Yellowing/stain removal for a coolant tank - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**71CHEVYSHORTBED402** · 11-12-2015, 11:16 PM

I located a very cool rare as heck original (dealer add on) coolant expansion tank. It's got some yellowing and a few stains on the exterior, but super nice. Has half a sticker left, so NOS left in the open, early take off and/or off a clean truck.

My first instinct to clean was fine sand paper. Now I'm thinking baking soda in water and fine steel wool. Even white vinegar. Anyone with experience knows what works best? The goal is like new or close, and of course no damage. Thank you.

**FirstOwner69** · 11-12-2015, 11:39 PM

I would not use either sandpaper or steel wool. They will alter the original texture. I'd start with a kitchen cleanser such as Comet, which contains a mild bleach, and a damp terry towel rag. If you want to be a bit more aggressive after trying that, try a brass bristle brush with the cleanser. Be gentle with it though.

**71CHEVYSHORTBED402** · 11-12-2015, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FirstOwner69

I would not use either sandpaper or steel wool. They will alter the original texture. I'd start with a kitchen cleanser such as Comet, which contains a mild bleach, and a damp terry towel rag. If you want to be a bit more aggressive after trying that, try a brass bristle brush with the cleanser. Be gentle with it though.

Sounds good.......Thank you. But I'm thinking nylon brush.
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**ho70** · 11-13-2015, 12:53 AM

Mr Clean magic erasure works great on vinyl, give it a try

**71CHEVYSHORTBED402** · 11-13-2015, 01:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ho70

Mr Clean magic erasure works great on vinyl, give it a try

Interesting "Cleans textured surfaces, plastic patio furniture and alloy care wheels."

**leddzepp** · 11-13-2015, 02:01 AM

Muriatic (pool) acid. Wear gloves and a respirator (do not breathe the fumes)

midniteblues · 11-13-2015, 07:37 AM

They all sound like great ideas for cleaning out the tank.
When I did the one in my Pontiac I cleaned it out real good and filled it with bleach. It helped some of the yellowing.

cdowns · 11-13-2015, 03:37 PM

me i'd use some crc swish it around and then rinse with warm water

Ochre Ogre · 11-13-2015, 03:57 PM

I second the magic eraser, that's how I cleaned mine. Also cleaned of black over spray from PO "detail" job

**jayoldschool** · 11-13-2015, 05:32 PM

Westely's Bleche Wite. If you can get the old formula, it's much better.

**71CHEVYSHORTBED402** · 11-13-2015, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leddzepp

Muriatic (pool) acid. Wear gloves and a respirator (do not breathe the fumes)

Someone recently told me white vinegar is diluted Muriatic acid. I just looked it up, it's diluted acetic acid. Muriatic acid is diluted hydrochloric acid. That said, white vin. might work also, it's just not as strong. I have a bottle of each. Thanks.

Incidentally, from what I can tell, all stains and discolor are on the outside of this bottle.

11-12-2015, 11:16 PM	#1
71CHEVYSHORTBED402 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern Nevada Posts: 7,325	Yellowing/stain removal for a coolant tank I located a very cool rare as heck original (dealer add on) coolant expansion tank. It's got some yellowing and a few stains on the exterior, but super nice. Has half a sticker left, so NOS left in the open, early take off and/or off a clean truck. My first instinct to clean was fine sand paper. Now I'm thinking baking soda in water and fine steel wool. Even white vinegar. Anyone with experience knows what works best? The goal is like new or close, and of course no damage. Thank you. __________________ Tony 71 Custom Deluxe, SWB, 2WD, 402, A/C. I developed an assembly kit for restoring the (a) truck from the ground up. My build thread, and more on the assembly kit https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=730025

11-12-2015, 11:39 PM	#2
FirstOwner69 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wisconsin & Arizona Posts: 4,852	Re: Yellowing/stain removal for a coolant tank I would not use either sandpaper or steel wool. They will alter the original texture. I'd start with a kitchen cleanser such as Comet, which contains a mild bleach, and a damp terry towel rag. If you want to be a bit more aggressive after trying that, try a brass bristle brush with the cleanser. Be gentle with it though.

11-13-2015, 12:53 AM	#4
ho70 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Winnipeg, Mb Posts: 1,115	Re: Yellowing/stain removal for a coolant tank Mr Clean magic erasure works great on vinyl, give it a try

11-13-2015, 02:01 AM	#6
leddzepp Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Southern Cal Posts: 20,036	Re: Yellowing/stain removal for a coolant tank Muriatic (pool) acid. Wear gloves and a respirator (do not breathe the fumes) __________________ 1972 C/10 Cheyenne Super SWB. Restored, loaded, slammed. 1968 C/10 50th Anniversary LWB. Unrestored, stock, daily driver/work truck. RIP ElJay RIP 67ChevyRedneck RIP Grumpy Old Man RIP FleetsidePaul

11-13-2015, 07:37 AM	#7
midniteblues Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: strausstown pa Posts: 3,394	Re: Yellowing/stain removal for a coolant tank They all sound like great ideas for cleaning out the tank. When I did the one in my Pontiac I cleaned it out real good and filled it with bleach. It helped some of the yellowing. __________________ 81 camaro 355 4/spd 342 posi my first love. 67 swb step 454/4spd ott 373 posi 4/7 drop. 2000 s10 zr2 little blue truck that never gets stuck. '74 heald super bronc vt8. tecumseh powered moon rover.

11-13-2015, 03:37 PM	#8
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: Yellowing/stain removal for a coolant tank me i'd use some crc swish it around and then rinse with warm water __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

11-13-2015, 03:57 PM	#9
Ochre Ogre Registered User Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Federal Way Washington Posts: 119	Re: Yellowing/stain removal for a coolant tank I second the magic eraser, that's how I cleaned mine. Also cleaned of black over spray from PO "detail" job __________________ Tim 1971 C10 Cheyenne 350/350

11-13-2015, 05:32 PM	#10
jayoldschool Moderator Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: ON, Canada Posts: 2,176	Re: Yellowing/stain removal for a coolant tank Westely's Bleche Wite. If you can get the old formula, it's much better.



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