[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?