[JoeLena]

So I am refinishing interior parts and have a couple of hinges with lots of nasty oil and varnish build up where the PO oiled everything. I have the hinges off of the various parts now. One is a long piano hinge from the head door, not brass, some type of steel. Another is a smaller piano from the icebox lid- items like that.

What do you all clean them with? Wondering if the sprays, like WD40 will harm the finish. Any suggestions?

 

[miatapaul]

I don't think WD40 will harm most any finish. It is a pretty good cleaner and would be where I started. My next move would be lighter fluid. It leaves very little film if wiped off so it should not collect gunk. If the hinge is stiff in operation really soak it in WD40 then put a drop of penetrating oil on each hinge gap. move it through several open and closes and wipe off as much oil as you can. Oil really collects dirt so you want as little as possible, but enough to ward off corrosion. Especially if it appears to be steel.

 

[JoeLena]

WD40 is looking good then.

Thanks my fellow Miata lover ('99 here, love it).

 

[miatapaul]

I am actually shopping for another. I sold my 91 a year or so ago. Miss her. I may get a NB, but would love another NA.

 

[aeventyr60]

3M adhesive remover works well. Another product that comes to mind is "Gunk Remover".

 

[JoeLena]

I have some of that spray on gunk remover- forgot about that. I'll see if it is strong enough, thanks.

 

[mdidomenico]

If the hinge is off the door you could also try one of those little steam cleaner machines.

 

[RichH]

The sure fire way to remove 'gunk' from varnish and oil thats binding up hinges and piano hinges is to remove them and soak in paint remover. If only dried and oxidized 'oil', then a soak in TSP (TriSodiumPhosphate) or other STRONG caustic detergent.

 

[travellerw]

Another option... Brake Cleaner.. Cheap and dissolves anything oil or oil residue.

 

[SloopJonB]

If they are steel with a finish on them, get them off your boat and replace with S/S or solid brass.

 

[hellosailor]

Paint thinner, aka "Mineral spirits" would be the cheapest buy.

Lighter fluid is just naphtha, similar to benzene, but a purified ($$) grade of it. That's wasted on cleaning.

Same for all the "better" solvents. To remove old varnish and oil, buy enough mineral spirits to fill a jar that can hold the hinge. Let it sit overnight and you should be able to wipe it clear, or give it a good shake in the thinner and then wipe it clear.

Any of the creamy orange "citrus solvents" will also do it. Paint them on, let it sit 20 minutes, scrub with a toothbrush, all the gunk will come off, and you're only working with water for the cleanup.

Then of course, relubricate the hinge when you are done. Especially if it is "steel" it will almost immediately get surface rust after a good solvent cleaning of any kind.

 

[desert rat]

I think hellowsailor has it right, but I would use go jo (mechanics hand cleaner).

 

[mitiempo]

If they are not rusty they are probably stainless steel.

 

[capta]

I have used spray carburetor cleaner on many clean up jobs. Should do the trick w/o soaking or too much scrubbing.

 

[JoeLena]

I did a bit with WD40 and did not help much. I like the idea of the hand cleaner and have plenty of the other items if that does not do it.

They appear original and not rusty after 40+ years so I am sure they are stainless.

Thanks for all the great suggestions so far.

 

[MikeGuyver]

drive the pin out,clean it then drive it back in