Nasty Overflow

Discussion in 'Buick FAQ' started by 68 LeSabre 4dr, Jan 6, 2003.

  1. 68 LeSabre 4dr

    68 LeSabre 4dr Well-Known Member

    :Do No: ANYONE HAVE ANY TRIX ON CLEANING A NASTY:Dou: OVERFLOW BOTTLE ??:TU:
     
  2. 462CID

    462CID Buick newbie since '89

    I know what NOT to do...use a brillo pad. I got some nice scratches on my original clear overflow now. What can I say? I was a kid and a dummy. I'd suggest a nice soft toothbrush as a scrub brush, and try some tootahpaste, while you're at it. Try it out on a part you can't see when it's mounted, first, to see if it will scratch. Toothpaste and warm water shouldn't scratch a thing, but try it out first.
     
  3. 68 LeSabre 4dr

    68 LeSabre 4dr Well-Known Member

    :Do No:Thanx Chris- Been there , done it . Its so darn yellow i can't seem to get it ! Anyone ever paint one of these ? :spank:
     
  4. Nicholas Sloop

    Nicholas Sloop '08 GS Nats BSA runner up

    Yes...
    :error:
    Please don't
     
  5. 68 LeSabre 4dr

    68 LeSabre 4dr Well-Known Member

    Thanx nicholas ! Kinda ,sorta, thought that was a krazy idea , but it didn't hurt to ask ! Thanx ! OK - Who's next ,to save this bottle ! Soda blast it ? No it probbally discolors into the plastic to , huh ?:Do No:
     
  6. Smartin

    Smartin Guest

    tried bleach? I haven't myself but it might help take some of the yellow out...it could also eat the plastic away and leave you with nothing...I don't really know of any good ways to make discolored plastic come back to its original color.


    Adam
     
  7. 68 LeSabre 4dr

    68 LeSabre 4dr Well-Known Member

    ONE REAL STAINED OVERFLOW

    Thanx to you Adam ! Last night i tried all night cleaning test . I did try bleach , and also dishsoap ! :Do No: I ran out of ideas ! Thanx again Adam , ill have to put a coffee can on fender well and paint it orange!:spank:
     
  8. I don't think you can do a thing about "yellowing" on the overflow tanks. It isn't a surface condition, it is IN the plastic, the result of deterioration from exposure to light over time.

    **disclaimer**... I'm not a physicist/chemist, I just play one on the internet... :laugh:
     
  9. 68 LeSabre 4dr

    68 LeSabre 4dr Well-Known Member

    David - Thanx for the info !!:ball: I'm not getting a good feeling about this , yet . It sounds like it may be time to retire this overflow and search for a " better " used " model ! :Dou: Thanx David . Bruce
     
  10. BillMah52

    BillMah52 Well-Known Member

    Bruce,
    Try soaking the whole bottle in a 50/50 solution of Cascade dishwasher detergent and water for about 1 hour.
    DO NOT PUT IT IN THE DISHWASHER!:Smarty:
    You may be surprised.
     
  11. Smartin

    Smartin Guest

    is that the liquid detergent, granules, or bricks?:grin:
     
  12. BillMah52

    BillMah52 Well-Known Member

    Use the liquid. Got better results.
    Some bottles lighten up considerably, some come out like NOS.
    Give it a try!
    Warm to hot water. 50/50.
     
  13. Smartin

    Smartin Guest

    I'll try it on mine! It's getting kinda yellow. I'll let everyone know how it goes. Hopefully I can do it tomorrow rather than sitting on my butt:)


    Adam
     
  14. 68 LeSabre 4dr

    68 LeSabre 4dr Well-Known Member

    :Comp: Bill- I never thought of that ! You may be up to something there!!:laugh: THANX!! I'll let you know what happens !! :TU:
     
  15. BillMah52

    BillMah52 Well-Known Member

    My personal choice (wifes) is Palmolive Gel Liquid Dishwasher Detergent. Worked great for me!
    Also great for cleaning aluminum or stainless parts.
    :grin: :TU: :grin:
     
    Last edited: Jan 8, 2003
  16. chris72gs

    chris72gs Well-Known Member

    All bs aside, I soaked mine in bleach. I then put it in my dishwasher (along with tail light lenses) Ran it on the normal cycle without the heated dry.... It did clean it up very well... I have actually done this twice...the first tank i did iwas able to get $80 for at buick nats.........i think i could have sold it 5 times but when i told people how i cleaned it, their first thought was to try it on their own. This didnt make it perfect but definately lightend it a few shades............I WOULD SAY JUST DONT USE THE HEATED DRY.........
     
  17. Smartin

    Smartin Guest

    I tried the cascade trick...didn't work...made my hands smell like crap for 2 days, though
     
  18. BillMah52

    BillMah52 Well-Known Member

    Come on Adam, this is probably the cleanest they've been in a long time.
    I'm sorry you didn't get any change. It has worked for me a few times. I guess it depends on how bad the bottle is to start.
    Chris seemed to get pretty good results and he PUT his IN the dishwasher.
    I was too afraid to chance it.
    Oh yeah, did you ever hear about that newfangled invention?
    RUBBER GLOVES!!!
    Just yankin' ya chain.:laugh:
     
  19. STAGE III

    STAGE III Lost Experimental 455-4 Bolt Main Block.

    Haven't done one in awhile put we used to use Chlorox (spelling?)
    Bleach, fill the tank all the way to the top, and allow it to soak a day or two .
    Then we would leave the empty and cleaned out tank in direct sunlight for a few days.

    I may be off on the time period on the soaking, but allowing it to sit in the sun was critical.Made a big difference.

    Good Luck,
    John
     
  20. Smartin

    Smartin Guest

    Bill,

    I had no idea that dishwashing liquid had so much bleach in it!:Dou: I would've thought otherwise when I stuck my hands in there to bathe my tank. My car isn't going to any shows anytime soon, so I'm not too worried about it.

    Maybe I'll try putting in the washer next time. Fritz might also have a good idea. Chlorox(I don't know how to spell it either) seemed like the first thing to try in my mind. Oh well.
     

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