Cleaning/Protecting steel brackets Aux Air Regulator

[TomoHawk]

I've been taking certain pieces off the top of my fuel-injected L28 engine and cleaning them individually, and I plan on re-installing the stuff before I go after the injector rail. So far I took of the AFM and the Aux air regulator.

there were some steel brackets that I removed that hold hoses in place. These were 'protected' by a layer of crud, but after cleaning it looks like it's bare steel. I'd like to protect these in some whay before I put them back on. I've heard of people soaking chain in ATF or some mineral oil or something to prevent rusting. Any thoughts? I'm going after the fuel rail soon. Engine looking too nice now to drive around and re-rust them. :disappoin

Air Regulator--

Does the Aux air regulator come apart? I'd like to clean & lube the inside, and check the heater element. The atlanticZ club article (AtlanticZ Club Tech Section)shows the thing apart, but I don't see an easy way to open it. The outside is easy enough to clean.

thx

[LanceM]

Clear powder coat would be perfect or a color of your choice, there is always just regular old paint too. Putting any of the oils on them would be a temporary fix and just attract more crud.

[240ZX]

TomoHawk, For the steel brackets and attaching steel hardware, you may want to consider having them plated using the yellow chromate process. Alot of the original steel pieces were done this way. Pretty inexpensive as long as you do them all at one time. Just a thought!

[webdawg1]

You might consider the "High Temp" POR-15 line of paints. Eastwood has several paint products you might be interested in checking out....bottom line tho, is what ever makes you happy and will look real good and last a long time.....

webdawg1

[TomoHawk]

I'm not really into powdercoating, and I prefer the natural look of the metal. I've been using clear polyurethane on the suspension parts, but these brackets have so many corners and joints that it would be hard to get an even coat of pain on all the surfaces. I will probably shine it a little first.

I think I will take a look at the Eastwood stuff. Duplicolor has a paint called "etalcast" that looks like anodizing. It says 500 degrees (intermittent) so maybe it'll hold up to the heat in the intake area long-term.

Is there a DIY Cadmium kit?

thx

[webdawg1]

Almost forgot...They also have a "Tin-Zinc Electroplating System" that might be of some interest to you. With the "Tin-Zinc" system you could do the various brackets "In House" and not have to send them out to be done...

webdawg1

[TomoHawk]

So what I'm doing is to give the parts a cleaning with GoJo & a scotchbrite pad or some mineral spirits, then a soapy wash & rinse. Then if it's rusty, I'll soak it in EvapoRust. Then, a little polishing with fine steel wool, and a light coat of satin clear polyurethane. The idea is to clean & derust, and protect the part, while still having it look like bare metal.

I had to get a new Aux Air Valve,