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Best Way To Clean/restore Older Warn Hubs

Discussion in 'Early Jeep Restoration and Research' started by mickeykelley, Mar 18, 2017.

  1. Mar 18, 2017
    mickeykelley

    mickeykelley Well-Known Member

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    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?
     
  2. Mar 18, 2017
    Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

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    Harbor Freight Ultra Sonic Cleaner (the one with heat).
    Testers.

    Can't wait to see them before & after.
     
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  3. Mar 19, 2017
    haighfam

    haighfam Member

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    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.
     
  4. Mar 19, 2017
    sterlclan

    sterlclan Member 2022 Sponsor

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    cant say enough good things about the heated sonic hf cleaner. use it for all kinds of stuff. simple green and water.
     
  5. Mar 19, 2017
    Twin2

    Twin2 not him 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    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
     
    Last edited: Mar 19, 2017
  6. Mar 19, 2017
    mickeykelley

    mickeykelley Well-Known Member

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    Can you post a before and after? Especially interested in the sanding end result.
     
  7. Mar 19, 2017
    mickeykelley

    mickeykelley Well-Known Member

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    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.
     
  8. Mar 19, 2017
    Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

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    If you get the HFUC you don't need any special solvent.

    I use Purple Power, I found that Simple Green is hard on metals. It can stain aluminum engine parts very badly.
     
  9. Mar 19, 2017
    mickeykelley

    mickeykelley Well-Known Member

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    So just water as the instructions say?
     
  10. Mar 19, 2017
    wheelie

    wheelie beeg dummy 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

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    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.
     
  11. Mar 19, 2017
    mickeykelley

    mickeykelley Well-Known Member

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    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.
     
  12. Mar 19, 2017
    Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

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    I fill the cleaner with Purple Power to the min fill line, then I add water to cover the parts.
     
  13. Mar 19, 2017
    Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

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    They probably had someone complain at some point, now there's a disclaimer.

    Try it and keep an eye on it. If you're going to sand and paint... It doesn't seem like it will matter anyway.
     
  14. Mar 19, 2017
    haighfam

    haighfam Member

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    Best After Pic I have, Before looked about like yours.
    [​IMG]
     
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  15. Mar 19, 2017
    mickeykelley

    mickeykelley Well-Known Member

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    Does look good.
     
  16. Mar 28, 2017
    gotime

    gotime Sick with the car bug

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    Are they suppose to have black rings on the rear section? I've never seen that before.
     
  17. Mar 28, 2017
    haighfam

    haighfam Member

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    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.
     
  18. Mar 29, 2017
    mickeykelley

    mickeykelley Well-Known Member

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  19. Mar 29, 2017
    gotime

    gotime Sick with the car bug

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    Cool, thanks guys.
     
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