Chemical Cleaning Aluminium?

TVRTASMIN · Post by **TVRTASMIN** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 6:59 pm

Anybody familiar with this process.
I've seen parts that have been cleaned this way and it seems to do a good job. Parts almost look like new.

What exactly is it and what chemical is used?

I've heard of vapour blasting which should 'clean' the aluminium better, but from my experience, any chemical coming into contact with aluminium makes it go a dark grey colour.

ramon alban · Post by **ramon alban** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 8:06 pm

The simple chemical answer is baking powder/soda in solution and any discoloring can be polished off later, but its not easy and very much depends upon whether the parts are in situ or available to be dipped.

If in situ - elbow grease plus a proprietary aluminium/metal cleaner may be the straight-forward best bet.

Whichever, start with the mildest and progress to harsher methods as required. ie

· Plain water
· Mild soap or detergent
· Solvent cleaning, e.g. paraffin, turpentine, white spirit
· Chemical cleaner - baking soda in solution.
· Wax-base polish cleaner
· Abrasive wax
· Abrasive cleaner

- any or all of the above will benefit from using different grades of wire wool.

From plain water to harsh abrasives, the type of cleaning is governed by the finish, degree of soiling, and the size, shape and location of the surfaces. If abrasives are used then the appearance of the Aluminium finish may be altered.

After cleaning wash down thoroughly with water and dry with clean cloth.

If Aluminium is not kept in good condition by regular maintenance its surface finish becomes spoiled over time. Usually this maintenance is no more than periodic cleaning, often overlooked.

It is difficult to prevent dirt and grime from settling on exposed Aluminium surfaces but if cleaned frequently then the mildest methods produce very satisfactory results.

The oxide that forms on the surface of Aluminium is a self protecting process and its removal simply allows more to form.

Use Dow Corning DC4 silicon grease to seal the surface, prevent oxides forming and make it really easy to keep clean in future. http://www.intek-uk.com/

The end result.

Alley Kat · Post by **Alley Kat** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 8:43 pm

Vapour blasting is a medium (usually hot water or steam,) plus glass beads.

Post by **katanaman** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 9:17 pm

I used oven cleaner last time round and it came up great. Flash power spay is also brilliant at taking the carbon off pistons and heads.

http://www.v8scimitar.co.uk/web/Engine/ ... fault.aspx

TVRTASMIN · Post by **TVRTASMIN** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 10:01 pm

The oven cleaner approach looks interesting, how long did you leave it on?

I've used caustic soda crystals with water to make a strong cleaning solution in the past.

Might also raid the kitchen cupboard and have a go at the baking soda idea on some cleaner ally.

Post by **katanaman** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 10:12 pm

oven cleaner is caustic just ready mixed and a safeish solution. Was left on for about 20 mins or so, cant remember but it was what it said on the tin. Careful with caustic mix, if you make it too strong it will rapidly dissolve the alloy. For smaller items like heads and stuff you really cant beat the dish washed. Just don't get caught lol.

ChrisJC · Post by **ChrisJC** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 7:23 am

I used normal dishwasher powder and Jizer in a dishwasher. That seemed to work OK.

Chris.

Eliot · Post by **Eliot** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 9:54 am

I use a product called tech-kleen - but judging what others have said in this thread I suspect its probably a caustic based product.

If you use it neat, it will actually disolve thin ally - but on things like engines and castings it works wonders. You just have to judge the strength required.

When you put it on, the oil turns into a cream and the ally starts fizzing!

Tech-kleen and a brush got these results:
http://mez.co.uk/westfield/08230001.JPG

This is the stuff:
http://www.astralcsl.com/product.do?product=38350
They do it in 5L also.
Tech-Kleen works well on wheels too, but not if they are caked on with brake dust - in which case i use DCON acid (concrete cleaner!) - which they also sell. I run it through the pressure washer under the car and it removes all the oil - its great stuff.

Alley Kat · Post by **Alley Kat** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 11:52 am

I used the spray oven cleaner a couple of days ago on some bike wheels, worked well, and does a fair amount of degreasing. But does slowly eat alloy. Seemed to do a certain amount of de-furring the surface corrosion too, which was handy.

Another good oven cleaner but more for general use is the ammonia-based gel type. It removes carbon and all sorts, including paint (shifted some that Nitromors wouldn't touch). It's nasty so have ventilation, gloves, etc. Used it among other things to decoke a bike top end, which did a nice job without having to get abrasive on any parts.

topcatcustom · Post by **topcatcustom** » Wed Aug 27, 2008 12:03 pm

I'm a bit dubious about using any of these products that "can start to disolve ally" surely any of that is bad news on engine parts!!! I want to clean my heads & block up perfect but dont know whtas best to use!!!