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Author Topic: How to clean aluminum parts?  (Read 837 times)

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TN00TJ

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How to clean aluminum parts?
« on: May 08, 2009, 01:17:07 PM »
If you guys have ideas on how to clean and brighten up things like the intake manifold and timing cover, I'd love to hear them.

I've tried Easy-Off oven cleaner in the past but it will cause the aluminum to corrode and even crack if not fastidiously removed.

Other than that, I'm out of altitude and ideas.
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Offline FourbangerYJ

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Re: How to clean aluminum parts?
« Reply #1 on: May 08, 2009, 02:08:22 PM »
Mother's Al polish with the power ball on a drill works good. I used it on my AL wheels. Eagle also has a AL polish.
Lool in the aisle that all the car wash stuff is at the parts store or Walmart, ETC. There are a number of products.
Just make sure you de-grease everything first. Carb cleaner,brake cleaner. I also use a cleaner by Greased Lightning that has a orange scent and works pretty good at getting the grease off. Castrol makes a Super Clean that works good too.
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Scott~

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sbspence

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Re: How to clean aluminum parts?
« Reply #2 on: May 08, 2009, 07:07:33 PM »
 Used to be we'd use Aluminum or Naval Jelly , but , I'm sure there's better stuff out now ... like the previous poster mentioned.
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Offline TahoeYJ

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Re: How to clean aluminum parts?
« Reply #3 on: May 09, 2009, 01:57:55 PM »
Super Clean will oxidize aluminum so fast it's not even funny  :rtfm: Even if you dilute it, there's still a chance....

Simple Green works good when diluted (can still etch some if used straight). Home Depot has a citrus bases cleaner that works well called Zep Citrus Degreaser. I've used it on lots of stuff with success.

As for polishes, most products you find at the stores all work about the same (I.E. Mothers, Eagle One, etc) You can go to a detail supply place if you have one and pick up a series of polishes, from coarse to fine depending on how much contamination/oxidation is on the aluminum. But if you're going to use something from Kragen, O'Rieleys, etc. Mothers usually works well. Haven't used the store brand stuff for a while, so I can't speak for others...
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TN00TJ

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Re: How to clean aluminum parts?
« Reply #4 on: May 09, 2009, 11:07:47 PM »
Great ideas, Guys.  Thanks.
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John OB

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Re: How to clean aluminum parts?
« Reply #5 on: May 10, 2009, 07:03:21 AM »
I've used a fine brass wire wheel on a drill and dremel followed by brass wool for the tight areas.  Finish with a shot of clear poly.  If you do this try to find the finest wool possible to avoid sctatching.  Never use STEEL wool or wire wheels as they leave microscopic deposits of steel that will show up as rust....yes even on aluminum.  Spray-nine and a tooth bruch works well to get everyone clean.
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