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Aluminium Cleaning

Posted by peter d

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Aluminium Cleaning #1
peter d peter h yorkshire, United Kingdom 1958 MG MGA Coupe 1977 MG MGB "Abomination"	Posted: March 24, 2012 06:17AM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 699

Im just experimenting with electrolysis cleaning of small parts.Have try ed Soda ash an now trying Caustic soda.Work in progress.

Just a question can i put Aluminium parts in either of these solutions? Or will it attack the Aluminium ending up in an ingot at the bottom of the bucket!
Are there any other ways of passive cleaning (No grinders/wire etc)aluminium?

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Re: Aluminium Cleaning #2
JimNH Jim Mail Nashua, New Hampshire, USA 1957 MG MGA "Camilla (the Other Woman)"	Posted: March 24, 2012 07:28AM Registered: 3 years ago Posts: 2,652

"Light" metals such as aluminum, zinc, white metal or other alloys break down much quicker than steel, cast iron or brass. I think it's because at the molecular level, there is a weaker bond, but I am not a chemist. A smooth aluminum surface that has light surface corrosion can still be cleaned with electrolysis, but only immerse the material for short periods (15 minutes) and clean with a soft brush. Longer periods will discolour, badly pit or even completely dissolve aluminum etc.

Above from this website;

http://users.eastlink.ca/~pspencer/nsaeta/electrolysis.html

JIM in NH

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Re: Aluminium Cleaning #3
59mgaguy John Terschak Kill Devil Hills, NC, USA 1930 Ford Model A "Jenny" 1959 MG 14/28 "Jessie" 1974 MG MGB "Oooops"	Posted: March 24, 2012 08:02AM Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 878

Peter,

What aluminum parts are you trying to clean. If it's the SU's don't. Some chemicals will stain the metal and you'll never get them to shin again. If you like I can PM you my son's email address for more info on the chemicals. He holds a PhD and teaches Chem at I.I.T. In Chicago.

If your working on your SU's and need the pots brighten I can tell step by step on how to bring them up to looking new.

John

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Re: Aluminium Cleaning #4
peter d peter h yorkshire, United Kingdom 1958 MG MGA Coupe 1977 MG MGB "Abomination"	Posted: March 24, 2012 11:57AM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 699

Jim i read your post on plating with great interest.I plan to have a go myself.In the thread on door skins a link was posted about Electrolysis to remove the rust on the frames. after messing about with the setup i find i need a better Anode i think (pure Zinc but may try Stainless steel) please correct me if im wrong.

The reason i ask if Aluminium can be cleaned this way and to answer Johns question, I was wondering if i could clean the skins up this way. Would a Zinc anode work on Aluminium?
John any info on the chemicals or the best anodes to use would be much appreciated

Thanks for the link as it answers many of the questions.I suppose its down to trial and error.Plus im having fun playing the mad scientist.
The mad bit comes easy the science a little bit harder

Thanks

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/24/2012 12:05PM by peter d.

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Re: Aluminium Cleaning #5
2mgs4doors Harry Rathvon Akron,Penna, USA 1951 MG TD 1958 MG Magnette ZB 1960 MG Magnette MkIII 1961 MG MGA 1600 Coupe	Posted: March 24, 2012 12:11PM Registered: 3 years ago Posts: 181

I use a 4 1/2 " angle grinder with round scotch brite type conditioning pads on a velcro pad for final buffing on Alum

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Re: Aluminium Cleaning #6
hunts H. Landon Hunter central PA '75 RB to CB, HS-4's., USA 1974 MG MGB GT 1975 MG MGB	Posted: March 24, 2012 01:31PM Registered: 9 years ago Posts: 2,916

1. It was my understanding that the SU's are not aluminum at all.

2. Easy off oven cleaner does a great job of cleaning aluminum. It was the main too I used to get the anodizing off of my MG B window screen frame prior to polishing.

Landon

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Re: Aluminium Cleaning #7
Gary E Gary Edwards Kernersville, ,N.C., USA 1962 MG MGA MkII 1974 MG MGB GT	Posted: March 24, 2012 01:32PM Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 5,211

Carbs and other small alum parts may be cleaned with a glass bead blaster. Then use the little wire brushes on a Dremel tool to brighten the crevices and a buffing wheel for the open areas. Those little wire brushes also do a good jobs of cleaning small areas of chrome. They are too soft to scratch if you are careful.

