T-stat housing, best way to clean, or replace it?

[JMG]

Sorry to post one pic twice. I haven't had any problems, I just don't know the history and figured thermostat, sender and sensor were due to be replaced. Lotta scale/rust inside housing, a friend suggested I soak in CLR and then scrape the corrosion out. Any advice?

 

[lawndoctor]

I refinished the one on my 225 WE. I removed the sensor, plug, and thermostat; sanded the gasket surfaces; soaked it in paint remover; primed and painted the housing; installed a new plug and thermostat; and reinstalled the sensor. It wasn’t that much work, and it looks great and functions just fine.

 

[JMG]

That reminds me of another question - what kind of paint and primer? And, did you paint both the interior and exterior?

 

[lawndoctor]

I painted only the exterior, and not the gasket surfaces. I used Quicksilver Light Grey Primer spray paint and Quicksilver Phantom Black enamel spray paint.