The Ford Barn

wrndln · 05-26-2013, 08:37 PM

I have a nice original inside fuel line that needs a good cleaning. I believe fuel lines have a tern like finish on them. I am wondering how best to clean off the many years of crud on it. Would beadblasting be OK or maybe a more gentle method. It seems like a wire wheel would be too harsh. I don't want to mess up the finish on the brass ends or the line itself. Any advise would be appreciated form someone that has successfully clean one up before.
Rusty Nelson

robert shreveport · 05-26-2013, 09:19 PM

What would avoid paint thinner do?

robert shreveport · 05-26-2013, 09:20 PM

A good paint thinner was what I meant.

Fred · 05-26-2013, 09:31 PM

Put it in a bucket of Carb.cleaner for two three days.. Then wash lightly with a brillo pad...

Tom Wesenberg · 05-26-2013, 09:53 PM

I used fine steel wool and gas to clean the line, and a small brass brush to clean the fittings. I wouldn't sandblast them, unless you plan to tin the whole line.

Rock Hornbuckle · 05-26-2013, 10:01 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Orange hand cleaner will remove the grease and crud without changing the color of the metal. Liquid dishwashing soap will work also.

1crosscut · 05-26-2013, 10:40 PM

Oxalic Acid (wood bleach) will remove rust but not do any harm to paint etc... Not sure about how well it does on the tarnish on copper. Cleans the porcelan on spark plugs quite well too.

BILL WILLIAMSON · 05-27-2013, 12:22 AM

Scrubbed mine with BRASSO & 0000 steel wool. Bill W.

Farrell In Vancouver · 05-27-2013, 08:53 AM

Rusty, I just used a light tough and fanned it with the glass bead. Polished it up with a scoth-brite, then buffed it with a buffing pad.

wrndln · 05-27-2013, 11:59 AM

I just discovered that one of the brass threaded ends has a crack on it, lengthwise, all the way from front to back). Does anyone know where a replacement end can be purchased? I think I can unsolder the flare fitting on the end and install a new brass fitting if I could find one) and resolder the flare fitting on the end of the tubing. If anyone has repaired an inside fuel line, any help or leads would be appreciated.
Rusty Nelson

05-26-2013, 08:37 PM	#1
wrndln Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lakeville, MN Posts: 5,162	Inside fuel line question I have a nice original inside fuel line that needs a good cleaning. I believe fuel lines have a tern like finish on them. I am wondering how best to clean off the many years of crud on it. Would beadblasting be OK or maybe a more gentle method. It seems like a wire wheel would be too harsh. I don't want to mess up the finish on the brass ends or the line itself. Any advise would be appreciated form someone that has successfully clean one up before. Rusty Nelson

05-26-2013, 09:19 PM	#2
robert shreveport Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Shreveport,La. Posts: 332	Re: Inside fuel line question What would avoid paint thinner do?

05-26-2013, 09:20 PM	#3
robert shreveport Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Shreveport,La. Posts: 332	Re: Inside fuel line question A good paint thinner was what I meant.

05-26-2013, 09:31 PM	#4
Fred BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: California, Maryland Posts: 1,421	Re: Inside fuel line question Put it in a bucket of Carb.cleaner for two three days.. Then wash lightly with a brillo pad...

05-26-2013, 09:53 PM	#5
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Inside fuel line question I used fine steel wool and gas to clean the line, and a small brass brush to clean the fittings. I wouldn't sandblast them, unless you plan to tin the whole line.

05-26-2013, 10:01 PM	#6
Rock Hornbuckle Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Noxon Montana Posts: 532	Re: Inside fuel line question Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Orange hand cleaner will remove the grease and crud without changing the color of the metal. Liquid dishwashing soap will work also. __________________ '31 Fordor Deluxe 2W Briggs 170-B / blackwalls '41 Fordor Deluxe / 2-duece flattie '66 1/2 Dodge Charger '14 100th Anniversary Challenger Limited Edition. Semper Fidelis

05-26-2013, 10:40 PM	#7
1crosscut Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Lincoln, Nebraska Posts: 1,908	Re: Inside fuel line question Oxalic Acid (wood bleach) will remove rust but not do any harm to paint etc... Not sure about how well it does on the tarnish on copper. Cleans the porcelan on spark plugs quite well too. __________________ Dave / Lincoln Nebraska

05-27-2013, 12:22 AM	#8
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: Inside fuel line question Scrubbed mine with BRASSO & 0000 steel wool. Bill W. __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"

05-27-2013, 08:53 AM	#9
Farrell In Vancouver Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Pitt Meadows BC Posts: 1,003	Re: Inside fuel line question Rusty, I just used a light tough and fanned it with the glass bead. Polished it up with a scoth-brite, then buffed it with a buffing pad.

05-27-2013, 11:59 AM	#10
wrndln Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lakeville, MN Posts: 5,162	Re: Inside fuel line question I just discovered that one of the brass threaded ends has a crack on it, lengthwise, all the way from front to back). Does anyone know where a replacement end can be purchased? I think I can unsolder the flare fitting on the end and install a new brass fitting if I could find one) and resolder the flare fitting on the end of the tubing. If anyone has repaired an inside fuel line, any help or leads would be appreciated. Rusty Nelson