Cleaning up aluminium

[david052]

Hello

 

Just a quick question, to which I am sure there is a quick answer. I have an aluminium heat shield from my engine bay which has a few knocks and dents and general cooked in dirt. As I like the engine bay to be reasonably clean and shiny what is the best way to clean it up without resorting to buffing with a wire cup brush and getting it covered in scratches?

 

Thanks

[TooTallMike]

Scrubbing with petrol or white spirit will get rid of oil-based crud and dirt. Paintstripper will get rid of other stuff. Wire wool will clean it up afterwards - it'll soon oxidise again, hiding any slight scratching.

 

- Mike

[79x100]

This may sound odd but any slightly acidic household cleaner that states "Do not use on aluminium" or some such will help - they're just paranoid about discolouration in posh kitchens.

 

Products like 'Mr Muscle' work well on sand-cast motorcycle engines. I prefer to use fine Scotch-brite rather than steel wool which can leave particles that rust.

[Willyslancs]

We use stainless steel in my job( catering equipment) we use a cleaning substance called Sheila Shine maybe its ok on aluminium..........

[Mark]

Paraffin and wire wool

[Richard Farrant]

Paraffin and wire wool

 

Mark,

 

I thought you would have used Coca Cola

[Mark]

Mark,

 

I thought you would have used Coca Cola

 

 

Well yea there is that, but you do need to clean it off correctly otherwise the next day the ali will be gone :-D

[alant]

Do not use wire wool as you will leave small particles of steel embedded in the alloy, mix this with a bit of moisture and you have a battery and lots of white powder that used to be aluminium. Scotch-Brite is the best as various grades are available.

 

Alan

30+ Years experience removing corrosion from vintage flying machines

[Espressodude]

stuff called naval jelly..is weak phosphoric acid in gell format works well, but rinse quickly.

Also oven cleaner

[antarmike]

Blasting with polybeads, as the RAF prepare their aircraft for repainting. A good shot blaster should offer a suitable blasting medium.

[Swill1952xs]

If you can get hold of some........... try neat Bio Diesel. It cleaned up the aluminium on the side of my artic trailer a treat. It isn't corrosive like some cleaners and is obviously oil soluble. All you have to do is soak it in submersion and leave it. It also cleans brass very well too.

[paul connor]

Stuff I know will clean it up... ALI Shine from Autosmart (valeting supplies) its lethal! and will strip anything off metal (corrosion etc) not for use on ALI! ironic with the name!

 

I cleaned a bed on a low loader with it (check plate) and came up like new

 

about £30 for 5L

 

General Contact details

Autosmart International Ltd, Lynn Lane, Shenstone, Lichfield, Staffordshire, WS14 0DH

Tel: 01543 481616

Fax: 01543 481549

General Email: info@autosmart.co.uk

 

 

John Tattum is the South East rep, mention me if you call him:)

[gps]

at work we use a soda blaster it works well but is slow work and the soda is inert and can be washed away with worm water then a thin covering with an oil will prevent oxidization.