Cleaning and polishing a billet serpintine system

J

jrragsda

New member
I searched around for a while, but couldn't find anything other than the usual billet aluminum polish debates. I have a 65 mustang with a Billet Specialties Tru Trac serpentine system on it. The main bracket/frame that supports all the engine accessories as well as most of the accessories and pullies are all polished billet. A while back, the motor decided that it didn't like its current head and radiator setup and proceeded to puke hot coolant all over everything while someone else was driving the car. It covered everything under the hood with a film of cooked on coolant and water spots. I've cleaned most of it up, but the serpentine system is proving difficult. Mothers billet polish and elbow grease get the parts that I can reach pretty well, but it is cluttered in there with ac, powers steering, alternator, and idlers, all of which are billet, and everything else in the way, there are too many areas I can see but not reach. Is there a magic chemical that will save me from disassembling the entire system to get to every nook and cranny? Anyone who has worked on a early mustang with lots of mods can tell you that there isn't much space in the engine bay. Getting the system out of the car means pulling the radiator and everything too, so I'm trying to avoid it, but I want it cleaned up pretty bad, so I will if I absolutely have to.
 
There is nothing that you can spray on and rinse that polishes and removes water spots, but you can try to use a polishing ball, like Mothers PowerBall Mini Polishing Tool, that hooks up to a drill. That would be a lot easier, but you would still have to wipe off the residue. The best way to get everything clean and perfect, is to take everything apart so you can get every area polished.
 
I have a powerball. Everything in there is too tight spaced to really use it. It also leaves residue smudges on everything rubber or painted. Its either by hand carefully, or make a mess...
 
Sound likes you are going to need to take them off. I use buff etc and various compounds for heavy stuff and mothers for the light work.
 
jrragsda- Welcome to Autopia!

Sorry to hear about the mess...I know you don't want to hear this, but I *really* think you simply do have to remove the compenents involved and clean them up. I'd have them coated/anodized/something prior to reassembly as bare aluminum stuff under the hood is IMO a(nother) headache waiting to happen.
 
You can try using Flitz Aluminum Pre-Clean to spray and rinse or wipe the surface with a microfiber towel if you can reach the spot, but if you really want a show car finish (and if I had a Billet Specialties Tru Trac serpentine system - I would) then I would just go ahead and take everything apart. It'll be a lot of work, but you'll get the best results that way.
 
Vega@Autopia said:
You can try using Flitz Aluminum Pre-Clean to spray and rinse or wipe the surface with a microfiber towel if you can reach the spot, but if you really want a show car finish (and if I had a Billet Specialties Tru Trac serpentine system - I would) then I would just go ahead and take everything apart. It'll be a lot of work, but you'll get the best results that way.
Click to expand...
What about Sonus Aluminum Restore? Isn't it a spray, rinse, and wipe type product?
 
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