Cleaning Alluminium.

[exige300]

Hello all

I`m sure I know the answer to this before I start, but, before I dismantle the Alfa g/box to have the casings media blasted, is there any easier way/wonder product anyone knows of that will clean aluminium.

[Fingers]

You could always try a careful acid wash? You can buy an aluminium brightener or mix your own using vinegar and water. Worth a try, labour intensive, but maybe easier than stripping the whole box. Media blasting gives a nice finish though.

[Django]

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/cspages/alumiprep.php

you could try this however better results if disassembled. being acid don't leave on too long (5 mins) and wash/rinse off with water. Ali then needs chemically reprotecting with something like Alodine 1200, however this will leave a gold hue. so will need painting afterwards.
I am sure there are companies out the that could do this with different coloured chemical finishes. if you didn't want to paint.
for info there is a spare gearbox on Ebay right now not sure of condition but could be a good diner of castings..

[Darkspeed]

I will get the name off of the parts cleaner fluid we have that says "do not use on aluminium parts" we use it on aluminium whenever we want an as new finish on it !

Its a McKlords product parts washing - I cannot see it listed on their site but sounds like the "breakthrough" product

Andrew

[exige300]

Thanks for that. I have tried the vinegar and also .,in the past, `Wonder Wheels` al wheel cleaner but no meaningful result.
I`ll try the McKlords breakthrough.

Thanks again
Simon.

[Django]

mothers mag and ali polish
brought you back tin
will have to catch up some time when you are around.
Will

[Darkspeed]

Some other cleaner I have which is good on bringing up alloy is a cleaning concentrate by Tip Top which I cannot find an equivalent of, but the key seems to be the PH of 12 and having a search come up with this stuff that appears to have a similar warning to the McKlords I have used

http://www.mustangcleaningsupplies.com/a12-alkaline-cleaner-heavy-soil-ph12.html

Although the Magnum force product under vehicle products sounds like a similar item and the Truck wash 80 not to far removed from the McKlords stuff we use. All a concentrated Alkali base

Will have another use around the house if not for bringing up the alloy.

Usual disclaimers apply ;)

[exige300]

I`ve eventually got hold of and tried the McKlords Breakthrough. I think my expectations were too high!
The casings were already `clean` of grease/dirt and the McKlords didn't really improve on that. I was hoping to end up with something aluminium coloured in all the nooks and crannies and sadly concluded media blast is the only way to make that happen.
However, thanks for all the advise.