Cross-Fire air cleaner

[Perry M.]

Can someone tell me how to restore the finish on a 1984 cross-fire air cleaner? I searched the archives with no success. What material was it made of?

[Joe L.]

Re: Cross-Fire air cleaner

Can someone tell me how to restore the finish on a 1984 cross-fire air cleaner? I searched the archives with no success. What material was it made of?

Perry-----

The outer cover (probably the part you are most interested in restoring) was cast MAGNESIUM. I believe this was coated with a special coating that was the same as that used to coat the magnesium valve covers. A special paint in spray cans is available from C4 Corvette parts sources (Corvette Central, Mid America, Ecklers, etc.) for valve cover finish restoration. Presumably, it would work as well on the air cleaners. Just how well this paint works I do not know. However, I think it's "the only game in town".

[Walter G.]

Re: Cross-Fire air cleaner

I bought a rattle can from Eckler's years ago to touch up the valve covers on my '84 and it matched great. It would appear the magnesium air cleaner cover would be the same color. So far I have not had to do mine.

[Perry M.]

Re: Cross-Fire air cleaner

Thanks Joe, Walter. I will check with the venders for that paint. My car only has 6,000 miles on it but the cleaner is showing signs of a white powder forming on the edges even though the car is/was always stored in a dry, warm garage.

[Joe L.]

Re: Cross-Fire air cleaner

Thanks Joe, Walter. I will check with the venders for that paint. My car only has 6,000 miles on it but the cleaner is showing signs of a white powder forming on the edges even though the car is/was always stored in a dry, warm garage.

Perry-----

Magnesium is a highly reactive metal. Most likely, the white powder is magnesium oxide.

[Perry M.]

Re: Cross-Fire air cleaner

I would like to provide an update on the paint required to restore the air cleaner on my '84 Corvette. I searched the web for several venders that list the paint and settled on Corvette Central. They all list the paint, however it was described as being correct for 84 to 91. I know that the 84 is a different color but I ordered it anyway. It arrived and the can was labeled valve cover paint (NICKEL) for 84 to 91 Corvettes. I sprayed a small amount and I would describe it as SILVER. Shipping was slightly more than the product so I probably won't be returning it. I could not reach Ecklers as suggested because it seems there web site has been shut down. Any other suggestions?

[Walter G.]

Re: Cross-Fire air cleaner

If what you received is more of a 'silver' paint I agree that is not correct. Sounds more like something used on the EFI that replaced the X-fire lid. The X-fire cover I would describe more as gray rather than silver. I did some touchup on my valve covers using the paint from Eckler's many years ago but never touched the air cleaner cover. My cover has some white showing near the X-fire lettering, and the comment that it's magnesium oxide is probably correct. Not sure how to clean it off without messing things up, so I've chosen to leave it for now.

[Perry M.]

Re: Cross-Fire air cleaner

That is the area on my air cleaner that has the white powder as well. It isn't terrible. I have seen some that are covered in the white magnesium oxide powder. I may have to take it to my local automotive paint supplier and see if they can match it.

[Walter G.]

Re: Cross-Fire air cleaner

That sounds like a good Winter project for me as well. My '84 and '14 will be stored on 11/1 in my heated garage so I have access to working on it.

[John D.]

Re: Cross-Fire air cleaner

Perry, Do not use any Vinegar on that magnesium air cleaner. Lethal green smoke is the results.

Story: Many years ago genius here decided on cleaning magnesium discs used on the main diaphragm of '57 to '65 fuel injections.
Used vinegar. In a second holes appeared in the disc and this powerful stinky green smoke went up in the air big time. John D.

[Loren L.]

Re: Cross-Fire air cleaner

I would be willing to wager that your "return shipping" costs would be less than what you were charged. Just a pet peeve of mine - stemming from 2 valve cover decals being shipped in a 6" x 10" box.

I would like to provide an update on the paint required to restore the air cleaner on my '84 Corvette. I searched the web for several venders that list the paint and settled on Corvette Central. They all list the paint, however it was described as being correct for 84 to 91. I know that the 84 is a different color but I ordered it anyway. It arrived and the can was labeled valve cover paint (NICKEL) for 84 to 91 Corvettes. I sprayed a small amount and I would describe it as SILVER. Shipping was slightly more than the product so I probably won't be returning it. I could not reach Ecklers as suggested because it seems there web site has been shut down. Any other suggestions?