I'm planning to thoroughly refurbish and paint my FW axles before installation. What's the best way to clean them up? Obviously I can have them sandblasted, anyone have a rough idea of what that costs or who in the Metro area would do a good job for a reasonable price? Anything else that can be done that would be as effective without spending the money? Finally, anyone have anything they like better than POR-15 for paint?

Plenty of degreaser, a scraper, wire brush and hotsy pressure washer works great

Most of the media blast places I have found wont touch a greasy axle... I spray the crap out of it and take it to a car wash. Power wash it and.scrap the crap out of it.. then at home your wife doesn't say. What is that pile of grease doing in the street or lawn :-) makes it easier for sure

Oven cleaner and a pressure washer.

I used Chassis Saver with good results. Degrease, wire brush loose junk off, paint. Done.

x2 oven cleaner and pressure washer..

i did take the rear 9" into Blastech - after i degreased it - I wanted to make weld it up and leak free and figured stripping it would allow me to make it nice.. and it did.

i think it cost $50 just call and ask gary

Another option for sand blasting is headstone engravers. I had a bumper done by one. Sandblasting places wanted over $100. I think I paid $30.

I would also run a broomstick with a rag down the tubes a few times. Chimney sweep??

Thanks guys, that helps. JD, I may have some hookups with the headstone folks, thanks for the tip.

Has to be a Pomeranian kitten I think...

I heard you had to dip the kitten in acetone first.

Wow, Justin that's animal cruelty. I use Simple Green.

Sorry, there is someone on CB.com that has a signature about pulling a kitten through an axle tube to clean it. I must be the only one who has noticed it. It always makes me laugh.

I guess it did take a bit of a dark turn. Hopefully PETA finds this thread. You should hear the things we say at work.

Not acetone. Muratic acid works great etches too

You are putting the cart before the horse here guys...it has to be the neighbors cat.

X3 - Oven cleaner and a pressure washer.

Sounds like oven cleaner is the clear winner. Seems like it would be easier to dip the cat than spray it, though.