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409 cleaner works on engine compartment aluminum.

2798 Views 20 Replies 17 Participants Last post by  PhotoRick
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I had briefly met Sherry Coggins (sp?) and her husband recently at the Bullitt Nationals in Myrtle Beach, SC. They had won the "Best Engine Compartment" award for 2001 Bullitts. The aluminum components in their 2001 Bullitt's engine compartment were ridiculously terrific...so I asked them what they used...409 and a stiff nylon brush! Anyway, I gave it a whirl and man does it work...the yellow tint on the aluminum brightened right up. In the pics below, I did not clean the alternator for comparison purposes. The Coggins recommended to clean while the aluminum is at room temperature. Good stuff, Coggins! Anyway, I thought I would pass this information along.

Update note: Purists be advised...I cleaned the alternator today [22AUG08] and the small green factory "x" that is marked on the top of the 2001 Bullitt alternator will be erased by the 409 cleaner. I guess you could clean around it but you could also make another green "x" via grease pencil or marker. Also, the factory sticker that is purple/white/black on the alternator held up quite well to the 409 cleaner and appears unaltered.

:)



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That's a good tip, I have noticed my intake and alternator not looking as "silver" as they should. I will give it at try....John R :cool:
comparison to the simple green cleaning? is this better/easier/more brightness compared to S.G.?

thanks for the pics there SBJ!!! :p :p looking sharp as usual!

shaun
Wow, that worked great. thanx for the tip!!!!!!!!! 409 has been my standby cleaner around the house for a long time, now it moves to my car!!!
Cleaning.........

I used a mix of cream of tarter and a bit of water........it works well without a lot of rubbing.
SniperStang said:
comparison to the simple green cleaning? is this better/easier/more brightness compared to S.G.?

thanks for the pics there SBJ!!! :p :p looking sharp as usual!

shaun
Thanks, Shaun. :)

Did I use SG to clean the aluminum? I know that I have used WD-40 to remove the white residue in the past (409 works regarding that as well) but I don't remember using SG in the engine compartment. When I had my 2003 CVPI I used SG to clean the rubber flooring...maybe that's what you're thinking of. :)
Well now I have to try that on 4175! I have tried EVERYTHING I could think of to get rid of the little white spots and clean up that intake! drives me crazy that 2180's looks so much better with 10 times the miles on it! I might (MIGHT) take before and after pictures. Thanks Collin, YOU Da MAN!!! Thanks Sherry and Gordon for telling the man your secret so he could BLAB it to the rest of us:lol:
ARMY TC said:
I used a mix of cream of tarter and a bit of water........it works well without a lot of rubbing.
I have heard of this method, never did try it, but I will.
Cool! Thanks for the tip!
ARMY TC said:
I used a mix of cream of tarter and a bit of water........it works well without a lot of rubbing.
i have never thought of trying that... always worked wonders on my fish sticks, but on the engine cleanup? hmmm... now THAT'S different! :p :p

shaun
PX said:
I had briefly met Sherry Coggins (sp?) and her husband recently at the Bullitt Nationals in Myrtle Beach, SC. They had won the "Best Engine Compartment" award for 2001 Bullitts. The aluminum components in their 2001 Bullitt's engine compartment were ridiculously terrific...so I asked them what they used...409 and a stiff nylon brush! Anyway, I gave it a whirl and man does it work...the yellow tint on the aluminum brightened right up. In the pics below, I did not clean the alternator for comparison purposes. The Coggins recommended to clean while the aluminum is at room temperature. Good stuff, Coggins! Anyway, I thought I would pass this information along.

:)



Looking Great there PX, PY, and also not to forget Collin :lol: :lol: :lol:


Terry
Thanks, Terry. :)

Note: Purists be advised...the small green factory "x" that is marked on the top of the 2001 Bullitt alternator will be erased by the 409 cleaner. I guess you could clean around it but you could also make another green "x" via grease pencil or marker. Also, the factory sticker that is purple/white/black on the alternator held up quite well to the 409 cleaner and appears unaltered.
PX said:
I had briefly met Sherry Coggins (sp?) and her husband recently at the Bullitt Nationals in Myrtle Beach, SC. They had won the "Best Engine Compartment" award for 2001 Bullitts. The aluminum components in their 2001 Bullitt's engine compartment were ridiculously terrific...so I asked them what they used...409 and a stiff nylon brush! Anyway, I gave it a whirl and man does it work...the yellow tint on the aluminum brightened right up. In the pics below, I did not clean the alternator for comparison purposes. The Coggins recommended to clean while the aluminum is at room temperature. Good stuff, Coggins! Anyway, I thought I would pass this information along.

Update note: Purists be advised...I cleaned the alternator today [22AUG08] and the small green factory "x" that is marked on the top of the 2001 Bullitt alternator will be erased by the 409 cleaner. I guess you could clean around it but you could also make another green "x" via grease pencil or marker. Also, the factory sticker that is purple/white/black on the alternator held up quite well to the 409 cleaner and appears unaltered.

:)



Uh, you missed a spot... :tongue:
See what happens when you attend a National ?

You come home with all this good info!

Thanks Colin, I'm on my way to Publix for a bottle of 409.
SniperStang said:
i have never thought of trying that... always worked wonders on my fish sticks, but on the engine cleanup? hmmm... now THAT'S different! :p :p

shaun
Are you trying to out do me in the dork department? :lol: Too funny. :lol::lol::lol::lol:
Note to PY:

:)

I opted against the 409. I use EagleOne Wheel and Tire Cleaner that is CLEARCOAT safe, and then a stiff bristle brush. In MOST cases, the EagleOne removes and cleans the dirt or grit in there. I live on the coast, so there's a higher salt content in the air, and aluminum tends oxidize easily here.

3 years now, tried and true, and there's no white spots, no goo, and the mark on the alternator is still there. :) If I hadn't been so concerned with the tranny being a PIA, I would have had more time to devote to the engine and made it as clean as it normally is.

Will try it in comparison to 409 though.
FDWheelMan said:
Note to PY:

:)

I opted against the 409. I use EagleOne Wheel and Tire Cleaner that is CLEARCOAT safe, and then a stiff bristle brush. In MOST cases, the EagleOne removes and cleans the dirt or grit in there. I live on the coast, so there's a higher salt content in the air, and aluminum tends oxidize easily here.

3 years now, tried and true, and there's no white spots, no goo, and the mark on the alternator is still there. :) If I hadn't been so concerned with the tranny being a PIA, I would have had more time to devote to the engine and made it as clean as it normally is.

Will try it in comparison to 409 though.
Sounds good, Jerry! :)

I'll give the EagleOne a whirl as well. :)

Also, it was cool to meet you and your wife at the Nationals. :cool:

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Hey, you can't just add a green x! That would be an aftermarket X! :lol:
How do you clean the parts? Do you just spray the stuff on and scub then leave it? Do you rinse the 409 off after you put it on and clean it? If you clean the parts with Eagle A2Z do you wash off the A2Z after you clean the part up?

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mach14604 said:
How do you clean the parts? Do you just spray the stuff on and scub then leave it? Do you rinse the 409 off after you put it on and clean it? If you clean the parts with Eagle A2Z do you wash off the A2Z after you clean the part up?

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I will spray a small amount directly on the aluminum (components) and sometimes shield the area with a paper towel to avoid splashing. I will also place paper towels under the area to catch drips. I scrub with a small nylon brush and blot the area dry with paper towels. Regarding the alternator, I will soak a paper towel with 409 and blot to apply then scrub with the nylon brush...avoiding getting 409 inside the alternator. Hope that helps. :)
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