Preventing engine oxidation

Joshbot007 · 03-25-2020, 08:37 AM

So my engine has some pretty bad looking aluminum oxidation but the good news is that it comes off super easy, like almost too easy with just a rub of the finger. Thats fine but what can I spray or put on the engine and the aluminum parts to prevent this from happening again?

Joshbot007 · 03-31-2020, 09:42 AM

Anyone? What about using a spray quick wax? I got them looking really nice and I wanna keep them that way. See below for before and after

Helmsman · 04-01-2020, 08:43 AM

Wow, that looks fantastic! Made me want to polish mine a tad...

Mine are not bad, I've been using simple stuff like Aerospace 303 and meguiars engine dressing which actually seems to help quite a bit to "seal" the alu from oxidation.

SoCalRPM · 04-01-2020, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joshbot007

Anyone? What about using a spray quick wax? I got them looking really nice and I wanna keep them that way. See below for before and after

Have you ever cleaned your engine bay prior to this? I mean spray down with a hose and APC etc?

Joshbot007 · 04-01-2020, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCalRPM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joshbot007

Anyone? What about using a spray quick wax? I got them looking really nice and I wanna keep them that way. See below for before and after

Have you ever cleaned your engine bay prior to this? I mean spray down with a hose and APC etc?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Helmsman

Wow, that looks fantastic! Made me want to polish mine a tad...

Mine are not bad, I've been using simple stuff like Aerospace 303 and meguiars engine dressing which actually seems to help quite a bit to "seal" the alu from oxidation.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCalRPM

I didn't even polish them yet tbh! That was all just done with a wire brush!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joshbot007

Anyone? What about using a spray quick wax? I got them looking really nice and I wanna keep them that way. See below for before and after

Have you ever cleaned your engine bay prior to this? I mean spray down with a hose and APC etc?

No but I will be shortly. I have everything including a mild degreaser on the way but it is being held up in the mail due to the current outbreak

mapster37 · 04-01-2020, 07:00 PM

probably want to seal it with a clear coat after you are done polishing them. i love the black valve covers. are they powder coated?

SAMM3Y · 04-01-2020, 07:29 PM

Boeshield T-9 is good. https://boeshield.com

Joshbot007 · 04-01-2020, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mapster37

probably want to seal it with a clear coat after you are done polishing them. i love the black valve covers. are they powder coated?

Yes, they were powdered wrinkle black by a local race shop. I am not sure if I wanna polish yet as everything you see there was done by hand with a wire brush, gives it a nice brush look up close

Space Fox · 04-08-2020, 11:55 AM

What did you use to remove the oxidation? I'm having similar issues, yours came out great.

Joshbot007 · 04-08-2020, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brantp

What did you use to remove the oxidation? I'm having similar issues, yours came out great.

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Just rubbing with my finger and a wire brush. Be careful with the wire brush so you don't scratch up the valve cover. A little masking tape will protect anything you don't wish to brush 👍

GORDON.M3 · 04-09-2020, 01:37 AM

Instead of using a wire brush try steel wool. You can easily do a light scrub with some polish in the area and it will keep it just as shiney.

Joshbot007 · 04-09-2020, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GORDON.M3

Instead of using a wire brush try steel wool. You can easily do a light scrub with some polish in the area and it will keep it just as shiney.

Great Idea! Will likely be much easier to get into the tough to reach spots too!

Space Fox · 04-09-2020, 07:33 AM

Had a go at this last night with just a shop rag and some WD-40. Came right off. Will probably do another pass then try the steel wool/polish method. Making me want to take everything apart and hit all the aluminum I can get my hands on..

Joshbot007 · 04-09-2020, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brantp

Had a go at this last night with just a shop rag and some WD-40. Came right off. Will probably do another pass then try the steel wool/polish method. Making me want to take everything apart and hit all the aluminum I can get my hands on..

Same here. When I put an under drive pulley on my car or supercharger(if I can ever find a used MS pulley lol) I will be taking almost everything off and cleaning + conditioning whatever I can get to. I like the steel wool idea as it's hard and to use a brush around the top of the engine around the stacks and down on the alternator.

03-25-2020, 08:37 AM	#1
Joshbot007 Second Lieutenant 55 Rep 236 Posts Drives: 2013 Frozen Blue M3 Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Hershey PA iTrader: (0)	Preventing engine oxidation So my engine has some pretty bad looking aluminum oxidation but the good news is that it comes off super easy, like almost too easy with just a rub of the finger. Thats fine but what can I spray or put on the engine and the aluminum parts to prevent this from happening again? Attached Images
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03-31-2020, 09:42 AM	#2
Joshbot007 Second Lieutenant 55 Rep 236 Posts Drives: 2013 Frozen Blue M3 Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Hershey PA iTrader: (0)	Anyone? What about using a spray quick wax? I got them looking really nice and I wanna keep them that way. See below for before and after Attached Images
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04-01-2020, 08:43 AM	#3
Helmsman Major General 4465 Rep 7,108 Posts Drives: 2011 AW E90 M3 ZCP Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Stockholm, Sweden iTrader: (0)	Wow, that looks fantastic! Made me want to polish mine a tad... Mine are not bad, I've been using simple stuff like Aerospace 303 and meguiars engine dressing which actually seems to help quite a bit to "seal" the alu from oxidation.
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04-01-2020, 07:00 PM	#6
mapster37 Captain 362 Rep 923 Posts Drives: F80 Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Davie iTrader: (2)	probably want to seal it with a clear coat after you are done polishing them. i love the black valve covers. are they powder coated?
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04-01-2020, 07:29 PM	#7
SAMM3Y Colonel 3085 Rep 2,747 Posts Drives: 2008 m3 Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: NorCal iTrader: (2)	Boeshield T-9 is good. https://boeshield.com __________________ 9ers
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04-08-2020, 11:55 AM	#9
Space Fox Captain 1042 Rep 634 Posts Drives: 2012 Space Grey e92 M3 ZCP Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Tampa, FL iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW M3 ZCP [0.00]	What did you use to remove the oxidation? I'm having similar issues, yours came out great.
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04-09-2020, 01:37 AM	#11
GORDON.M3 Brigadier General 1421 Rep 3,001 Posts Drives: E92 M3 • F25 X3 M-Sport Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: LAX/YYZ/NRT iTrader: (11)	Instead of using a wire brush try steel wool. You can easily do a light scrub with some polish in the area and it will keep it just as shiney. __________________ INSTAGRAM: GORDON.M3 North American Mr12Volt Carplay/Android Auto Distributor DINAN \| EVOSPORT \| VAC \| ARP \| RD SPORT \| NEEZ \| EIBACH \| CSF \| IND \| BILSTEIN \| KLASSEN \| BREMBO \| ENDLESS \| BBS \| BPM SPORT \| PROJECT MU \| EVENTURI
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04-09-2020, 07:33 AM	#13
Space Fox Captain 1042 Rep 634 Posts Drives: 2012 Space Grey e92 M3 ZCP Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Tampa, FL iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW M3 ZCP [0.00]	Had a go at this last night with just a shop rag and some WD-40. Came right off. Will probably do another pass then try the steel wool/polish method. Making me want to take everything apart and hit all the aluminum I can get my hands on..
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