Cleaning Vortech/Spearco Intercooler?
#1
Registered User
Thread Starter
iTrader: (8)
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Charlottesville, Virginia
Posts: 5,753
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
4 Posts
Cleaning Vortech/Spearco Intercooler?
I am noticing that my cast aluminum IC is not quite as shiny as it used to be. I have tried in the past to cleanup cast aluminum heads and intakes and have never had much success. Does anyone have any proven methods of cleaning up my IC?
#5
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: clearh2o, FL
Posts: 660
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
i have heard of a radiator comb, but never actually seen one.....
im sure there's a rad. guard you could get (had one on my gsxr, and i could scrub it w/ a rag and keep it spotless, without damaging the fins)
im sure there's a rad. guard you could get (had one on my gsxr, and i could scrub it w/ a rag and keep it spotless, without damaging the fins)
#6
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Charleston, SC
Posts: 202
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
radiator comb will scrape stuff out w/o damaging anything, and straighten the fins in case they are bent, about 10 bucks or so. It comes in a circular looking tool w/ varying widths of combs on the outside of the circle so you can get the closest fit. As far as polishing, try Flitz, good stuff.
#7
Registered User
Thread Starter
iTrader: (8)
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Charlottesville, Virginia
Posts: 5,753
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
4 Posts
Thanks for the responses. I am really more concerned about the end tanks more that the actual fins themselves. As far as the bugs, a simply blast with the high pressure sprayer at the car wash seems to remove all of the bugs.
Trending Topics
#8
When I had my Mitsubishi Eclipse turbo, they told me it was ok to use the bug and tar remover aerosol sprays to clean the stock intercooler. I think is was made of cast aluminum, too. The pressure spraying action seemed to really clean the intercooler well and it gleemed and sparkled after cleaning. I used that for the 4 years I had the car with excellent results and no probs that I could tell. I always spray rinsed the intercooler with water after spraying it with the bug and tar remover. It would just depend on whether bug and tar remover would damage the metal of your intercooler. I'm not sure if the metal is the same in all of them or not. Be careful, I don't want to screw up your intercooler.
Last edited by More Power; 07-18-2004 at 01:29 PM.
#9
Sponsor
Forged Performance
Forged Performance
iTrader: (92)
The end tanks are probably pitted and scratched from road debris. Mine started out shiny, and now they have a sand blasted look to them. You might try a 1000 grit sandpaper and do a wet-sanding job on them. Then some Mother's polishing compound.
Once you get them shiny, you might want to try a "clear bra" type material on them to prevent them from scratching again.
Good luck...
Once you get them shiny, you might want to try a "clear bra" type material on them to prevent them from scratching again.
Good luck...
#10
Registered User
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Houston
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I suggest you go to an A/C supply store and get a coil cleaner. These come in a few varieties. Some foam up and push out contaminants, others are more acidic. You should use the non-acidic types most of the time, and the acidic types when you need a deep cleaning (about once a year)
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Colombo
Forced Induction
35
11-09-2020 10:27 AM