Cleaning Aluminium?

[semi42]

aside from blasting, what is the best method of cleaning aluminium , im talking gearbox housings/ engine blocks etc ?? what can you recommend?

 

[DTE]

wheel acid works good.

 

[Craptain]

I start with steam cleaning. Then it depends on what you intend to do. Paint, polish? If you are going to put some other finish on then a caustic solution will clean and etch the surface. In fact it will clean it in any case but be careful. Make sure it is diluted. I have used an industrial grade wax stripper for floors. It works well on many surfaces but it can damage both you and the project if used carelessly or just to strong of a mix.

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[Kevin54]

Depends on what you want it to look like, but some Scotch-Brite and WD-40 does wonders.

 

[zkling]

Depends on what you mean by clean, but...Heat, pressure and detergent. A hot soap pressure washer or even a steam washer are great for those greasy castings.

 

[pop pop]

If a casting, steam clean, then tumble in a tumbler. Blasting doesn't quite get it done.

 

[joeswamp]

There's a process called bright dipping that is often used prior to anodizing. It's basically dipping the part in acid.

The most impressive results I've seen with aluminum is a process called "vapor blasting":

http://www.arnoldsdesign.com/Gallery.html

 

[Zeke]

Be careful with any acid. The type of casting can have a lot to do with this and porosity and acid don't seem to go well together. I hear some citrus cleaners work well but I haven't found the ones I hear about.

 

[bullnerd]

wheel acid works good.

One of the wheel cleaners works really good!...But I forget which one! Sorry.

The buick turbo guys use it on those cast t-type wheels.

 

[ibedayank]

pressurewasher... aka carwash

 

[Willie Makeit]

this IS what you want for anything cast aluminum.

https://www.eagleone.com/etching-mag-wheel-cleaner

 

[bullnerd]

BOOM! that's it willie!

 

[kf4zht]

We used to use this stuff called White Lighting. Not the one in the yellow bottle that is sold at HD/Walmart. This was only at carquest and the bottle looked like someone stamped them at home.

For general anything drivetrain cleaning I am a big fan of the dollar general house brand oven cleaner. Pressure wash the chunks off, spray (holding your breath), let soak for a little while then pressure wash again. I am usually repainting whatever so it was more about getting it clean than shiny

 

[Zeke]

We used to use this stuff called White Lighting. Not the one in the yellow bottle that is sold at HD/Walmart. This was only at carquest and the bottle looked like someone stamped them at home.

For general anything drivetrain cleaning I am a big fan of the dollar general house brand oven cleaner. Pressure wash the chunks off, spray (holding your breath), let soak for a little while then pressure wash again. I am usually repainting whatever so it was more about getting it clean than shiny

Those are examples of plain old lye.