On previous thread (that I can’t find) someone mentioned that they had a technique for making grubby old header/expansion tanks ‘look like new again’. They had used some household item - can anyone remember what it was or offer other advice?

soda crystals or something. i remember bob telling me how it was done once..

Ned.

Bucket of water and washing machine powder worked fine for me.
Left it in there a couple of days and stirred the mix every so often to keep the soap 'fresh'.

James

I did he same as James, came up looking better than new

Jason

I have used either washing powder or bleach, and the magic ingredient........................................some fine gravel. 1/2 fill the tank with washing powder/bleach and water solution with the outlets bunged, add a handful of gravel, put the top on and shake vigorously for a few mins, job done!

will it work to shift this rusty cr*p in mine?
at the minute it's spoiling my engine bay

cheers
tom

here's the pic - ooooops, sort of forgot it last post.
Rescued attachment tank.jpg

Mine was worse than that before i started, it looks brill white now with just the washing powder trick !!

Jason

Used washing powder ,bleach,kitchen cleaner, none of them worked just by pouring in and shaking,.
So I inserted something like a teatowel and prodded it around with a stick and then pulled it out , that shifted the more stubborn bits of clagg................

Hi All
I too used washing powder in mine, plus a very useful item of kitchen equipment - yes, the humble washing machine. Worked a treat on both the exp tank and washer bottle. Hot wash.
Pete(Oldgit)

Callipers in the sink i got away with................................



but an expansion tank in the washing machine!

not on you life

cleaned up a bike wiring loom nicely in the dishwasher with the normal powder anda little bleach.

trick is to do it after shes gone to bed or during a tv prog she likes.



atb

steve

Tried the washing powder, but didnt seem to work, left it in there a day and it hadnt changed at all so took it out. Not sure if it wasnt strong enough? Might try the gravel method.

Mine came up alright with the washing powder but it has a be a biological one,none of that save the world non bio crap if you have kids you'll understand that.

Also it has been said that the dishwasher will do the trick

Used dishwasher powder on my screen wash bottle that was in a bit of a state, now pretty clean, suspect a go in the dishwasher would have been better but bottled out when the missus mentioned castration. Rusty

I should have mentioned that use of the dishwasher for cleaning car parts is completely at your own risk,best done when the mrs has gone shopping

I'd imagine turning it on a 2nd time (without tools/looms/washer bottles etc.) to give it a clean might be a good idea! Might stop your forks tasting of 10w-40 too!

Cheers,

James

mine went in the dishwasher along with my rocker covers. When the wife was out of course, then used a dishwasher cleaner to get rid of the smell, the wife was none the wiser

For bottles with rust on the inside, might want to try filling with vinegar and letting sit for about an hour.

In the states, there's some stuff called 'CLR' for removing rust and lime deposits from plumbing, rust from driveways, etc. Wonder if there might be something similar at the hardware store.

For exterior gook, there's nothing like a dishwasher. Cool idea to run the wiring harness though.

Pete

Anybody tried this Cillit Bang stuff they advertise on telly. It looks like it might be just what we all need.

i'd be skeptical of that stuff, that guy just sounds too entusiastic

i like the way they prove how good it is by dropping a lump of highly reactive metal into the stuff and oooh watch it fizz away in 15 seconds. Come on have they never done gcse chemistry?

or am i just too cynical for my years
tom

so will it come any cleaner than this? (compared to pic on page 1 of this thread)

this is using horticultaral grit and non bio, daz citrus fresh works better than persil. will try vinegar now, and dishwasher, when we have a bit more powder. would'nt want to use the last bit now would i

tom
Rescued attachment header-tank.jpg

Not sure about expansion tanks etc, but works wonders on water mark, stainless steel taps etc.
Yes I know sad bod who's married and still has to do the cleaning.

PS The missus thought the advert was a joke!!!!

I wonder if one could create a 'rumbler' effect by putting the stones and water) in then sealing the holes. Then put it on top of you washing machine while it on spin cycle.

The vibration effects would be a lot less tiring than shaking it and it'd be free to use too!

HTH,

James

interesting debate on CBang
http://www.petercooper.co.uk/archives/000416.html

http://www.cillitbang.co.uk





[Edited on 29/10/04 by Terrapin_racing]

[Edited on 29/10/04 by Terrapin_racing]

[Edited on 29/10/04 by Terrapin_racing]

Great advice worked an absolute treat.

Used non-bio wash powder, few small bits of gravel inside the tank and left for a week in a bucket. Gave the tank a shake and a turn around. Finished of with a rag on the end of a screwdriver to remove the final residue.

No domestic appliances needed - so no gauntlet running on this occasion.

Cheers for the advice chaps.
Andy