Cleaning aluminum has got my head spinnin' - 2 step process?

[Tippy]

Note: I DAFS already!

So, I grew up around lacquer thinner in my dads shop. I always felt it was the strongest solvent of all. But, cleaning aluminum is a different ball game than iron/steel and I wanted to make sure I wouldn't damage anything.

Question 1.

I see shiny, lustery engine cases all the time on this board and wondered if there was a magical solvent or chemical that I could just dip, agitate, and/or scrub to a shiny silvery chrome look? I assume no, or it would been said.

Well, I researched a lot here, read a ton on the internet, and went as far as reading the chemical makeup of all solvents.

I used easy-off oven cleaner (old shade-tree cleaning method) on my 3.2L cases and then used a 3500 PSI I believe pressure washer to blast/rinse. My cases are spotless except some darkening and light powdery chalk here and there after about 6 months later.

I realized my cases were clean, I just had oxidation which put me a frenzy to learn as much as I can about getting rid of oxidation and preserving the look.

Question 2:

So, should I re-clean with a solvent or just use other methods to remove the "protective" layer of oxidation?

Question 3:

My pistons have massive carbon build-up from the cartridge seal leak on my turbo and wondered what magical solvent (as I was looking for above) could get rid of it with minimal elbow grease?

I know in the past it was just lots of mechanical cleaning but I want to know if anyone has stumbled on something I haven't heard of.

Question 4:

Is cleaning aluminum always a 2 step process of cleaning with heavy solvents, then using acidic cleaners to fight corrosion?

I'm not ruling out kerosene either as a cleaner and protector of aluminum.

Question 5:

Is kerosene good enough to get off caked on grease and protect the aluminum from corrosion? I remember old farmers using kerosene to clean engine parts but I never tried it.

Sorry for being long winded. Thoughts?

[Tippy]

At my company, we have all kinds of cleaning machines for jet engine parts.

We have soapy solutions, solvents, ultrasonic/soap, and alkaline.

Unfortunately, I cant use any of them........

I wonder how clean our 2 minute alkaline wash would do on aluminum?

Alka-seltzer?

[Steve@Rennsport]

We use our soda blasting machine for such jobs.

[Tippy]

Originally Posted by Steve@Rennsport

We use our soda blasting machine for such jobs.

Do you have to preserve some way after soda? Or, since it isn't chemical cleaning, the surface makes less oxidation and looks "cleaner"?

I'm assuming since I used Easy-Off, it was pretty tough on the aluminum and caused a lot of darkening/oxidizing?

[tadd]

Easy off, sodium hydroxide, is a real stiff base with a pH of 14. All it will do is reform the natural oxide coating. My guess would be that any stains (dark areas) are left over organics (oils) in the metal pores. Hydrogen peroxide should do a number on any stains (react with the hydrocarbons) but it won't hurt the aluminum. Hydrogen peroxide is stored for decades in aluminum vessels in satilites for the adjustment jets. I'd get the stuff for bleaching hair, 10%, iirc. Wear gloves and eye protection and use a stiff nylon brush.

[Tippy]

Originally Posted by tadd

Easy off, sodium hydroxide, is a real stiff base with a pH of 14. All it will do is reform the natural oxide coating. My guess would be that any stains (dark areas) are left over organics (oils) in the metal pores. Hydrogen peroxide should do a number on any stains (react with the hydrocarbons) but it won't hurt the aluminum. Hydrogen peroxide is stored for decades in aluminum vessels in satilites for the adjustment jets. I'd get the stuff for bleaching hair, 10%, iirc. Wear gloves and eye protection and use a stiff nylon brush.

Oh great, more research!

Great perspective on the staining. Interesting, hydrogen peroxide.

I'm going to try some spots and see how it works out. Thanks.

[Wyvern]

I use a product called "Mr Moto" the after-market motorcycle places carry it.
I use it on all the cycles with lots of visible alum .(some brushed, some polished some clear-coated).

It isn't as wicked as oven cleaner and more for upkeep.
When I really want to clean I use a product used in restaurants, kinda like oven cleaner but the PH is more neutral . ... It is used for cleaning flattop grills just like you would find in a burger place.
I will get more specific info and take a look at the MSDS

[Hcarraro]

Look up RichHawk 3.2 engine build. I noticed how nice his aluminum case looked and I noticed he clear coated his to keep it sweet looking.

Henry

[tadd]

Well, nothing 'normal', I.e. Oils, will discolor the aluminum itself. What you need to do is tear up the chemical bonds that are absorbing the complementary colors. Nothing rips bonds like peroxides.

You could also use an organic peroxide like t-butyl peroxide - read oxy-clean. ^_^

Works for your clothes! The stain is still there, you just can't see it. Repeat after me... Chemistry is fun.

[304065]

Here's what I did, I recommend it without reservations.


Aluminum 901/05 Engine Case Tumble-Polished: Perfection Defined

[Tippy]

Originally Posted by Wyvern

I use a product called "Mr Moto" the after-market motorcycle places carry it.

Nice, Ill check out.

Originally Posted by Hcarraro

Look up RichHawk 3.2 engine build. I noticed how nice his aluminum case looked and I noticed he clear coated his to keep it sweet looking.

Henry

I read all the threads, don't recall his in particular.

Originally Posted by tadd

You could also use an organic peroxide like t-butyl peroxide - read oxy-clean. ^_^

Read that too somewhere. Maybe here?

Originally Posted by 304065

Here's what I did, I recommend it without reservations.


Aluminum 901/05 Engine Case Tumble-Polished: Perfection Defined

Yeah, your case was one of the few that made me want to make mine look better. That looked great!

[Steve@Rennsport]

Originally Posted by Tippy

Do you have to preserve some way after soda? Or, since it isn't chemical cleaning, the surface makes less oxidation and looks "cleaner"?

Nossir,...Bicarbonate of Soda is water soluable and a simple, thorough rinse leaves a very nice clean surface. I blow off the water with clean compressed air and its ready for any machine work or reassembly.

Soda blasting is the very best way to clean metal parts without damage, erosion, or leaving foreign material.

[Tippy]

Originally Posted by Steve@Rennsport

Nossir,...Bicarbonate of Soda is water soluable and a simple, thorough rinse leaves a very nice clean surface. I blow off the water with clean compressed air and its ready for any machine work or reassembly.

Soda blasting is the very best way to clean metal parts without damage, erosion, or leaving foreign material.

Yeah, of the blasting methods, you and some others definitely sold me on it. Too bad I don't have one to use right now.

Thanks Steve, your knowledge is always invaluable!

[RichHawk]

Originally Posted by 304065

Here's what I did, I recommend it without reservations.


Aluminum 901/05 Engine Case Tumble-Polished: Perfection Defined

+1 for Media Tumbling and hot tanking. I have to admit to having done nothing myself on the cases in my 3.2L rebuild, EXCEPT for painting them with clearcoat, which keeps the greasy fingerprints from soaking into the pores of the Aluminum.

Richard's 3.2L total rebuild

Media tumbled aluminum parts just LOVE to suck up whatever minuscule amounts of oils and dirt you have on your hands. Clearcoating the cases and timing chain housings make it easy to clean dirt off.

My only worry is the long term durability of the clear coat. I'll hate if if it turns yellow, or chips really easily.

Richard

[Tippy]

Originally Posted by RichHawk

Richard's 3.2L total rebuild

Ah yes, I remember your build now. That is a clean, great build you got going!

[tadd]

Yamaha makes a clearcoat for there bike cases (well, did years ago). Never yellowed. Real good stuff.