Original Tower Hose Clamp Cleanup

[Larry E.]

Hello:

Rummaging through my garage the other day and found some of my
brothers original 66 Corvette Hose Clamps. (Dated 4/66) (He bought
the car in NJ brand new in 66 for about $3900 as I recall!) Anyway what
would be the best way to clean them up? A lot of grim and dirt on them.
I got them soaking in solvet for
now. Would sandblasting them be to harsh on them and erase the markings? Emery cloth perhaps. Give me some ideas to make them look
new.

Larry

[Terry M.]

Re: Original Tower Hose Clamp Cleanup

Original tower clamps made by Wittek, Chicago IL were slit from galvanized sheet. I have seen a number of attempts at electroplating the assembled clamps, but none of them have looked like the original finish. Perhaps there is a secret out there yet to be revealed.

So based on that observation I would caution you against using any abrasive unless the clamps are rusty -- in which case the original galvanizing is already gone in the area that is corroded -- and you then have nothing to lose.

[Harmon C.]

Re: Original Tower Hose Clamp Cleanup

I use low air pressure walnut shucks and a quiick blast with the foot pedal. Get some old junk parts to test your method before you make junk out of good parts.

[John D.]

Re: Original Tower Hose Clamp Cleanup

Larry, Once you have the grime off/from the clamps try this trick.
Go to NAPA and get some "Twin Etch". It's not cheap.
For your clamp go borrow a glass or plastic measuring cup from the kitchen.
Put in a 1/2 oz shot of Twin Etch and the rest water. Swish the mixture around. Then put the clamp in and swirl it around for about 20 secons. Remove it quickly and rinse with water and blow dry.
Won't be perfect but it will be an improvement.
Twin Etch is phospheric acid, etc. Good stuff.

Say your friends cad plater gives you back a piece that looks like someone threw up on it. Has brown spots, etc. Give the part a bath in "twin etch" and water for 10 seconds or so and watch it come out real pretty.
then give the part a squirt of Pledge polish and wipe dry.

Hint: weak solutions are the trick. Strong solutions are to be avoided JD.

Not to be critical but I keep reading here that members suggest glass beading steel parts before having them zincad. If you do it takes away the nice original grain of the metal and gives you a metal flake look.
Yes glass beading is easy and quick. But it's not always the way to go. Of course if the part is totally trashed and very rusty then you have no other option.
Trick is to strip the parts yourself with the proper chemicals. Then have your plater give you some of his soapy solution that you can soak the parts in at home so they don't rust on the way to the platers.

I learned the plating preparation from my the founder of the Pittsburgh chapter. None other than Barry Holmes.

[Larry E.]

Re: Original Tower Hose Clamp Cleanup

Checked with local NAPA store and they indicate that the smallest
quantity for "Twin Etch" is one gallon at $81.00. That's not all; none
is available in the reginal NAPA network. Would have to try to go outside
of region to get; then is only iffy to get it shipped. Any other ideas or
products to help me?

Larry

[Terry M.]

Re: Original Tower Hose Clamp Cleanup

That sounds like a product that is on the edge of extinction. HHHmmmm.

[Richard G.]

Re: Original Tower Hose Clamp Cleanup

I wouldn't worry about it going out because of the EPA.
Phosphoric Acid (Yes, that Chemical in Coca Cola)

You may find it less expensive by checking with your local paint shop. It is also one of the active ingredients in in rust-mort and Areo-Kroil. You can get it is quart or gallons at Home Depot. Or just use Coke. It just takes a little longer that's all. Actually phosphoric does not dissolve rust it converts it to iron phosphate.
Rick

[Tom S.]

Re: Original Tower Hose Clamp Cleanup

When I was a kid on the farm my grandfather used Coke to loosen rusty bolts for years. It worked, or so he thought!

[Edward J.]

Re: Original Tower Hose Clamp Cleanup

I was aways wondering why my stomach bothered me after each glass of coke .

[Dick W.]

Re: Original Tower Hose Clamp Cleanup

Phosphoric acid comes under many names from many manufacturers. It is used to etch bare metal or aluminum prior to priming and painting. With the advent of the self etching primers it is not used as often as before. I would not be surprised if you could not buy a diluted version at Lowe's

[Larry E.]

Re: Original Tower Hose Clamp Cleanup

I got them cleaned up a bit from my local powder painter who put them
in his small non abrasive blaster. He used non abrasive iron particles.
I hope these pictures show up OK. Here is the kicker: Found the upper
row of clamps dated 2/63; bottoms are 4/66. I'm not 100% sure all of
them came off of my brothers 66 S/B Coupe but am 99% sure. Question:
Could it be possible the car came with some 2/63 tower clamps?? I have
since sprayed the clamps with a product call "Fluid Film" a metal protector
which is talked a lot on the Camaro Discussion Boards.
Comments are always welcome. Thanks; Larry