brake lines

[Chris H.]

I could find nothing in the archives on cleaning brake lines.

My lines in the engine compartment were covered with grease which pretty much saved them from rust. There is a little rust stain on the hidden, bottom side of the front line on the front crossmember.

What are these lines made of and is there any coating? From the web I see they are Tin Buddy. Are they tin lines with no coating? I have scrubbed with kerosine and they look good but is there a way to remove the rust stains? perhaps some wet or dry sandpaper?

Also the protector springs. What are they made of and is there any way to get them real clean like drop in Muratic acid?

I do plan on going to DOT 5 and really purge the system with Alcohol. I have rebuilt all the cylinders.

thanks

[Chuck S.]

Re: brake lines

Chris, it's TBW or Tinned Bundy Weld, a welded seam tubing coated with tin. You can remove the rust, but then you also remove what tin coating is left leaving you with a perennial rust problem. You could try clear coating afterward, and that will work for awhile.

Ultimately to make them look new, you will have to replace them. If you're going to silicone fluid, and you have significant rust, I would consider replacing them now and save the labor on the cleaning and refinishing. (Watch the size of your pile...you're pulling more and more stuff off! )

Muriatic acid is a bad idea around brake lines in my opinion...you would have to insure that you didn't get acid on the INSIDE of the lines.