Just tried 2 new cleaning products

rx1jim

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Feb 17, 2008
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Poughquag, NY
I am in the process of completely rebuilding a 2000 SRX. I bought a second 2000 SRX a couple of years ago (paid way to much for it, should have looked it over much more carefully but that is another story) and have just started to rebuild it. I have disassembled the sled down to the bare chassis. The bare aluminum at the fron to the chassis was heavily coated with grime, belt dust, brake dust, along with being heavily oxidized due to poor storage by the former owner. I used a few cycles of applying an engine degreaser followed by pressure washing to get the grease and grime off. I then used a product called Alumakleen from the Sledbrite company. I had to used a few cycles of applying the sled brite followed by rinsing with water. I wused a scotch brite pad on teh particularly stubborn areas while the Alumakleen was applied. The result is a bright shiny clean aluminum chassis.

The second product I tried is a belly pan cleaner from Sledbrite. I used this on the lower plastic body parts. It was definitely effective in removing the accumulated grime from the exhaust on the lower right body panel. I used a few cycles of applying the belly pan cleaner followed by pressure washing.

Overall, I am happy with the results of these products.
 
OK, OK, I get the message. Enlighten me on how to post pictures and I will. The Sledbrite Alumakleen really cleaned and brightened up the aluminum. It does not remove grease and oil so you have to be sure to get the aluminum clean of grease, oil and residues that would mask the aluminum.
 
rx1jim said:
OK, OK, I get the message. Enlighten me on how to post pictures and I will. The Sledbrite Alumakleen really cleaned and brightened up the aluminum. It does not remove grease and oil so you have to be sure to get the aluminum clean of grease, oil and residues that would mask the aluminum.

I too would like to know how to post pics,...could someone direct us to a post or instructions?
Thanks
 
Ok, first attempt at posting pictures......\

Sled112709003.jpg
 
OK, these two pictures are after degreasing the chassis then applying the Sledbrite Alumakleen product followed by a power washing:
Sled112709001.jpg

Sled112709003.jpg


These next pictures are after about 2 hours of using a metal polish and a small air-driven buffer:
Sled112709005.jpg

Sled112709006.jpg

Sled112709007.jpg
 
This project started out with buying an SRX taht was supposed to be in excellent condition. Needless to say when I got it home and had it side-by-side with my first 2000 SRX, it did not meausre up. I took off a few parts to clean them, then a few more, then a few more. Well, there is not much more I can possibly disassemble. Every part will be cleaned, grit blasted and powder coated. I spent all day just degreasing the parts, next step is to grit blast all the parts which will be powder coated. Once I get the chassis done, I'm going to go through the entire engine. The guy I bought this sled from said he had the engine rebuilt by a reputable engine builder. So far, it has been a big disappointment: a lot of missing fasteners, many fasteners were not event tight. It will be a long, expensive process but I'll have an SRX in top condition when it is done.
 
I'm going to have a local body shop mask off the front end now that it is clean and repaint the tunnel. I've gone this far, might as well get the basic chassis in the best shape I can. I ordered $700 in new OEM parts to rebuild the sled. I need to have the sled done by mid-January.
 
the alumakleen appears to do the same thing aluminum wheel cleaner does, which you can buy at any auto parts store, i get it in concentrated 5 gallon pails from my distributor, and you can mix it like 10 oz to like 32oz of water, but we go through 5 gallons a month
 
Very nice very nice ;)! I know all about this work and very clean I tell you :bump: for a great job......

The only thing I would have to add is. It is a 2000 model. Since you have it down to the frame You might as well set it up for the duel lights. Best of both worlds ;)!
 
rx1jim said:
The second product I tried is a belly pan cleaner from Sledbrite. I used this on the lower plastic body parts. It was definitely effective in removing the accumulated grime from the exhaust on the lower right body panel. I used a few cycles of applying the belly pan cleaner followed by pressure washing.


Really? Wow! Fist time I read someone being able to remove the exhaust stain on the body panel. I must fine some of this stuff here.
 
I was able to get most of the exhaust stain off of the the right side body panel with the Sledbrite cleaner. There is still some left on the very bottom and the lower edged of the vertical part of the panel. It is very difficult to remove. I also scrubbed the body panel with Comet powder cleaner and Oxyiclean powder cleaner. Still some residue but much cleaner now.

On my other 2000 SRX, I want to restore it to brand new condition. After 15000 miles of riding the exhaust stain is pretty bad. If they are still available, I'll replace the right side body panel with a new one and when I ride, I am going to apply some blue duct tape to protect the panle from the exhaust.
 


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