Can/should this oxidation be removed?

[jives]

Picked up a the local Re-Use store a Weatherguard Defender 800 lb. capacity aluminum ladder rack. $8.00. Yup. Could not leave well enough alone and figured I needed to check the fasteners, etc. The cast aluminum seats for the rack legs are shown. They are pretty well oxidized. I tried removing with Rustoleum rust dissolver gel (phosphoric acid, I think. Listed on the back that it would work on aluminium). Did not dent it. But, do I really need to remove? BTW, the rust stains are from the fasteners.

 

[Steve from Socal]

You would need to use hydrofluoric acid on aluminum. That said, you need to UNDERSTAND how toxic it is to human tissue.

 

[JuncleJohn]

What about a wire wheel on a drill with a little elbow grease?

John

 

[jsaw]

How about a sand blaster using glass bead media

 

[Mimilan]

Baking Soda blasting for Aluminium

 

[OccupantRJ]

I use a blast cabinet and follow with a few coats of spray can clear on items of that nature. It ends up with a wet primer color look. I use the method as a customized finish. The bracket in the picture with the four bolts was done this way.

 

[jives]

Okay, so no blasting cabinet, agree on the no-go for strong acid, and using a wire wheel on all the crevices. . . uggh, no, does not look like an effective use of time.

Internet shows a bunch of chemicals. Aluma brite, vinegar, etc. Anyone with good experience with them or something else?

 

[djbmw]

Find a local dry ice blasting company and get it done there - it will leave more material on the part than other methods.