Your fleet running reports

[Nathan]

Nice on Marv, nice to see people work on these rather than chuck them to Munich Legends et al

[integrale_evo]

What clamps did you use marv? Heard varying reports on a lot of the aftermarket options.

My e36 ones are fine but expect they’ll fall to bits at some point.

And yeah, they weren’t a great idea, a lot of people have found that the corrosion spreads and eats away the end of the stainless pipe too.

[Barry]

And to bring things back to earth, Civic MOT this week, failed on rear ARB bushes, track rod end bushes, number plate light.

Expected age related stuff on a 16yr old car to be fair. Rad has a weep too, he thinks, although temps are spot on. Got it booked into a local Honda tuner next week as he's got a 2nd hand ally rad, and he'll do a proper inspection on the suspension for me. Can see me getting a bit done on the car £££

[Marv]

What clamps did you use marv? Heard varying reports on a lot of the aftermarket options.

My e36 ones are fine but expect they’ll fall to bits at some point.

And yeah, they weren’t a great idea, a lot of people have found that the corrosion spreads and eats away the end of the stainless pipe too.

I did a bit of research too and like you say, there's mixed reports on alot of the aftermarket clamps.

I asked Redish what they recommend, in the end. They pointed me at the X8R clamps, which seem to clamp the pipes together correctly and seem really good quality:

https://x8r.co.uk/exhaust-flange-muffle ... bmw-e46-m3

[JonMad]

Sensor and brackets came off easily, but the ball joints were very much seized:



...

Brackets were de-rusted, new sensor and balljoints, along with stainless fixings. Silicone grease put in the ball joints to keep water out:

What did you use to de-rust those?

[duncs500]

Excellent work [mention]Marv[/mention].

[Rich B]

What clamps did you use marv? Heard varying reports on a lot of the aftermarket options.

My e36 ones are fine but expect they’ll fall to bits at some point.

And yeah, they weren’t a great idea, a lot of people have found that the corrosion spreads and eats away the end of the stainless pipe too.

I did a bit of research too and like you say, there's mixed reports on alot of the aftermarket clamps.

I asked Redish what they recommend, in the end. They pointed me at the X8R clamps, which seem to clamp the pipes together correctly and seem really good quality:

https://x8r.co.uk/exhaust-flange-muffle ... bmw-e46-m3

these were the ones I used (not my pics). A guy at ProTyre in Slough did me 4 for £10!



But then mine was a 140k mile £8k daily driver rather than a cherished classic CSL!

[Marv]

I use an ultra sonic cleaner, with a citric acid solution.





Strips off the rust quite nicely. I'd like to plate things really, but a layer of zinc primer and spray can paint lasts for years anyway!

If you don't have an ultrasonic cleaner, Bilt Hamber Deox-C does a similar job (albeit a bit slower)

https://www.bilthamber.com/corrosion-pr ... nts/deox-c

For larger stuff that I cant fit in the ultrasonic cleaner, I use a poly abrasive wheel like this:

https://www.toolstation.com/abracs-poly ... ush/p11419

[Marv]

these were the ones I used (not my pics). A guy at ProTyre in Slough did me 4 for £10!



But then mine was a 140k mile £8k daily driver rather than a cherished classic CSL!

They at least saw your E46 through until the end

[Swervin_Mervin]

<now idly browsing ultrasonic cleaners>

Nice work Dan and Marv. Nice to see others at work. After my extensive stone chip repair session earlier this year (whicih was a largely worthless exercise!) I've done bog all on cars for some time.

[Swervin_Mervin]

That is one rusty hammer!

[JonMad]

Hadn't heard of ultrasonic cleaners. Seems like you can buy various concentrates to use in them. You mention citric acid solution, Marv, do you use a particular one or literally lemon juice in water?

[Marv]

It's the crystallised citric acid:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CITRIC-ACID- ... SwgvNZ1lnC

A table spoons or two of that, in a few litres of water, in an ultrasonic cleaner strips away the rust, as per my earlier image.

Here's my ultrasonic cleaner - things de-rust much quicker if you can crank up the heat! (bought mine through Amazon though, but can't find the same model on there anymore)

https://www.onbuy.com/gb/3l-digital-ult ... lsrc=aw.ds

[Sundayjumper]

I keep meaning to try the electrolysis method of de-rusting but it’s a faff to set up. This looks way easier.

[Mito Man]

They’re great for cleaning random crap like carbs too.

I want a diy powder coating system, the guns aren’t too pricey and you’d make the cost back after a few uses. Only issue is the oven although a cheap domestic one will accommodate most parts.

[Nathan]

They’re great for cleaning random crap like carbs too.

I want a diy powder coating system, the guns aren’t too pricey and you’d make the cost back after a few uses. Only issue is the oven although a cheap domestic one will accommodate most parts.

I can't wait to hear how you've spent £14k on a spray booth so you saved £200 on refurbishing 4x wheels

[integrale_evo]

I keep meaning to try the electrolysis method of de-rusting but it’s a faff to set up. This looks way easier.

I did it a few years ago and it worked brilliantly, but the tub always seemed to be in the way.

I just used an old car battery charger and a bit of old stainless steel pipe.

You’re not supposed to use stainless because it gives off nasty gasses or something, but as mine was outside I didn’t care and it meant it didn’t erode away like a mild steel one does.

[integrale_evo]

The next chemical type thing I would like would be a zinc plating kit like the BOM guys use. Cleaning and de-rusting parts is pretty simple, but it would be nice to get bits back to the oe bright zinc or yellow passivated finish.

[speedingfine]

190 miles around Wales in the pissing rain today. More proof if proof be need be that the full hood is essential. It would be shit with a half hood. Everyone else is clearly DIW

[duncs500]

190 miles around Wales in the pissing rain today. More proof if proof be need be that the full hood is essential. It would be shit with a half hood. Everyone else is clearly DIW

Would've been fine in a half hood!