Aluminum cleaing

[Dick W.]

Re: Aluminum cleaning

Don,
Makes sence but I'll bet they beed blast if they are going to tumble afterwards.

I have a parts tumbler in the shop and it does not remove the black corrosion spots on the aluminum.
.
My tumbler to small to put large parts in and we use walnut shells most of the time.

I use the tumbler to polish parts (die cast) and give them the sheen they had when they were new and think that tumbling a sand cast part changes the original sand cast look.

There is a acid we use on aircraft sand castings and skin, all aluminum with exception to anodized aluminum. It does a good job on cast and can be further treated with clear alodine which is a chemical not a paint, that slows or stops further corrosion.

DOM


W

If you want to do the reskinning yourself, then invest in a Wheelabrator. I looked at buying one years ago, but, to me, it ain't worth $10-15k used. And that is just one part of the equation.

I have restored cars and trucks for 50 years and there ain't no free lunch Ethel. Ya wants the looks, ya pays the bucks. I have two that I am working on right now, probably the last that I will ever do, and they ain't Vettes. You do not realize how lucky you are with all the repro parts available. I scrounge eflea, three forums, and a couple of other sites every day for parts and pieces. What repros that are out there for my vehicles are very poor.

[Mike E.]

Re: Aluminum cleaing

No one has mentioned steam cleaning. A small restoration place near me uses aluminum cleaner and steam--he believes that it opens the pores of the aluminum. I've seen some intakes he has done--they're mighty nice looking. Valve covers okay, but not quite as nice.

[Domenic T.]

Re: Aluminum cleaing

No one has mentioned steam cleaning. A small restoration place near me uses aluminum cleaner and steam--he believes that it opens the pores of the aluminum. I've seen some intakes he has done--they're mighty nice looking. Valve covers okay, but not quite as nice.

That sounds like it might be a good way to use the acid and have it work better.

The valve covers are cast differently and that may be why the are not as nice. I believe they are die cast and the surface is tighter than sand cast.


DOM

[Jim D.]

Re: Aluminum cleaing

Thanks for all the replys. That is the value of this site, love it. Here what I did to handle the valve covers. I bought a set of nos valve covers still boxed. Took them out and gently cleaned them with the suggested hand cleaner...look great. For $90.00 seemed to be a good way to go.

[Dick W.]

Re: Aluminum cleaing

No one has mentioned steam cleaning. A small restoration place near me uses aluminum cleaner and steam--he believes that it opens the pores of the aluminum. I've seen some intakes he has done--they're mighty nice looking. Valve covers okay, but not quite as nice.

He is using a mild phosphoric acid solution. I have done this to quite a few aluminum parts. Does a fair job, but not as new.

[David V.]

Re: Aluminum cleaing

Great thread. Thanks for the info guys.

[Dick W.]

Re: Aluminum cleaing

Be aware if you use phosphoric, use a mild solution. Too strong and it will turn the aluminum black.