Cleaning Aluminum.. | FerrariChat

Cleaning Aluminum..

Discussion in '308/328' started by Saabguy, Oct 31, 2012.

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  1. Saabguy

    Saabguy Formula 3

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    Hello all,

    what have you found to be the best way to clean aluminum and still leave the finish from the factory? I know that Simple Green works fairly well but I'm guessing that there are better products out there.

    What are your suggestions?

    Thanks,

    Lester
     
    Saabguy, Oct 31, 2012
    #1
  2. Wilson308

    Wilson308 Formula Junior

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    I use Simply Green Extreme aircraft cleaner. It's not very strong but with some scrubbing and sometimes multiple applications it works without the worry of stronger cleaners causing damage. Regular Simple Green could damage aluminum if left sitting in high enough concentrations, so I stick to the aircraft formula. I haven't found anything magical, cleaning strength is generally directly proportional to potential damage.
     
    Wilson308, Oct 31, 2012
    #2
  3. jcurry

    jcurry Two Time F1 World Champ Silver Subscribed

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    Other than Simple Green Extreme, a lot of aircraft guys use Gojo. Depending on what you are cleaning can use w/ or w/o the pumice (abrasive).
     
    jcurry, Oct 31, 2012
    #3
  4. uberlink

    uberlink Formula Junior

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    There are some other terrific aircraft products. For my Piper Archer, I use Arrow Magnolia products. The degreaser is excellent for cleaning the gunk off the underside of the plane without harming the aluminum. I cannot say for sure because I have not tried it, but I suspect it would work well in the engine bay of a 308.

    http://www.sportys.com/PilotShop/product/12022

    Other pilots I know have had good luck with the Simple Green product.
     
    uberlink, Oct 31, 2012
    #4
  5. M.James

    M.James F1 Rookie

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    Depends on the surface, and the strength of the aluminum - I have used a brass brush on my Dremel to scrub-away the corrosion and tarnish on certain aluminum surfaces. You might not want to use such a brush on areas where a gasket is to be used for sealing air/liquid. Exterior surfaces are fine. For the real tough stuff, I've used a blasting cabinet loaded with Walnut shells.
     
    M.James, Oct 31, 2012
    #5
  6. lostbowl

    lostbowl Formula 3

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    With Common sense implied, has anyone used steam to clean the engine bay? I had a steam cleaner back when and I used it on engines out for a rebuild but everything was iron then. I can't imagine it hurting the metal. Lost
     
    lostbowl, Oct 31, 2012
    #6
  7. robertgarven

    robertgarven F1 Veteran Owner

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    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    robertgarven, Nov 1, 2012
    #7
  8. andyww

    andyww F1 Rookie

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    For exterior surfaces a Scotchbrite pad soaked in WD40

    Mating surfaces Acetone.
     
    andyww, Nov 1, 2012
    #8
  9. Matto

    Matto Formula 3

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    +1....Scotch Brite is my go-to (blue pads). They remain terrific.
     
    Matto, Nov 1, 2012
    #9
  10. cmt6891

    cmt6891 Formula 3

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    Surprisingly WD40 does work really well ! Found that out by accident after using SG Aircraft among others.
     
    cmt6891, Nov 2, 2012
    #10
  11. lostbowl

    lostbowl Formula 3

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    This old dog will have to try something new! Imagine that. Lost
     
    lostbowl, Nov 2, 2012
    #11
  12. robertgarven

    robertgarven F1 Veteran Owner

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    If I am not mistaken WD40 is mostly stoddard solvent. I have used it to mainly clean. Every nut and bolt I take off the car goes into a small metal tim I then take each piece and clean with a rag. This is a good thread to post this as many think WD40 is a lubricant which it is not and actually strips lubricant off parts. Thats how I cleaned all these parts with the exception of a few.
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    robertgarven, Nov 3, 2012
    #12
  13. Robz328

    Robz328 F1 Veteran Rossa Subscribed

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    I agree with this...mild solvent, rag, and work.
     
    Robz328, Nov 5, 2012
    #13
  14. Gleggy

    Gleggy Formula 3

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    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Gleggy, Nov 6, 2012
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  15. mustardfj40

    mustardfj40 Formula 3

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    Wow!!!
     
    mustardfj40, Nov 6, 2012
    #15
  16. designr

    designr Karting

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    Nice shine Murray - makes me want to pull my engine and send it half way around the globe.... BTW the euro grill is finally on the car - looks great
     
    designr, Nov 6, 2012
    #16
  17. robertgarven

    robertgarven F1 Veteran Owner

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    Thats fantastic, but he is over there! HA Do yo know what media he uses?
     
    robertgarven, Nov 7, 2012
    #17
  18. bertspeed

    bertspeed Formula Junior

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    I have been trying to clean some pistons and apart from using methelated spirits,cellulose thinners,and dettol(sold in uk),have also used Vulpex liquid soap, its a safe cleaner for practically everything from paper to stone. (Potassium Methyl Cyclohexyl Oleate). Non-acid ... non-foaming ... non-corrosive
    ... non-hazardous ... germicidal.
     
    bertspeed, Nov 7, 2012
    #18
  19. andyww

    andyww F1 Rookie

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    There is a guy here in the UK who does this and his process is explained:

    http://www.aloh.co.uk/process/
     
    andyww, Nov 8, 2012
    #19
  20. rustybits

    rustybits F1 Rookie Professional Ferrari Technician

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    An ultrasonic cleaner works amazingly well on smaller engine parts like pistons, carbs, etc. they are also surprisingly cheap:
    http://www.google.co.uk/shopping/product/216282442036924760?q=ultrasonic+cleaner&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en&client=safari&sa=X&ei=QHybUK-bIeqP0AWZwIHADQ&ved=0CC4QrRI#hsec:eek:verview

    Here's one in action:

    [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lk5JEgPHo9c&feature=youtube_gdata_player[/ame]
     
    rustybits, Nov 8, 2012
    #20

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