Hot soak AL case OK?
 

I'm making an assumption that hot soaking an AL case is fine as a cleaning method... I've made a few bad assumptions before... at least according to my wife ;)

Are there particular chemical soaks I need to be carefull of? I just told the gent its an AL block and he said no problem. Comments?

-Michael

I've done a number of blocks with the local engine guy - as long as they use an aluminum friendly solution, no problem.

AM

Great! dropped the case off today. $30 and I'll get it back tomorrow.

-michael

Keep in mind that this would be the first step - you still have a number of hours ahead of you doing an intensive clean!

AM

Oh yeah... I just needed a lot of help getting all the bulk crud off:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1152238936.jpg

We'll see how the results look tomorrow.

-michael

I just got a case back today and all the exterior crud was gone, but there is still some varnish on the inside that will have to be removed.
AM

How would you do that... the interrior of my entire case is this bronzy brown color I assume is varnish... thats going to be a real pain to get off!

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1152288526.jpg

Is there a danger it will flake off? or is it simply somehting to do tomake it all look great?

-M

The key is to clean EVERYTHING(again and again), even when you send it to the machine shop you have to do the final clean.

The 3M scotchbrite pads should work.

It wont be long before it starts to go back together!

Regards,

Hrmnnn... it did not come out the way I thought it would... Like so many other things in life. It seems that the outer surfaces that are not machined are covered in some kind of crusty white stuff now. I'll post a pic later, but if you think this is normal save me the aggitation and let me know :)

Guy said soap and water would clean it off. Whats the point in hot soaking it then??

I'm thinking of getting a surface conditionaing disc and some AL polishing compound... Mirror finished case anyone?

-Michael

My recommendation is to use mineral spirits. Water will cause corrosion/oxidation unless the block is dried promptly -- especially if it has any sort of cleaners in it. At least that's my experience. Mineral spirits on the other hand soaks through just about anything and dries -- well -- dry.

I used Mineral spirits on my cam carriers. Worked great at cleaning the crap off... BUT BUT BUT when I returned the following week end to the work the bearing surfaces had corrosion on them. So I got out my AL polishing stuff and polished it off. I was very surprised it happened in a week. After cleaning everything again I sprayed them down with some light wd40. I'll obviously have to clean the mating surfaces again prior to sealent application.

Best regards,

-michael

Someone please give me a tangible reason why varnish should be taken off of non bearing surfaces.

Good question Kenikh!

Pics of post hot soak:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1152316742.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1152316788.jpg

Note that the inside bearing and machined surfaces are very clean and nice. Just that the external casted surfaces seem to be covered in this cream colored chalky film. I'll spen this evening cleaning this case thuroughly inside and out. I'm not sure yet that this hot soak thing did much for me... traded one kind of crud for another. Though, all the varnish is GONE!

oh and it was only $25... I hope I didn't pay $25 to ruin my case... that would suck!

Comments?

-Michael

Cleaning them in professional tanks is not a bad start but even with aluminum you need to watch out for the temperature they use to clean. Personally, I did my 3 Carrera cases with Engine cleaner from the autoparts and a pressure washer. Don't forget to wear eye protection and a rain suit plus do it over a large plastic tarp that will be tossed out when done. To clean the inside I did the same and lightly buffed with some scotch bright pads. I cleaned each case at least 4 separate times with the pressure washer and will probably do it one more time before reassembly.

Good luck,

alex
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1152337928.jpg