Oxidation on anodized fittings/aluminum...solutions?

[Dueller]

OK guys I've searched a variety of terms and can't find an answer. I'm in the middle of some upgrades/backdating on my '87 Carrera (a/c delete/heater backdate). In the course of removing ancillary items I've found a number of anodized factory fittings/sensors/components that have light corrosion..i.e., items such a the end fittings of fuell lines, hex bolts, etc that have a gold anodized finish that have oxidized/coroded. Any suggestions for cleaning/restoring these items? Not looking for a concourse restoration...just a means of cleaning these items so they don't look so crappy and don't continue to oxidize..

Some have suggested simple green but I know that simple green actually can cause aluminum to oxidize.

Thanks in advance.

[James Brown]

Simple green won't work and is corrosive. There is an aircraft safe simple green avaible but still won't work. The best thing is to replate or anodize the bolts/nuts/fittings. Or remove the anodize on the fitting and cold anodize or "blue" them in place. (for that "concorse" look)!

[NineOhOne]

How to Refurbish and Protect Faded or Oxidized Anodized Aluminum.

[911pcars]

Originally Posted by Dueller

OK guys I've searched a variety of terms and can't find an answer. I'm in the middle of some upgrades/backdating on my '87 Carrera (a/c delete/heater backdate). In the course of removing ancillary items I've found a number of anodized factory fittings/sensors/components that have light corrosion..i.e., items such a the end fittings of fuell lines, hex bolts, etc that have a gold anodized finish that have oxidized/coroded. Any suggestions for cleaning/restoring these items? Not looking for a concourse restoration...just a means of cleaning these items so they don't look so crappy and don't continue to oxidize..

Some have suggested simple green but I know that simple green actually can cause aluminum to oxidize.

Thanks in advance.

Only aluminum parts can be anodized. Factory fuel fittings, hex bolts, etc. are typically steel with yellow cadmium plating. One option is to replace the old fasteners with new ones. However, if you have enough, t can be more economical to batch-replate them. Yellow zinc plating is another corrosion treatment, but cad plating is more robust. This is offset by fewer sources to apply cad plating and higher plating cost.

Regardless, you should have a convenient method of identifying each fastener's proper installation location after bulk processing. Critical high-load threaded fasteners should be heat treated after plating to regain design strength.

The online PET parts catalog is a handy reference for this sort of thing, otherwise, take copious notes and maybe even photos.

Sherwood