cleaning rusty parts

[andys70c10]

I just scored a complete ps setup for my truck & was wondering the best way to clean the parts before installing them? The crank pulleys are the worst & i dont have a bead blaster or anything like that. i was thinking about using a metal brush attachment for a drill? any ideas or tips. Thanks

[chevy one]

A wire cup brush works well with a 4 inch grinder. Harbor freight has them for a fair price. Be careful it can bite and give road rash.

[iliveintn]

i'm not sure of the exact procedure but saturday on trucks on Spike they showed a way using water and baking soda mixed together and connecting a battery charger to the piece and the other to a piece of steel in the water. if you can find the episode the whole process worked really well for the piece they cleaned.

[dave2953]

I used a wire wheel attachment on my 4.5" grinder. I got it at a local parts house and it works great. Sure does suck when the brush wires come lose and stick into your skin, though.

[brad_man_72]

i like the twisted wire wheels + 4" grinder, im sure theirs a ton of safety equipment im forgetting. nothing like digging wires out of your clothes and any exposed flesh. if youre bored you can rig up a reverse electrolisis bucket.

[stope4]

If you're not going to blast it, I'd just lightly sand it getting the high spots out, use some cleaner to remove the oils and grease and paint it with some 7777 semigloss black Rustoleum.

[sjarrett71]

I got some chemical rust remover from Autozone that worked great. I don't remember the name of it but it was in a small silver jug. You just soak your part in it and the rust desolves. I cleaned several parts with it. You can also dip your clean part into it to prevent flash rust.