dianeandpablo

Wow, awesome thanks so much Boxcarracer! That's the perfect size!

dianeandpablo

For whatever reason I can't seem to upload anymore images to continue. I keep getting "Invalid file" although they are Jpegs. Boxcarracer I've even tried to upload the smaller avatar you made for me...no dice. Can't seem to upload ANY images. What gives? Have I surpassed some sort of alotted space for images or something? I need some help so I can continue...anyone?

dianeandpablo

Ok, well it looks like the upload problem worked it self out. Now we can start cleaning the individual pieces beginning with the inner barrel (same for outer barrel if it is going to be reused. Working with a razor blade start slicing off slivers of RTV from the barrel working your way around the circumference. You don't need to go crazy here, just enough to get the majority of the RTV off. If the flange part of the barrel happens to have RTV, remove the excess using the same method.

dianeandpablo

Next, using a piece of acrylic or some other hard plastic with nice sharp edges, scrape of the remaining bits of RTV around the barrel. You can apply lots of pressure here since the plastic won't gouge the aluminum. Rotate the piece of plastic as the sharp edge dulls, this ensures a speedy removal of the RTV.

dianeandpablo

Repeat the last two steps for the center piece which is the easier of the two to clean...

dianeandpablo

Once you have the majority of the RTV off there should only be very thin traces of it left. At this point you can use some coarse steel wool to rub the rest off. If it is stubborn, spray some car cleaner or goof-off on the tough bits and continue rubbing it away until you're left with a clean surface.

dianeandpablo

Once you've got all traces of RTV off, give the edges a wipe with a rag dampened with acetone or alcohol...This is the look you're after.

MDamen

Great thread. Very interesting. Still haven't seen Diane.

dianeandpablo

Last step in the process before reassembly. The nuts and bolts you've been soaking all of this time to get the loctite to soften should be ready to clean. This part sucks. Working with each individual bolt/net set, we need to remove all traces of loctite with a combination of steel wool and wire brush pepperd with some carb cleaner here and there to help get the grunge off. The trick to finish each bolt off is to spin the nut in and out of the bolt while it is still wet with solvent. This will help chase the threads and ensure cleanliness. The nut should spin in and out freely...and then on to the next one. I only get this fastidious about this step because I want to ensure the threads are free of loctite so that it won't throw of the torque value during assembly.

dianeandpablo

When you've finished the final bolt you're ready to chug a beer and hit your favorite go go bar for some much needed R&R before you assemble your pieces together. Next, we'll put this sucker together better than the pros can...

MDamen

Are the bolt heads a special 12 point driver? Blue or red loctite for reassembly?

dianeandpablo

No, just a standard 8mm 12 point socket (1/4" or 3/8" drive) is all. Loctite blue will be used...I picked up the "gel" version so the stuff wouldn't run all over the place during reassembly.

dianeandpablo

MDamen, here's Diane as you've requested posing with two of her former band mates.

ble2011

This is just a fantastic write-up. It's made me think I can do this with my wheels. Looking forward to the posts putting all back together. Thanks so much.

dianeandpablo

Thanks for the compliment ble2011. It's a pretty easy process, just jump right in and do it...besides here's your chance to go in and clean/polish all of those hard to areas (ie: around the little bolt heads).