A3 Fuel filter surface rust removal?

[cheechy]

Hi,

Registered here ages ago but never got round to posting anything but here goes!

I've attempted to clean the engine bay but have hit a snag. The fuel filter area has a surface layer of rust that I can only get to half of.

http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=1421&d=1176744809

I've ordered one of those little toothbrush like rust removal brushes but I fear I'm still not going to be able to get into all the areas I need too.

The next question then is can I safely remove this or use another technique to clean without getting anything into the fuel!?

Please help :D

[cheechy]

I've also no idea how to get the image on screen so if a mod could help here I'd be very grateful :D

[Versoman]

perhaps not the best suggestion but what about using krust or similar then painting?

[cheechy]

It appears to be a grade of stainless steel so it would be a question I think of cleaning then maintaining the surface (something I neglected to do earlier as you can see :( )

From the piccie you can see that I've been using Autosol to get one half clean and along with a metal scourer its worked pretty well! Its just the half I cant get to thats really annoying me!

Thanks for the suggestion though :buffer:

[angusdope]

How about replacing it, they're not that expensive.

[asjam86]

How about replacing it, they're not that expensive.

I'm sorry it does sound like a cop out answer but I'd just replace it as well. There not expensive and they should be replaced when servicing the car anyway. Plus you can always shine up the new one and protect it from rusting with some form of wax I guess.

[cheechy]

Good point didnt think about that to be honest - I can always have a word at service time....

[trionic]

It won't be stainless with bad rust like that.

Buy some Deox Gel from Bilt-Hamber. Apply according to the directions and it'll dissolve all the rust. Deox Gel is a non-corrosive chemical deruster. You can leave it on metal indefinitely.
http://www.bilthamber.com/

Then, thoroughly clean off the Deox Gel, apply zinc rich primer and top-coat.

Alternatively, if that's just a top-cap, then remove it. Take it to an electroplaters and have it de-rusted, zinc plated and clear passivated. Will look better than new.

From this:
http://www.hexfiles.com/saabcentral/a6vey/metalwork_replating/IMG_4971.JPG

To this:
http://www.hexfiles.com/saabcentral/a6vey/metalwork_replating/IMG_4973.JPG

Probably much more expensive than just replacing it ;)