Author Topic: Suggestions to remove heater box stains  (Read 1325 times)

Offline CT428CJ

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Suggestions to remove heater box stains
« on: December 27, 2019, 01:20:42 PM »
I am restoring a 1968 heater box. The case half that will be visible from the passenger compartment has the original date code on it but is also stained.

The stains can bee seen in the picture just to the left of the manual door.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to either remove the stains or finish the rest of the case so that they will not be so visible?


Offline Bossbill

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Re: Suggestions to remove heater box stains
« Reply #1 on: December 27, 2019, 02:53:52 PM »
Are you referring to the area on the left of the second pic that appears shinier or duller than the rest?
I did some repairs on mine and then shot the case with a very low gloss clear.
You can either experiment with other damaged cases or the rear of yours.
Bill
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Offline Coralsnake

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Re: Suggestions to remove heater box stains
« Reply #2 on: December 27, 2019, 05:21:10 PM »
I have tried a number of techniques, but I think Bill is right on. A very light glass bead to get a uniform finish followed by a clear coat will bring the correct finish back.

Offline jwc66k

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Re: Suggestions to remove heater box stains
« Reply #3 on: December 27, 2019, 07:20:34 PM »
Lots of masking, lots.
Jim
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Offline Bossbill

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Re: Suggestions to remove heater box stains
« Reply #4 on: December 27, 2019, 08:01:17 PM »
Be sure when you glass bead stuff like this you don't use HF glass "bead", since I'm fairly certain that's just chopped up glass. That stuff has really good action (80 grit?), which you don't want.
I use Ballotini medium to fine glass beads which are actually beads or round balls. When used with delicate stuff I'm in the 20-25 psi area. I hear other have success with walnut shells.
Bill
Concours  Actual Ford Build 3/2/67 GT350 01375
Driven      6/6/70 0T02G160xxx Boss 302
Modified   5/18/65 5F09A728xxx Boss 347 Terminator-X 8-Stack
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Offline CT428CJ

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Re: Suggestions to remove heater box stains
« Reply #5 on: December 27, 2019, 09:03:54 PM »
Quote
Are you referring to the area on the left of the second pic that appears shinier or duller than the rest?

Correct.

Quote
Be sure when you glass bead stuff like this you don't use HF glass "bead", since I'm fairly certain that's just chopped up glass. That stuff has really good action (80 grit?), which you don't want.

Right, got it, thanks.

Any suggestions for the clear?

Not sure what the stains are from. It's too bad since the rest of the box is really nice. Mint sheet metal and the original core.

Any other ideas before I resort to bead blasting?
« Last Edit: December 27, 2019, 09:08:43 PM by CT428CJ »

Offline Bossbill

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Re: Suggestions to remove heater box stains
« Reply #6 on: December 27, 2019, 10:24:19 PM »
Clean it and try Rustoleum clear matte or flat before doing anything else to see if you can get the gloss level to be uniform.
Rustoleum makes 3 clears: Dead Flat, Matte and Satin. All of them have uses on a restoration.
If you have spray equipment then a 2k clear with flattening agents.

Here is mine with a matte clear:
Bill
Concours  Actual Ford Build 3/2/67 GT350 01375
Driven      6/6/70 0T02G160xxx Boss 302
Modified   5/18/65 5F09A728xxx Boss 347 Terminator-X 8-Stack
Race        65 2+2 Coupe conversion

Offline CharlesTurner

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Re: Suggestions to remove heater box stains
« Reply #7 on: December 28, 2019, 12:26:09 AM »
I recently tried soaking heater case halves in evapo-rust, had great results.

Example below.  Has not been clear-coated, only some mother's mag polish used after soaking.  For an Oct. '64 San Jose car... so be careful if using as a reference for other plants as some details may be different.
« Last Edit: December 28, 2019, 12:32:42 AM by CharlesTurner »
Charles Turner - MCA/SAAC Judge
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Offline CT428CJ

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Re: Suggestions to remove heater box stains
« Reply #8 on: December 28, 2019, 12:28:26 PM »
Interesting, thanks!

I have some stuff soaking in EvapoRust right now. I'll try a spot treatment to see what happens.

Offline CT428CJ

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Re: Suggestions to remove heater box stains
« Reply #9 on: January 09, 2020, 07:33:20 PM »
I decided to try a few other types of cleaners before resorting to bead blasting.

Several rounds of Permatex plastic cleaner followed by rinse with lacquer thinner and sponge off did the trick.

Offline Countrysquire

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Re: Suggestions to remove heater box stains
« Reply #10 on: January 10, 2020, 02:11:20 PM »
That came out very nice.  Even though I have a vapor blasting business, I always recommend that you try other, more gentle methods with parts like this before subjecting them to blasting.
Bobby Crumpley
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www.houstonvaporblasting.com/

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Offline CT428CJ

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Re: Suggestions to remove heater box stains
« Reply #11 on: January 16, 2020, 08:14:22 PM »
I found something that  works even better: https://goofoffproducts.com/product/pro-strength-remover-6-oz

I had another spot on the side of the box and had just bought a can of the pro-strength goof-off to remove some latex paint from wood trim.

I decided to give it a try and discovered that it took the stain out completely after 3 easy applications.

Offline jwc66k

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Re: Suggestions to remove heater box stains
« Reply #12 on: January 17, 2020, 12:48:49 AM »
A word of warning about "Goof-Off". It is a paint remover. If left too long on a painted sueface, like a minute, it will remove the paint. Don't spill any, splash any or leave a Goof-Off soaked damp cloth on a painted surface. Careful usage in the kitchen can remove really stuck on food stains and dirty finger prints. Goof-Off may contain acetone, which also works well. Another good product is Krud-Kutter available at Home depot. The odor of Simple Green Makes me sick, so I don't use it, others do.
Jim
I promise to be politically correct in all my posts to keep the BBBB from vociferating.

Offline CT428CJ

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Re: Suggestions to remove heater box stains
« Reply #13 on: January 18, 2020, 05:03:48 PM »
And be careful with soaking the fiberglass case in EvapoRust.

It will result in discoloration (lighter shade) of the case.