Muffler
 

Anyone have any suggestions on how to clean the gunk off of a muffler?

RE: Muffler
 

If you don't mind the muffler obtaining a blackish tan, use a caustic soda solution (NaOH), and some heat. This will dissolve even carbon deposits. The black surface film can later be etched away with acid based metal cleaners. For mufflers this is ok.
Or:
you heat the muffler submerged in synthetic oil, or anti-freeze fluid (The "crock method"), and then brush with a brass wire brush and tooth paste. (steel and aluminum don't like each other)

RE: Muffler
 

Caustic soda and aluminum do not like each other either. The muffler will not be glossy smooth when you get the grease off. Slightly acidic rinses with like a PH of 5.5-6.5 leaves the aluminum more shiney.

Maybe the acid afterwards fixes it back up?

Caustic oven cleaners will turn your muffler a dull medium gray color in short order.

Enjoy,

Jim

RE: Muffler
 

I have tried it, and would not use it on crankcase parts because it might impair the fit of the cylinder. On mufflers however , the acid etch removes the ugly off-black, and restores the base aluminum coulor. The finished product has a very fine grained sandblasted-like appearance.

The crock method is the other remaining alternative, apart from mechanical cleaning.

A lifetime of model flight should make me able to dig up more solutions, but so far they stayed out of my field of vision.

RE: Muffler
 

I've been using a solution of dishwashing powder heated so it's not uncomfortable putting your hand in to get out the muffler. Better still is just warm enough so you can hold the muffler in the solution while scrubbing with a tooth brush. It's worked a treat so far. I use half a cup of powder to 3 cups of water.

RE: Muffler
 

Down Under I cannot contain myself any longer on this

Did you take the picture of the Emu?? or better yet is it yours? By the way the enya diesels I found on the modelflight site thanks to you
folks I forgot who posted it are great martin not available in USA martin

RE: Muffler
 

Down Under I cannot contain myself any longer on this

Did you take the picture of the Emu?? or better yet is it yours? By the way the enya diesels I found on the modelflight site thanks to you
folks I forgot who posted it are great martin, not available in USA

RE: Muffler
 

mine cleans great and real shiny just using steel wool and mothers aluminum polish. that is if you want it to look better than new!! alittle work but a lot less trouble:D

RE: Muffler
 

LOL...no, I found it on the net somewhere and loved it. That's the kind of look they give you if they think you've got some food for them though :D