Clean Muffler?

[Chris Fretz]

What is the best way to clean up a muffler with burnt on castor oil that won't ruin the finish?

[Chris Fretz]

Maybe polish it too...

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[kenneth cook]

            Try Mother's aluminum polish.

[Jim Oliver]

I don't usually let mine get quite that bad before cleaning but 91% alcohol and a stiff nylon brush does a good job of removing the baked on oil.

If the oil is really hard (yours looks like it qualifies) you will need to soak in the alky for a while to soften it up.  I haven't tried heating with hot air gun but that may also soften the oil enough to make it easier to remove.

[Dan McEntee]

  Use the same crock pot method you would to clean the engine, or find some Dawn Pwoer disolver for cleaning pots and pans. Then as was mentioned, get after it with some aluminum polish and repolish it frequently to keep it that way.
    Type at you later,
    Dan McEntee

[EddyR]

Original finish is just polished aluminum. Just sand it with 600,1000,then 1500. Polish and it will look better than new. Very easy and it does not take long.
Ed

[Don Jenkins]

What is the best way to clean up a muffler with burnt on castor oil that won't ruin the finish?

Demon Clean, brush it on, wait a few minutes, wipe it off.  Use a small stiff nylon brush to get into the crevices.

Don

[Chris Fretz]

            Try Mother's aluminum polish.

I was trying that last night but wouldn't touch the the stuff.

I don't usually let mine get quite that bad before cleaning but 91% alcohol and a stiff nylon brush does a good job of removing the baked on oil.

If the oil is really hard (yours looks like it qualifies) you will need to soak in the alky for a while to soften it up.  I haven't tried heating with hot air gun but that may also soften the oil enough to make it easier to remove.

I bought it from a guy on here and that's how it looked when I got it. 

  Use the same crock pot method you would to clean the engine, or find some Dawn Pwoer disolver for cleaning pots and pans. Then as was mentioned, get after it with some aluminum polish and repolish it frequently to keep it that way.
    Type at you later,
    Dan McEntee

I bought a crock pot at a garage sale for a $1 minus the lid for that sort of thing. I read it pits the aluminum, not sure I haven't tried it yet.  What does a blue LA look look after doing that? Dull or like the silver Las?

Demon Clean, brush it on, wait a few minutes, wipe it off.  Use a small stiff nylon brush to get into the crevices.

Don

Where did you get that at?

[Don Jenkins]

Brodak's has the Demon Clean.

Don

[Chris Fretz]

Original finish is just polished aluminum. Just sand it with 600,1000,then 1500. Polish and it will look better than new. Very easy and it does not take long.
Ed

I'll probably end up doing that.

[Gerald Arana]

I'll probably end up doing that.

Do it the easy way.......... Get some "Prestone" aluminum friendly anti freeze
and stick it in the crock pot over night and it will come off with an acid brush which has been cut down to 1/4" bristles.

Then you'll have a clean surface to start your polish job.

Cheers, Jerry

[FLOYD CARTER]

Instead of buying something new, I use wet sandpaper, finishing with Blue Magic polish.

[Chris Fretz]

1 step closer

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[Chris Fretz]

Ok crock pot does do pretty good. I guess I'll sand and polish now.

[Dan McEntee]

       I have never had a crock pot treatment pit or attack aluminum. I don't think there is ANY anti freeze sold these days that isn't comparable with aluminum since there is so much of it in the radiators, heads and engine blocks these days. Someone may have a 40 year old jug of old stuff that has been sitting in the back ot the top shelf in the garage! I use low heat on my stuff. It will take paint off. Older SuperTiger engines are painted, or have some kind of coating on them. I don't know if the blue OS engines are painted or powder coated, and I haven't had the need to crock pot one yet. One product I have been meaning to try on an old, crusty engine or muffler is paint remover. I have some of that Z-Best engine cleaner and that is what it smelled like to me and if I got some on my hand is burned the same way! The stuff that has airplanes on the can should be OK for aluminum.
  Type at you later,
   Dan McEntee

[Chris Fretz]

Sweet!

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[Chris Fretz]

 Well it's pretty obvious I just gained about 25hp with this little baby!

[john e. holliday]

Now can I send all mine for your magic touch?   That looks great, but for how long?

[Chris Fretz]

Now can I send all mine for your magic touch?   That looks great, but for how long?

Only if you send the engines with them... you know so I can test them. Thanks though!  Now to build the ARF to go around this muffler!

[Dan McEntee]

     When it'shed up like that, the surface is much smoother and things have a less tendency to stick to it. It will last a while longer if you wipe the pipe off after each flight also and well as the rest of the model. As soon as you seen some discoloration, hit it with the rag and polish again. Semi-Chrome polish is good for this, oor any polish that is for shiny motorcycle pipes. You may not even have to take it off the engine. Now, get yourself a nice aluminum spinner all polished up to go with it!
   Type at you later,
     Dan McEntee

[Chris Fretz]

     When it'shed up like that, the surface is much smoother and things have a less tendency to stick to it. It will last a while longer if you wipe the pipe off after each flight also and well as the rest of the model. As soon as you seen some discoloration, hit it with the rag and polish again. Semi-Chrome polish is good for this, oor any polish that is for shiny motorcycle pipes. You may not even have to take it off the engine. Now, get yourself a nice aluminum spinner all polished up to go with it!
   Type at you later,
     Dan McEntee

What is your go to brand of aluminum spinners?

Chris

[Dan McEntee]

What is your go to brand of aluminum spinners?

Chris

   I generally use the Great Planes 2" spinners, or whatever size I need for a particular model. If I need a three blade, I order a Tru-Turn through the local Hobby Shop. They can order through Tower if it's a simple job with no special blade cut outs. You can also order direct through Tru-Turn. The Great Planes shaft adapter will work with either brand. Aluminum spinners cost more, but I think they are easier to work with if you have to reshape the cut outs, and if you have to they can be balanced. A polished spinner will go with just about any paint scheme, but if you need to, they can be primed and painted to match also.
   Type at you later,
   Dan McEntee