Side Lights and other questions

[John Ganton]

I hope this forum isnt just for answers because what I have are questions.
The side and rear lights on my HUP look in good condition but they are seized. They shrug off penetrating oil and I'm afraid to use heat. What's the best way to disassemble them?
My emergency brake cables are finally free. What is the best way to lubricate them so they dont seize again?
I have aquired a Chev air compessor. Is it appropriate to mount this on a HUP.
THanks John Ganton Oliver BC Canada

[Wayne Henderson]

Hi John. Same problem, steel and alloy screwed together for 60 years...You could try removing the parts, place one as a test, into mild citric acid which will clean the rust and scale out. Your local swimming pool shop sells "Black spot remover" which is just 100% citric acid crystals. Add citric crystals to water then add your part and keep an eye on it. Should take 4-6 hours to clean it up without damaging the parts, repeat if required.

This method of citric cleaning is used with caustic as a neutraliser but in this case your side lights contain alloys, which caustic will eat in minutes.

This is a museum conservation method which is a variation on the old molasses process. Citric takes hours to do its work where molasses takes weeks, same result.

Canadians do have swimming pools shops? Swim in your pool in summer then skate on it in winter...

[Phil Waterman]

As you have noted these are a pot metal which are easily deformed. On my trucks I freed them up even slightly bent ones using two good snug fitting 6 sided sockets. With a deep socket fitted over the barrel end I vibrated the outside of the socket with an air chisel with a flat ended tool bit. The trick seems to be to pull the trigger just hard enough to get that fast light tapping not the hard punch. The vibration seems to break the corrosion which will allow you to unscrew the barrel. Next is getting the brass bulb base out of the socket.

[Keith Webb]

I know it's a long while since the post, but this is what you needed. Unfortunately these are not spare ones.