Cleaning Stainless ASAP!!!

[Maca]

Hi everyone,
Does anyone know of anything that is good at cleaning stainless. I need to clean the exhaust of my aeroplane for the Goodwood Revival Concours this weekend and everything looks great except that. The main problem is that it has a big oily radial engine and so the oil is baked on. I've tried using Meguiars Metal Polysh which has taken all but the worst of it, and 100 octane does do much either except smell nice I'm going to try brasso and Barman's Friend.

Thanks

 

[cobminor]

I don't know about st.st. but Solvol autosol used to clean up most stuff.

 

[Drains]

You could take a look here Maca. various scotchbrite pads. There may be some of use in there.

Hello Cob. Where you been?

Si

 

[Maca]

It is an abrasive or just a chemical? Cos this oil doesn't even come off when you try and scratch it off

 

[Maca]

going to try steel wool and a brillo pad tomorrow but I don't want to put to many marks into the surface.

 

[Drains]

It is an abrasive or just a chemical? Cos this oil doesn't even come off when you try and scratch it off

I don't know whether this would cause more harm than good, but have you considered caustic soda? (Should be fine on stainless... wouldn't go too near ally though)

 

[Maca]

I've got some stuff that looks a bit like it, do you think I could mix it with some 100 octane as that normally gets oil off when it is fresh?

 

[steve202]

I wonder if that stuff that is used to get rid of blueing on chrome exhausts would work? Seen some recently in the Frost catalogue.

 

[Hitch]

Not sure steel wool is a good idea to polish stainless with........

 

[Weldingartisan]

Simondrains is right, caustic soda (in warm water) for the burnt oil - the only problem will be application. It really needs to soak awhile.
If it's a bright polish don't use any abrasives apart from metal polish. If it's dull polish or 'grained' Garryson make compound abrasive rubbing blocks in different grades or Scotchbrite, make sure you follow the grain. No wire wool unless stainless. W/A

 

[Maca]

don't have time to order anything really, so I just tried some old 600 wet and dry. Worked quite well took some of the oil off and the yellowing. Tried some powder that's a bit like soda but that didn't do anything. Over all looks great but required loads of elbow grease, and in the end it is a vintage biplane that gets used and it will be dirty. I'll post a few pictures if anyone is interested including some of the welds (which are very neat).

 

[scarecrow]

Please do would love to see some pic of it have you tried engine cleaner I used it on some old tractors from time to time and it is pretty good stuff

 

[Maca]

Yeah doesn't do anything!

 

[irondarren]

North sure if you would be able to pick these up easy, but they do a version of the flap wire which is made from the nylon type scotch brite material. Thats good for cleaning up, alternatively a scotch brite and a good hand rubbing