What to clean the clutch with??

guidoxpress · Oct 6, 2008

OK, so i know this seems like a stupid question..BUT

1.What do you use to clean the clutches and is there anything that you should NOT clean/get wet when doing this..

My wifes old 94 zr700 arctic cat that i am rebuilding to sell and the belt blew, and melted on the clutches, and blew a hose and is sticky from antifreeze..need to figure out how to clean it...

Thanks,

BCDan · Oct 6, 2008

Simple Green, hot water, scrub with a green Scotchbrite pad. It's not a good idea to use hydrocarbons, the solvents will soak into the pores of the aluminum and re-deposit on the belt once the clutch gets up to operating temp. That makes the belt slippery.

Ron · Oct 7, 2008

I like a powder cleaner like BonAmi, scotchbrite or steel wool & lots of hot water.

rmkboxer · Oct 7, 2008

for the belt surface on the clutch I start it and take scotch bright and run it up and down so it will clean it. don't rev it up, its hard on the fingers

guidoxpress · Oct 7, 2008

awesome...thanks for the help guys..its a touchy area and i didnt want to assume anything...

i read too that some people put the clutches in the dishwasher..well when the wife is at work. HA!!..any truth to that..i guess it couldnt hurt as long as its try before install and you use a good low detergent soap..

Thanks again for all your inputs.

Duddin · Oct 7, 2008

Blow off all the belt dust and clean the heavy stuff with a degreaser then put it in the dishwasher while the wife is out shopping. It really works wonders.

AKSNOWRIDER · Oct 7, 2008

guidoxpress said:
awesome...thanks for the help guys..its a touchy area and i didnt want to assume anything...

i read too that some people put the clutches in the dishwasher..well when the wife is at work. HA!!..any truth to that..i guess it couldnt hurt as long as its try before install and you use a good low detergent soap..

Thanks again for all your inputs.

well...since I dont have a wife I suppose it is safe to say..I wash both my clutches and my new belts(wash new belts twice to make sure the mold release compound is completely gone)..has always worked great...

guidoxpress · Oct 7, 2008

sweet

AKSNOWRIDER said:
well...since I dont have a wife I suppose it is safe to say..I wash both my clutches and my new belts(wash new belts twice to make sure the mold release compound is completely gone)..has always worked great...

Really..i would have never thought about wasking the belts..goood call..i will do that for sure as well..

yeh the dishwasher seemed logical, but wasnt sure if everything was safe or if it would leave deposits on the bushings, or a residue on the clutch surface..much relief now..

Thanks for everything guys. its appreciated.

omernikski · Oct 7, 2008

In racing we use a scotch brite pad and mineral spirits

Ex-Member · Oct 7, 2008

I clean my clutches with isopropyl alcohol; +1 for washing belts before use. I do mine in the sink with Dawn.... adds a few extra HP.

guidoxpress · Oct 7, 2008

i have a ton of mineral spirits in the garage from cleaning parts to powder coat..

not sure what the isopropyl alcohol is, but will look and see what i have and inquire about it..

cleaning the belts adds HP, SWEET..maybe i will spray the whole sled with dish soap, try and catch me now..better install a seat belt just in case...HAHA!!

shortstop20 · Oct 7, 2008

guidoxpress said:
not sure what the isopropyl alcohol is

I think it's the stuff that is commonly reffered to as "rubbing alcohol".

guidoxpress · Oct 7, 2008

Ok I'm dumb

:face-icon-small-sho WOW..i will pretend that i knew that and was just joking..HA!!

i guess i will ask to have all answers "dumbified" for me..

Ron · Oct 7, 2008

guidoxpress said:
i have a ton of mineral spirits in the garage from cleaning parts to powder coat..

not sure what the isopropyl alcohol is, but will look and see what i have and inquire about it..

cleaning the belts adds HP, SWEET..maybe i will spray the whole sled with dish soap, try and catch me now..better install a seat belt just in case...HAHA!!

Might check my thread on about page 3 now-P85 & the new SW I got today has a good article on clutching by SLP. They say no liquids on the clutch for cleaning other than soap.

Ex-Member · Oct 7, 2008

shortstop20 said:
I think it's the stuff that is commonly reffered to as "rubbing alcohol".

Correct.

trikerider · Oct 7, 2008

Latest SnoWest mag has a lot of good info.

deepdiver · Oct 9, 2008

There is actually a product called Clutch and Belt cleaner..I used it and it seemed ok except do NOT put the open bottle on a trailer on a slopped driveway with the lid off with slick ski glides. Didnt get to use it more than that one time..it seemed like a mild cleaner. I think it came from Dennis Kirk or HPE..cant recall.

shortstop20 · Oct 9, 2008

^^^^^^^
Dennis Kirk carries it, not sure about HPE.

snowrdr · Oct 9, 2008

Acetone works great.

sledhead ut · Oct 9, 2008

I always pack a scotchbrite pad with me. No liquid allowed!!!!!!!!!! Scuff clutch pulleys and the belt before a big pull. Make sure they are cool first. And hold on.

What to clean the clutch with??

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