70 Axle Housing Detailing Decision?

[Ralph B.]

I'm in the process of meticulously detailing the entire underside of the car in accordance with the rerquirements of the JM (best I can) --- a VERY long and tedious experience to say the least !

Anyway I'm now up to the rear axle and from what I can determine from the JM the entire housing should be natural.

My question is: are there any products available that can get this clean and remove surface rust effectively ---- or is wire brushing and lots "elbow grease" the only real solution whereas I do not intend to remove the unit from the car.

The easy way out I guess, would be just a light wire brushing, solvent clean and then brush on a quality "as cast" paint --- this would give the housing very good look, but a no no as far as judging goes?

Any thoughts would be much appreciated,
Ralph

[Jack H.]

Re: 70 Axle Housing Detailing Decision?

That's a problem everyone faces... If the part was originally left as naturally cast, the application of a coating to thwart re-intoduction of oxidation will probably be detected and take a deduction based on the surface having a 'foreign' coating on it.

So, it's the horns of a dilema situation where one trades off originality points for condition points. Sometimes it's a zero sum game...

On getting iron oxide scale off a naturally cast piece, why not consider thoroughly de-greasing it and then putting chemistry to work for you? By that, I mean a rust removal jelly like Naval Gel...

[Edward S.]

Re: 70 Axle Housing Detailing Decision?

To go along with your intent of not taking the unit out - I know one of my friends used a liquid rust remover and heavy duty paper towels. He poured the remover into a large flat pan and dipped sheets of the toweling into it. The wet towel would then adhere to anything it was applied to. He just wrapped his axle and patted it against any rust and let it stay for quite a long time. It seemed to make the removel of surface rust alot easier, have no idea what degree of rust your talking about. Good luck.

[Michael B.]

Re: 70 Axle Housing Detailing Decision?

To control rusting I used a Rust Inhibitor product from Rustoleum for my undercarrage items. This is not a clear paint. It goes on with the consistancy a little heavier than WD-40 and takes about 1/2 hour to dry. Visually, it is nearly undetectable but does have a slight waxy feel to the touch.