1G Best way to clean up Tstat housing?

[Mahreeoh17]

Purchased a 1G thermostat housing for my upcoming swap and it looks kinda beat. I'm wanting to clean it off a bit and probably spray it with some VHT silver to match the heads. I have a glass bead blaster at work, is this sufficient to clean it up a bit or will it get damaged? Not sure if it's aluminum or if that matters.

Dont know why this posted in the newbie forum but mods please move if necessary.

 

[19Eclipse90]

It ought to be fine. Yes, the housing is aluminum. Here’s some results and ideas for cleaning up aluminum:
From 2G Valve Cover Original Color? - Post #9 and Post #10.

 

[steve]

Tape up the sealing surfaces and blast away. Might want to degrease it first so you don't lock it in.

 

[Mahreeoh17]

Thank you guys. Same go for the throttle body? I'd like to clean the housing on that too.

 

[Mando Vee]

best way to clean these will be with an ultrasonic cleaner using pinesol or the purple simple green for aluminum cleaning

 

[pauleyman]

Thank you guys. Same go for the throttle body? I'd like to clean the housing on that too.

After you glass beads you may not want to paint it as it will look new. Up to you. The only process I've seen that is even better is vapor blasting. I've had several aluminum items glass beaded and they look great. Small parts I've now purchased a vibratory tumbler but I'm just now getting started.

 

[Bigmike4g63t]

I was wondering what to do about mine as well. I will probably glass bead it if that is safe.

 

[Mahreeoh17]

After you glass beads you may not want to paint it as it will look new. Up to you. The only process I've seen that is even better is vapor blasting. I've had several aluminum items glass beaded and they look great. Small parts I've now purchased a vibratory tumbler but I'm just now getting started.

I ended up spraying them with a Rust-Oleum enamel primer and metallic silver and they came out looking great. I wanted to paint just so it'd stop any future corrosion.

 

[92AWDHX40]

Paint 2k clear coat, sand blast, then glass bead. Spray some dullcote it may help too.

 

[jdxnc]

Ultrasonic cleaners do a very nice job on aluminum and many other parts, one of the best investments I've made in my garage.

This is after only 20 minutes. For really bad stuff sometimes you need to brush the heavy grime and run a second cycle but it does a great job overall.

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[92AWDHX40]

Ooh I love that idea man gonna look into that.

 

[Bigmike4g63t]

I have a small ultrasonic. The throttle body would fit in it. Barely.

 

[92AWDHX40]

Nice for small stuff,, big stuff I want to glass bead ill be doing small stuff, over the winter.

 

[Bigmike4g63t]

Nice for small stuff,, big stuff I want to glass bead ill be doing small stuff, over the winter.

I bought a media blasting cabinet for this project on my car. I also had to buy a 60 gal air compressor to run it bc my 20 gal was nowhere big enough. I have been glass beading a lot of stuff.

 

[curt-s]

If I had a cabinet and a 60gal tank on a gas run compressor, I would find whatever I could around the house to blast..

 

[r3dmak]

Vapor hone for sure, i found a local guy who does it and you can't tell the difference between new and used

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[pauleyman]

I was wondering what to do about mine as well. I will probably glass bead it if that is safe.

Vapor hone for sure, i found a local guy who does it and you can't tell the difference between new and used

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Somebody did a better job with your coolant than most I see. All the connections are usually corroded/pitted. Yours look new.

 

[Bigmike4g63t]

If I had a cabinet and a 60gal tank on a gas run compressor, I would find whatever I could around the house to blast..

Mine runs on 220v.

Vapor hone for sure, i found a local guy who does it and you can't tell the difference between new and used

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That looks awesome!

 

[curt-s]

Mine runs on 220v.

Even better, that would be then be two uses for my 220v I put in my garage. The other is a 5kw heater. I live in a excruciatingly hot then excruciatingly cold climate, what can I say..