:37 AM
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Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 50 Wisconsin
stew
member
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member
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 50
Wisconsin
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I needed to do an engine bay in a Mustang in exchange for wedding photos. I used Easy Off oven cleaner and a pressure washer. The oven cleaner removed the Ziebart rustproofing that had been there since '67, took off all of the paint and primer to the bare metal!! It did not harm any plastic or rubber parts, just make sure you cover places you don't want it to go, like down the cowl vent. Did this one while the engine was in the car, and it cleaned up everything! Spray the oven cleaner on and let it sit for 5 minutes or so. DO NOT let it dry on. BE SURE TO WEAR EYE PROTECTION ( GOGGLES !!) AND A FACE SHIELD !! COVER ALL EXPOSED SKIN!! THIS STUFF IS MEAN AND EFFECTIVE !! Worked for me. JUST BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL. You'd have to be NUTS to use gasoline!! One small spark to set off the vapors and you're toast!
Last edited by stew; 02/09/15 02:42 AM.
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Re: Methods for stripping an engine bay down
[Re: roadrunninMark]
#1749405
02/09/15 08:06 PM
02/09/15 08:06 PM
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,404 Lee Co. Fla.
5carguy
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,404
Lee Co. Fla.
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Quote:
I found a pic. Way faster then a cup with wire brush and does a better job. It doesnt throw pieces of wire either. Use the "end" not the flat to do the stripping.
I use these all the time and they work great.
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Re: Methods for stripping an engine bay down
[Re: dart4forte]
#1749407
02/09/15 10:36 PM
02/09/15 10:36 PM
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 8,873 Ontario, Canada
Stanton
Don't question me!
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Don't question me!
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 8,873
Ontario, Canada
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No need to completely strip to bare metal - a lot of work for nothing. Clean it well. Weld, grind, prime, fill, sand, scuff the whole thing, prime the whole area and paint.
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