Cleaning/Renewing Heater and Fresh Air Tubes

[HealeyRick]

While extinguishing the engine fire in my Nasty Boy, the heater and fresh air tubes got coated in yellow extinguisher powder. I've brushed as much off as possible, but some still remains.

Is there a way to further clean them, dish soap and water perhaps? Something else?

What do the concours folks use to make them all pretty again?

Thanks.

 

[roscoe]

Isopropyl alcohol and warm water would likley remove the residue. Who knows what's best for spiffing them up? Perhaps Armorall. Thats why I have a halon fire extinguisher in my BN2, leaves no residue.
That being said, what? No details on the engine fire? Details please.

 

[HealeyRick]

Yes, Halon extinguisher next time around. Fire started from leak in carb where I replaced a filter and probably didn't get it tight enough. Wiring damaged (needed new harness) bonnet needed repainting, engine and transmission out for cleaning, some paint work in engine compartment, carpeting and insulation burnt requiring new carpet set, msd box burnt, GPS speedo box burnt, etc., etc. Just about ready to put the engine and transmission back in.

 

[roscoe]

Thanks. Pictures like that are pokes tonall of us to be careful and consider " what's the worst that could happen". Glad you have something to salvage.

 

[HealeyRick]

Luckily, I spotted the fire quickly through the louvers and had a fire extinguisher on the tunnel. I was able to shoot the extinguisher through the louvers to knock the flames down before opening the bonnet. Fire damage was confined to the bonnet, none to the shroud. The biggest PITA was I just couldn't find someone to do the repair so I'm having to do it myself. A Halotron extinguisher will be on the purchase list before I drive.

 

[John Turney]

IIRC, the tubes look kind of like a black paper material. You can try dish soap and water, but I'm not sure anything stronger wouldn't cause damage.

 

[Jerry]

I was told to use brake fluid on rubber parts to make them look like new. I tried it on an old grommet and it does soften and make them black again. I worry about the paint though.

 

[Bob_Spidell]

From my exhaustive research:

"A dry chemical extinguisher sprays a very fine powder of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3, baking soda), potassium bicarbonate (KHCO3, nearly identical to baking soda), or monoammonium phosphate ((NH4)H2PO4)."

How do dry chemical fire extinguishers work?

How do multi-class dry chemical fire extinguishers work? What is the dry chemical?

home.howstuffworks.com

AFAIK, all these chemicals, with the possible exception of monoammonium phosphate, are water soluble. I'd try plain water first, then more exotic stuff if it doesn't do the job.

 

[HealeyRick]

The dish soap and warm water with a detail brush, lightly rinsed off with cool water worked fine. Just don't soak the outside cardboard.