Great way to clean your UIM
 

So I had read a while back on the other forum about a guy using steel wool to clean his UIM. Well I had my UIM to put on some block off plates, and troubleshoot a few things so I decided it would be a good time to give it a good cleaning. I went to Lowes and got some course steel wool, as well as some medium steel wool. I started off with the course and finished with the medium. Finishing with the medium definitely gave it a little bit more shine. I must say I am very impressed with this method. However, I would not suggest doing it with the UIM in the car because steel wool shards do get everywhere, and I would not want them sucked in my engine or alternator. Here are some before and after pics to show the difference.

Before... I know not a great shot but it's all I have.

http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/d...tacy93/002.jpg

After...

http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/d...y93/UIM001.jpg

http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/d...y93/UIM002.jpg

http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/d...y93/UIM003.jpg

http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/d...y93/UIM004.jpg

http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/d...y93/UIM005.jpg

WOW! PRetty cool! I never thought about using steel wool to clean.. Great info!!

That looks pretty good! about the same look we get with media blasting, I like it better than the polished look myself.

Yea I dont have a blast cabinet so that wasn't an option. I'm not sure which look I like better I think I will have a better feel once I get it back in the engine bay. I'm pretty happy with the results for a little bit of time and $6.

Looking good there! How long did the process take?

It took me about 3 hrs, but I started off with household steel wool with the soap layer for cleaning dishes which was very ineffective. If I had started with the industrial steel wool it probably would have been under an hr. Oh I also cleaned the ISC solenoid in that time.

Can you post a pic of the engine bay after the cleaning? It's hard to tell the full impact without seeing the bay. Piece looks nice though.

Yea I will once I get it back in. I am waiting for some gaskets from Ray, and a few other things before I put it back in. Trust me though it is a world of difference, before it was brownish grey, now it looks probably a bit shinier then brand new.

this method is a lot better than using mothers mag/aluminum polish like i did. its faster and looks the same.

very nice. :biggthumpup:

Nice I may have to try this, mine is looking like yours did!!

Looks great, much cheaper than getting it polished too.

Besides the steel wool, what else did you use, is it just a bit of soapy water or what??

Bye the way it looks super, gona give it a bash myself. I had the UIM off recently and didnt ralise that it could be shined up like that, thanks for the heads up!!

To be honest pretty much just water. Every once in a while I sprayed some simple green, but I don't think it did much. I just kept a pan of clean water next to me, and after a little bit of rubbing I would dunk the steel wool to clean it out, wipe down the manifold with a towel and start over again.

humm interesting, i must go try this