Air filter cleaning?

[Modbadger]

Bit of a daft question

I've got one of those expensive Italian air filters which claim to be washable. Bought a few years back from Broady, now looking pretty grimy.

Anyone got any idea how to clean them?

Soapy water? Detergent? Isopropyl alcohol? Microwave? Washing machine with the missus' knickers? (No, scrub that last one, I'd never hear the end of it)

[St George]

A good dose of Gunk or similar, then wash out with lashings of washing up liquid and hot water. I assume you are talking about something like Ramair ( foam ).

Colin

[Modbadger]

]Hi Colin - no, it's not a foam Ramair type - looks like a standard oval old-school air filter, but it's not paper, it's corrugated orange/rust colour.. something! Can't find out exactly what the material is, because doing that would mean destroying the filter.

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[St George]

Hi. I am glad I mentioned foam. In that case proceed with caution. Could you try washing a small part with soap wand water to see how it reacts ?

Colin

[Modbadger]

Hi - sorry to be a bit late in replying to your idea - I've given a small portion a go with soapy water and an old toothbrush. Looking at the cleaned bit with a times 7 loupe the corrugated material is metal mesh, with an outside cover of tiny reddish coloured hairs. Using the toothbrush seems to have removed some of this coating, and some dirt came off as well. When it's dried off I'll compare the colours of the patch I did, before and after, and if it looks cleaner I'll go the whole hog and the whole air filter in soapy water - and post the consequences!

[St George]

It is threads like this that will help others in the future, keep us posted.

Colin

[Modbadger]

Hi all - better late than never! Result, cleaned and refitted, all working well. Great to see this forum running again.