since I've owned my AFE for over a year now, I've cleaned it 2 maybe 3 times... the 1st thing I noticed was the amount of dirt that came off during the cleaning process (using the AFE cleaning kit) was minimal. So today I decided to put it to the test and use the K&N cleaning solution on one half of the filter and the AFE cleaning solution on the other half. I applied the AFE solution 1st, then the K&N and waited about 13~15 minutes. using the sprayer in the kitchen sink and hot water, I rinsed from the inside out as we're supposed to do, 1st doing the K&N side, then the AFE side.
Right off the bat, a ton of dirt poured out of the filter from the K&N cleaning solution side, I rinsed it until the water came out clear. then on to the AFE side, almost no dirt came out of the filter, I was kind of expecting this so this is why I did it. I took a before pic when I yanked the filter right out of the truck, I will take a post cleaning pic right after the filter has time to dry... even wet you can clearly see a difference.
I just took a 2nd pass at rinsing the filter and even more dirt came out of the K&N side, so much now to the point it looks white again as it did when it was new. the AFE side is still brown... When I'm done with this, I plan on recleaning the AFE side with the K&N cleaner before re-applying the oil.
also for anyone who wants to utter a warranty word... lol, forget it. it's a filter and it needs to be clean to work right and I'm convinced already the K&N solution is the way to go...
Results...
Filter after I just pulled it
1st pass... I used the seam as a starting point.
Filter after using K&N cleaning solution on the left side in the pic, AFE cleaning solution on the right.
back side after 1st pass
K&N water after 2nd pass 1/2
K&N water after 2nd pass 2/2
AFE water after 2nd pass 1/2
AFE water after 2nd pass 2/2
Filter after 2nd pass 1/3
Filter after 2nd pass backside 2/3
filter after 2nd pass backside 3/3
What the AFE solution left behind on 3rd pass (only cleaned the AFE side) 1/2
What the AFE solution left behind on 3rd pass (only cleaned the AFE side) 2/2
Filter after 2 1/2 cleanings... 2 K&N's, 2 AFE's & a 3rd K&N on the AFE side 1/2
Filter after 2 1/2 cleanings... 2 K&N's, 2 AFE's & a 3rd K&N on the AFE side 2/2
