12 replies to this topic

[Indy Orange]

Hi ,I want to clean the casing of my alternator without damaging the windings ,what would be the best for this? Thanks Paul.

[Ice]

Mask up the windings then wire wheel it Paul

[grumpy xu1]

Pull it apart & hydroblast it, re do the zinc & it'll look like new.

[Ice]

Pull it apart & hydroblast it, re do the zinc & it'll look like new.

p
This would be better

[Indy Orange]

Thanks ,is the casing zinc to begin with?

Edited by Indy Orange, 18 June 2019 - 12:29 AM.

[Rockoz]

Casing is die cast aluminium.

It will respond well to cleaning and polishing.

Then give it a clear coat to protect the shine.

Will take hours to do.

You could also anodise it. That can be done in lots of different colours, and isnt that hard to do at home.

You really need to pull it a part to do a good job.

A mob called Caswell will sell you all the stuff you need to do the job.

I have already done home zinc plating successfully.

I have all the gear to do nickel plating as well, but am yet to set it up.

With zinc plating, you can then dip parts to get the goldy like finish that some bolts and brackets have.

Anodising uses the same basic stuff and you use fabric dies for colour.

 

I like the idea of doing it myself.

Parts dont get lost that way, and no minimum spend at the platers as well.

You could set yourself up to do all but the chrome plating on  your car for under a grand.

Less if you know how to scrounge stuff.

[Chips]

Am doing same at moment.

Tidying up a parked for 20 years and not the cleanest before being parked. All in preparation for registration.

All the metal bits are getting the treatment. bonnet latch, rusty areas, extractors, wiper motor, screen wash motor thing, inlet manifold, holley 4bbl carby rebuilt with kit.

Am going for the look of 42yo car that has seen some km's but in spotless and clean condition. Not a shiny eat dinner off aftermarket finish. at moment

 

Have done it all using Vinegar.- carby was soaked for few days in bits in icecream containers as needed a lot but all the rest are done in place using soaked towels.

 

All has come up perfect as I want it.

 

same effect as acid bath but without the cost, precautions, effort etc.

 

yep I'm cheap but it's an enjoyable fun challenge and I figure I can do it all 100% myself.

Edited by Chips, 18 June 2019 - 04:17 PM.

[Indy Orange]

Thankyou all for the helpful tips! Paul.

[Rockoz]

All the goldy looking things like carbs etc are zinc plated then dipped in a solution to get the colour.

The solution is relatively cheap and can often be used on previously plated parts for a freshen up.

How long you leave it dipped for determines the colour, as well as the strength of the solution.

They just need to be allowed to dry completely then the surface is as good as permanent.

Some parts may need a fresh quick coat of zinc, others just a clean as suggested, and vinegar will do.

Vinegar is also the base for the plating solution, so if you do decide to try replating, there are no nasty chemicals to worry about.

[Indy Orange]

Thanks Rob ,I'll try the vinegar for the clean up ,it's a pretty good original alternator and I don't really want to take apart if I can help it .

[Rockoz]

They are easy to take apart and put back together, especially with an inbuilt regulator.

I wouldnt immerse it in vinegar as it is, as the vinegar may be detrimental to the solder on the diodes. There are 9 of them.

And it will probably hurt the regulator. Not sure how the vinegar will go with the copper slip rings either.

Just use a centre punch to make sure the cases and stator line up for reassembly.

A single punch mark on each beside one of the screws will help.

Or just take lots of pics while pulling it apart.

[grumpy xu1]

To me, nothing else even comes close to the restored finish hydroblasting delivers. Definitely worth getting done.

[Ice]

To me, nothing else even comes close to the restored finish hydroblasting delivers. Definitely worth getting done.

Agree