I've done this a couple of times and it works really well.

Here's what you need.
* Your old dirty, grimmy, rusted ashtrays
* A Glass jar or dish large enough to fit the ashtray into
* Rubber gloves that are chemical resistant, like the yellow ones you wash dishes with.
* Muriatic Acid - found in your local hardware store
* a spray can of clear coat

All you do is put the ashtrays into the glass jar or dish, pour the muriatic acid in and let it sit for a while. It'll eat all the gunk and rust right off. When it's all been eaten off take them out using the rubber gloves and spray them off with water right away, then dry them right away -- make sure they are completely dry. Then put a coat or two of clear coat over them. If there was rust on them there will be pits in the metal, but no more rust. I don't use my ashtrays for smoking so I don't know how well the clear coat would hold up to ashes and hot butts, but it works great for keeping change and other small stuff. Plus, they look a whole lot better.

P.S. Do this in a well ventilated area or outside and don't breath in the muriatic acid fumes -- they will burn your lungs and eyes.

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For a chemical free alternative, I sandblast them, then shoot them with hi-temp aluminum paint...
crash...

That sounds like a good idea too, less dangerous too. Here are some pics of a set getting an acid bath...

The Lab...

Fizz fizz oh what a relief it is...

And the grime floats...

I'll post some pics when the cleaning is finished. I like the idea of putting on a coat of paint too, would probably fill in the pits from rust.

Sandblast

DXR_DAD

I used a dremel a wire wheel and black paint.

I glass beadblast mine, takes out all the goobers but also polishes the metal ad removes pits

I wish I had some to clean but my SE didn't come with any and I havn't found a junkyard with any yet. Anyone want to donate me a set so I can test these cleaning methods

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Just thought I would post a pic of the sandblast system
Gotta go with Fierowrecker on this one

DXR_DAD

Good ideas! And I thought I was the only one who worried about dirty ashtrays!

Thing I like about the acid bath method is, it sounds like you can let the acid do its thing while you do other jobs. In other words, it appeals to the lazy bones in me

onlly problem with sandblasing....not everyone has access to one. anyone can go to the store and get a bottle of cleaner.

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JOEJOE Aol:SSFiero
88FORMULA
SSFiero@Aol.com

Only takes a sec. in the blaster, With all the work we do on these cars, Some shop that you used and are friendly with has to have a blaster???? I'm sure they would do it, or let you???

For those of you with Air, SpeedAire portable blasters run $40.00 - $150.00?? and I'm sure it will pay for itself

DXR_DAD

Why go through all that trouble when you buy new replacement ones for $5.95 each. Then they are new and not attempted to be made to look new. The Fiero Store add below expains:

84-88 NEW METAL ASH TRAY
Replace your stained, tarnished or unsightly ash trays with The Fiero Store's brand new reproduction ash trays. These new ash trays were molded directly from a GM original and is an exact match. Sold individually

I just cleaned them with soap and water and painted metalic silver. Look new and is easier than all these (except blasting).

I spray painted mine black. It took quite a few coats. But looks cool! It also adds some horsepower.

If I still worked for Breed Technologies I could have taken mine in and had them chemically stripped and then had a fresh coat of Titanium, Silver, or Gold put on them. The coating would have been REAL metal. I still know some people who work there though, I should give them a call and see if they can take them in for me.

Here's how I did mine:
https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Archives/Archive-000002/HTML/20001019-1-001789.html

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Happiness isn't around the corner...
Happiness IS the corner.

Best way to make sure all the water is gone after any kind of washing is heat. Easiest source of heat is throw them on the stove for a few minutes. That will drive water from places a towel can't get. Works better than compressed air in many cases...

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11-Sept-01, The day the world as we knew it ended.

Sticking them in the stove is a good idea, I use a hot air gun.

I clean mine with diesel and them just use some cheap metal polish that also removes rust.

Ok skitime, you got the best hand!!!

$5.95 for new ones would be the best bet!!

DXR_DAD