Cleaning the aluminum suspension components

I think anything aluminum specific has some sort of acid to it, otherwise it just won't get the stains out. Best bet is engine cleaner I would imagine for just a quick clean. The aluminum brighteners are not terrible, but you can't let them sit. Basically, spray on, brush immediately, and then rinse off quickly within a few minutes. Not harmful enough to damage anything that way and no worse than getting brake clean on parts if it's sitting for a bit.

 

I would look into
Simple Green Extreme Aircraft and Precision Cleaner but WD40 with elbow grease works well too

 

I use simple green. There are companies that can clean the parts using dry ice machines.

 

I can't wait until this technology becomes cheap. Need a Central Machinery dry ice blaster

 

Has anyone used simple green in an ultrasonic bath? I recently tried cleaning a Porsche (Bosch) throttle-body in an U/S bath with recommended cleaning agent for aluminum and the TB became dark almost like it oxidized. I was pretty bummed and it took me days of work with Emery cloth and buffing wheels to get it somewhat back to the way it was before I put it in. <-regrets.

 

I've had similar effects with similar degreasers in ultrasonic baths. You really have to be picky when selecting ultrasonic cleaning agents and aluminum. I don't know the chemistry behind it. If the part is off, I like using a medium glass bead on it if it has no components I can damage (rubber/plastic/etc). I've also used. Star Brite aluminum cleaner on bare parts or areas where I'm not worried about it getting in touch with delicate components.

 

The machines are fairly reasonable as well as the dry ice. It is the dry/clean air at 100+ PSI @ 150 CFM that makes it pricey. The air compressor is like 25hp multi-phase power.

 

Yeah, a bead-blast setup is on my shopping list. And soon. I just need to find a place for it. Or, leave it outside, covered. Like a cheap disposable Harbor Freight tool. The TB has some very small ports, but they are probably easily covered to avoid media/debris getting in there.

 

Yeah, that's what I noticed when I started looking at the dry ice systems. It's not easy (or cheap) to find high CFM+High Pressure air compressors. It's all about the specs on those and easy to be fooled if you don't read closely.

 

Corey

Not sure if you saw my post above.... use the simple green for aluminum - aircraft one and/ or Wd40

https://www.amazon.com/Extreme-Aircraft-Precision-Cleaner-13406/dp/B001VXU7OE/ref=asc_df_B001VXU7OE?mcid=49ddcab61cfa3e169e3f80270df2061d&hvocijid=16425007355597133135-B001VXU7OE-&hvexpln=73&tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=721245378154&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16425007355597133135&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9003674&hvtargid=pla-2281435180978&psc=1

of course try it out before doing a whole bunch

 

And keep us posted on the results!

 

Just be sure you dont use caustic soda- goes off like a bomb

 

I use a green pad with a vacuum cleaner. I purchased my 2002 7 years ago, so the aluminum was quite dirty. I would remove wheels each week if I drove more than 40 miles, and for therapy! Now I don't drive it as often because I purchased an FF. Once cleaned, it's easy and quick to make it look great.

 

I just bought a Vevor bead blast setup from Amazon and several different sizes of media. Going to try that and post back here for everyone. It's pretty cheap on Amazon, so I figure if I use it for the summer and it rusts away by next year, it still paid for itself.

 

Word of caution about using any media blaster on parts which are on the vehicle...the media goes everywhere when not enclosed in a cabinet. It will fly and embed in almost any greased joint or sticky surface.

 

For sure. I couldn't imagine blasting away inside the engine bay. It is a blast cabinet.

 

Gang,

I have more than a little experience at bead blasting and oily aluminum (Harley big twin cylinder jugs).

Keep in mind the oil is seeping into the pores of the aluminum - if you’re bead blasting (yes, in a cabinet) enough to “get the oil off”, you’re taking off a few mils of metal.

On some stuff that doesn’t matter, on other stuff it does - so BE CAREFUL what you blast.

Kevin

 

Yep. I assume we are all talking about cosmetic purposes. Degreasers to degrease and bead-blasting to clean up oxidation and deeper 'stains' on (removable) exterior surfaces (suspension components) as OP started with.

 

Looks great !