Oven Cleaner on Alloys.

[keynsham1]

I am planning to refurbish my Fuchs alloys and intend to strip the anodising off to polish the rims. I have seen that oven cleaner is a very effective way to do this but I am wondering of it will attack the rubber of the tyres. I think it will be OK as you use rubber gloves to protect your hands and they don't get attacked.

Any ideas?

[brighton911]

I believe the active ingredient in oven cleaners is usually sodium hydroxide (NaOH) or a similar strong base. You should be just fine. Just to be sure, you can do a small test on the back side of a tire. See if there is blackening in the oven cleaner foam, that would indicate it is dissolving the tires. I doubt you will see that, rubber is not bothered by NaOH.

Dave

[Sicklyscott]

NaOH (Lye) is what strips the anodizing off of aluminum. Too concentrated and it will pit the aluminum. I have heard of oven cleaner ruining thin or cheap aluminum so be careful. Also this process creates a lot of hydrogen which is highly explosive, be sure to do it in a very well ventilated area (best to be done outdoors IMO).

This company's product is also very good and from what I understand contains some other chemicals to prevent pitting. It isn't as cheap as oven cleaner but it may be worth the peace of mind.

Anodize & Chrome Stripper Solution - Metal Strippers - Electroplating & Anodizing - Caswell Inc

Whatever you chose please document the process with pictures.

-S

[gtc]

It took me a few applications to get all the way through the anodizing. YMMV.