removing white rust on engine

**honda_zivic** · 25-04-2011 05:47 PM

whats best way to remove the white rust shit that builds up on engine?
i hose that bitch with degreaser but doesn't do much.

was thinking oven cleaner?

**trism** · 25-04-2011 06:32 PM

rust isnt and will never be white.....

got pics?

where abouts is it?

what you need to do is just go an buy like 15 cans of the cheapest degreaser you can find. You can get stuff from Repco that goes by the brand motortech, comes in a red aerosol can, that shit is the best stuff ive ever used, and its like, 2.20 a can, sometimes they come on sale, 6 for 10 bucks.

Just spray it on and leave it for like, 15 mins, then hit it with a pressure hose.

Make sure you protect all important electrical stuff, wrap a plastic bag around the distributor, etc

**string** · 25-04-2011 06:46 PM

It's aluminium oxide. Just sand it off.

**TheSaint** · 25-04-2011 06:52 PM

+1 for motortech - that stuff is awsome

btw its not rust - its just oxidisation - light sand and heeps of degreeser will get rid of it

if its around alot of hose fittings you may have a coolant problem

**honda_zivic** · 25-04-2011 07:32 PM

yea sorry didnt know what this shit was called.anyways here are pics

**string** · 25-04-2011 09:33 PM

Rust probably isn't the right word as it generally applies to iron, but it's the exact same process --oxidation.

**mikey72** · 26-04-2011 06:37 AM

Give it a sand and with emery paper soaked in liquid degreaser.

I would also very much suggest painting the block to help stop this from happening again.

**honda_zivic** · 26-04-2011 01:48 PM

cool i give it a shot. thanks u people.

**type-Spaz** · 26-04-2011 01:56 PM

I use a wire brush and scotch brite pads. Works great

**Hasbeen** · 26-04-2011 02:18 PM

Applied Chemicals have an aluminum etch formulation, No666 from memory.
It will etch your alloy & leave it physically & chemically clean.

Just brush it on, leave for a few minutes, then hose off.
It will oxidize again within hours, & look similar to when you started in a few days, so good paint application very soon after it is dry is necessary.

It is the aluminun oxide on the surface of the alloy that prevents further corrosion of your alloy, so best not to touch, unless you plan to paint the thing.