Best Way To Clean/restore Older Warn Hubs

Getting in some of the 3 ring Warn hubs. I'd like to clean then, polish up, repaint, etc., to get them back close to how they looked originally. After all cleaned and ready, I want to repaint the black rings and the red wording/dots on the brass knob. So, first, what is best to clean them in, kerosene? Parts cleaner? Next, what is the best method to remove so scratches, etc.? Wet sanding? Filing? Third, best way to polish the brass knob? And finally, what paint to use that will really last? Testers? I plan to use a small model paintbrush to just pull through the rings. Or is there a better way? Clear coat?

 

I use Castrol Purple Power to clean along with whatever brushes to get them clean
then degrease with acetone. I sanded mine working down from 240 to 400. Used paint pens with the appropriate colors then clear coated the whole assembly. Look just like new.

 

cant say enough good things about the heated sonic hf cleaner. use it for all kinds of stuff. simple green and water.

 

I really can't remember . but I think someone here soaked there hubs in that . and were eaten up by the following day .
edit: simple green is bad for aluminum

 

Can you post a before and after? Especially interested in the sanding end result.

 

Well, I guess it's a trip to HF today. I'm assuming some initial solvent like kerosene to remove as much grime as possible.

 

So just water as the instructions say?

 

I clean everything up with kerosene. Then hit the outside surfaces with Scotch Brite. I used my Dremel with brass wire brushes to get into the area where the bolt heads pass by and seat.

 

I did find this about doing aluminum in ultra sonic cleaners.

Quote:
Because aluminum is such a soft metal, it is susceptible to the cavitation implosions that ultrasound cleaning produces. The cavitation bubbles can actually scar and slightly etch away the top surface, leaving what looks like star bursts.

 

Best After Pic I have, Before looked about like yours.

 

Does look good.

 

Are they suppose to have black rings on the rear section? I've never seen that before.

 

I found what I thought was black paint in the grooves, could have just been grime. Painted the grooves anyway for the extra detail. I had a spare set that looked like they were painted.

 

The ones on my 55 wagon are definately black. Here is pic of official cut away on ewillys.

http://www.ewillys.com/wp-content/uploads2/2017/02/image1.jpg

 

Cool, thanks guys.