Engine pad preservation

[Thomas H.]

I was just looking around my engine compartment today and noticed that my number pad has developed a pretty good case of surface rust. What is the best way to clean the surface rust from the pad and what should I put on it to protect it?

Thanks,
Tom

[Patrick H.]

Re: Engine pad preservation

I just use some PreLube 6 on mine.
It works great to protect it, and usually will wipe off the minor surface rust that accumulates on pads.

Patrick

[Jack H.]

Re: Engine pad preservation

Try some Naval Gel and a toothbrush. Do NOT use an abrasive tool as there's a good possibility you'll 'distrub' the factory original broach marks by 'sawing' back and forth as you attempt to clean the rust!

[Thomas H.]

Re: Engine pad preservation

Thanks Pat, Jack.

When I rebuilt the engine, the pad was clean and the broach marks crisp. I had been putting some WD40 on it, but I suppose it wore off and I didn't keep up with it so I now have a good case of surface rust.

I will go with the naval jelly (toothbrush?) and follow up with the prelube 6 and see how we fair this winter. My garage goes through some cold/damp cycles in the fall/spring that contribute to the moisture build up on everything.

Thanks,
Tom

[Jay G.]

Re: Engine pad preservation

When pad is clean. Take sm amt of oil 10/30 etc and apply to finish pad. Sould keep it from further rust accumlation.

[John D.]

Re: Engine pad preservation

I use a healthy coating of wheel bearing grease on it........

[Paul J.]

Re: Engine pad preservation

Tom:

All of the previous suggestions work quite well, as I can say from experience, but all of them require periodic re-coating. The best low maintenance solution is a light coat of high temp paint. You can get this in a medium gloss clear, if you wish.

Paul

[Ian G.]

Re: Engine pad preservation

That would be a good permanent solution; problem is you'd have to remove the paint with laquer thinner for judging, and aren't C2's supposed to have paint in the recesses of the numbers? I know C1s should have no paint on the pad at all...

[Joel T.]

Re: Engine pad preservation

Hi Guys;

Good topic and a good thread to which I am going to add a dumb question.... For judging purposes, is it not a good idea to have some surface rust/dirt/grease on the pad? The reason I ask is that the pad on my car has been kept clean but at a recent judging event I got whacked like 65 points on "originality"... the judge said the pad was "too shiny"...

Joel

[Ray C.]

Re: Engine pad preservation

A old-timer (and I am 59) told me that every time you check the oil, wipe the oil from the rag/papper towel on to the pad. You shoud never have a rust problem.

Ray

[John H.]

Re: Engine pad preservation

Hi Guys;

Good topic and a good thread to which I am going to add a dumb question.... For judging purposes, is it not a good idea to have some surface rust/dirt/grease on the pad? The reason I ask is that the pad on my car has been kept clean but at a recent judging event I got whacked like 65 points on "originality"... the judge said the pad was "too shiny"...

Joel

Strange deduction - each of the stamps is 25 points and the surface is 38, and it's supposed to look like it did when it was new.....

[Thomas H.]

Re: Engine pad preservation

Tom:

All of the previous suggestions work quite well, as I can say from experience, but all of them require periodic re-coating. The best low maintenance solution is a light coat of high temp paint. You can get this in a medium gloss clear, if you wish.

Paul

Hmmmmmmmm, I like this idea. I don't forsee having the car judged anytime soon.

I wrestle with getting it judged. I know the paint is not in the best of shape and there are a few minor things that need attention before going through judging. I'd like to do it to get a basline of what I actually have though.

The way I'm thinking at the moment is that once it is judged, I'll have a list of "to do's" that would gnaw at me until I do them. As it stands right now, the only list I have for the car is:

Remove cover,
Get in,
Start,
Drive,
Return home
Shut off
Re-cover (after a cool down)

Pretty simple.................. for now

Thanks,
Tom

[Gerard Q.]

Re: Engine pad preservation

I just use some PreLube 6 on mine.
It works great to protect it, and usually will wipe off the minor surface rust that accumulates on pads.

Patrick

I'm also a fan of Prelube 6

http://www.purelube.com/products/wire_rope_lubricants/prelube6.htm

[R N.]

Re: Engine pad preservation

For protecting I use Boeshield T9 Aerosol.