I have a Raptor 30 with an Ace Upgrade muffler on an OS .32SX-H which I have been running Powermaster 15% through. (Only because I had some I needed to use up!) I am about to switch to Powermaster YS 20/20 and want to clean all of the burnt on castor stains from the muffler.

What is the best way to do this?

I tried some sort of kitchen cleaner last night and it didn't move any of the stains.

OK, first run a fuel that is all synthetic. The brown spots are from the castor oil, and if the fuel has any in it the brown spots will come back.

Now, the way I have removed it, before I started using Wildcat exclusively Was to use some rubbing compund to get the brown off, the I used some automativew wheel polish for aluminum wheels. American Racing makes a great product that will make your muffler look like a mirror. Its a purple colored liquid that you just rub on and polish it as far as you like, then buff out with a clean rag and whew does it shine.

The hardest part is getting that crappy castor oil burnt stuff off. It is hard as a brick, and most any other abrasive will scratch the muffler surface pretty good. I have heard of others baking it in an oven in a solution of some sort. I am sure someone else can answer that.

For now the rubbing compound will do the trick, it just take some work to get it all off. Remember, full synthetic, and it will never come back.

I know that, which is one of the reasons why I am switching to YS 20/20. All synthetic 20% oil with 20% nitro.

The 15% was about half a gallon that I needed to finish up. Looking back on it, maybe I should have just used it in my planes.

Thanks for the tip on the cleaner. Is this the correct name 'automativew wheel polish'?

No, I just cant type for sh!#. It is Automative Wheel Polish. Go to any good tire store that sells aftermarket rims and ask them for the American Racing Wheel Polish. Its made for aluminum wheels and works great on our mufflers. Mine shines like the dikens after I polished it, and it only took about 45 minutes.

OK. Makes more sense now! Thanks.

I use WC Helimix 15% and have brown spots. What gives ?

Maybe you should use a little bleach the next time you wash your skivvys. That should take care of the brown spots.

I dont have an answer for that one. I use the 30% and even though I do not wipe the muffler down I still do not get the brown spots on the muffler. Could it be from something else getting on the muffler and cooking? Can you take a picture of it?

Brian, your on a roll today man... I was looking forward to a little shot of WC later... oh well...

Muffler ? Who said anything about I muffler ? I was just reading a good book entitled "Brown Spots on the Ceiling" by Hu Flung Poo. Excellent reading if you get a chance

I'm pretty sure that they are from the exhaust but on the bright side, it comes off relatively easily.

No, I don't have a camera but am looking to purchase one for situations like this and many others. Please see "... Camcorder vs. Camera" post and help me out.

Hu Flung what?? That sounds like something my kids would do... as for the pictures, you really don't want to remember that Hu Dung Yuuu??

Fissy,

I dont mean to point out the obvious, but I replied to that the other day. Nice long post about my love for the camera that I currently use.

I am always here to help, and make...I mean help people see it my way.

Maverick,

Put Your muffler into a jar filled with PAINTSTRIPPER for a few hoursan he is like new,so easy.

Greetings from Antwerp Belgium

Sorry about that Brian. I meant it as a plug for everyone to give their opinions to my other post. I didn't think first. Oops.

Paul,
Easy ? I'd rather not have to re-seal my muffler gasket and I wonder if stripper would have an effect on the seal of the tap screw ?

Sounds like it migth get it real clean, but I would be worried about any other damage it might cause.

Antifreeze in a crock pot works great. Turn it on low and leave it over night. If it's real bad wipe it down in the morning and leave it all day it the pot again. Use the ethylene-glycol antifreeze, not the enviromentally friendly stuff.
Later,,,basmntdweller

Yep use the antifreeze. I do it outdoors because of fumes and use a old charcoal grill. It takes hours on just a slow heat. It will not harm the aluminum so you have no worries. I have used this many times.

Dustin

I've done the anti-freeze trick.... works awsome. I think the crock pot is the best thing to use... Go down to the salvation army or Good Will or some thrift store and buy one....or look at garage sales... I got one for $5. I'd just be leary about cooking in it after using it for this purpose....

Mav - Just get some metal polish like MAS or Semichrome which you can find in a local Hardware Store and polish off the few stains you currently have. When you switch to the YS 20/20 you will occasionally have the need to polish the muffler from time to time as small brown spots will still appear but not like they would with Castor in the fuel. There is no reason to take the muffler off the Heli to cook it in Anti-Freeze as your brown spots are minor in nature.

Mother chrome polish.
Clean it down what ever way you would like, but to finish it up.
Use mothers let me tell ya....

The brown spots are a little worse now than they ever were.....also I had the muffler off when I replaced the clutch so I was going to clean it then, but couldn't find anything at home that worked...now it is back on the heli ready for flying tomorrow so I will have to wait.

Thats what I do .

I must admit, antifreeze works awesome!!!!!
Anti freeze/crockpot/24hrs/lubricate and install engine! Looks new! I also have to admit though......even after making your engines sparkle..... it won't fix glow plugs!!!!


KEVIN