Gary

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Re: Aluminium Cleaning #8
59mgaguy John Terschak Kill Devil Hills, NC, USA 1930 Ford Model A "Jenny" 1959 MG 14/28 "Jessie" 1974 MG MGB "Oooops"	Posted: March 24, 2012 02:50PM Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 878

Mr. Hunter

The SU's are indeed aluminum. Oven cleaner is made from lye and I would not use any on the pots of the SU's. I too have used oven cleaner to clean aluminum. But this was on the transmission casings to clean all that grease and grim off. I also use it to clean out old gas tanks but prefer Draino Which is a drain cleaner made up of lye also.

Gary has the right way of cleaning up the bodies. He'll also see pictures of the last set of SU's sold.

Peter I'll PM you my boy's email address and I'll let him know your going to contact him. You can thank me by buying me a plowman's and a pint of Murphy's.

John
Ex Buckeye

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Re: Aluminium Cleaning #9
peter d peter h yorkshire, United Kingdom 1958 MG MGA Coupe 1977 MG MGB "Abomination"	Posted: March 24, 2012 03:14PM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 699

John can you ask him if Lead would be a good Anode.
If i ever come over there it would be my pleasure to purchase said ploughman's and copious amounts of Murphy's. smileys with beer

John just seen your email.Will contact him.
Thanks

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/24/2012 03:17PM by peter d.

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Re: Aluminium Cleaning #10
hunts H. Landon Hunter central PA '75 RB to CB, HS-4's., USA 1974 MG MGB GT 1975 MG MGB	Posted: March 24, 2012 03:18PM Registered: 9 years ago Posts: 2,916

In reply to # 2021179 by 59mgaguy Mr. Hunter

The SU's are indeed aluminum. Oven cleaner is made from lye and I would not use any on the pots of the SU's. I too have used oven cleaner to clean aluminum. But this was on the transmission casings to clean all that grease and grim off. I also use it to clean out old gas tanks but prefer Draino Which is a drain cleaner made up of lye also.

Gary has the right way of cleaning up the bodies. He'll also see pictures of the last set of SU's sold.

Peter I'll PM you my boy's email address and I'll let him know your going to contact him. You can thank me by buying me a plowman's and a pint of Murphy's.

John
Ex Buckeye

Ploughman's.
smiling smiley

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Re: Aluminium Cleaning #11
paddyreardon Paddy Reardon Calne, Wiltshire., United Kingdom 1956 MG Magnette ZA	Posted: March 24, 2012 03:23PM Registered: 3 years ago Posts: 136

I find the dishwasher is perfect for cleaning aluminium parts.

it even did a fair job on a cylinder head.

While the wife is out!!

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/24/2012 03:24PM by paddyreardon.

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Re: Aluminium Cleaning #12
neely Gary Neely Heber Springs, Arkansas, USA	Posted: March 24, 2012 06:30PM Registered: 9 years ago Posts: 6,120

It seems like I am constantly cleaning aluminum bits. I am down to pretty much using scotch brite pads and Brasso. I always do it by hand.

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Re: Aluminium Cleaning #13
Basil Adams About 12 miles from Sears Point, USA	Posted: March 25, 2012 02:37AM Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 5,981

Never use sodium hydroxide on aluminum. I was a chemist before I figured out there was no money in it and I recall one night back in school using aluminum foil and sodium hydroxide to generate hydrogen gas which we pumped into a balloon. We then tied a tail of magnesium ribbon (about 30 feet) to the balloon and let it float up. Before releasing the last inch of the magnesium ribbon, I lit it on fire and let go. The balloon drifted up and the magnesium ribbon burned brightly. Then the flare touched the balloon and there was a beautiful explosion and nothing was left. Quite spectacular. Anyway, here's a video of aluminum and sodium hydroxide:

Basil C. Adams
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Re: Aluminium Cleaning #14
59mgaguy John Terschak Kill Devil Hills, NC, USA 1930 Ford Model A "Jenny" 1959 MG 14/28 "Jessie" 1974 MG MGB "Oooops"	Posted: March 27, 2012 10:28AM Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 878

Mr. Hunter
You really know how to hurt a man. I miss the cheese, bread and pickle.

Peter,

I hope you email Andrew for further info. As for buying, Wife and I might be in Reading next year for a wedding.

John

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Re: Aluminium Cleaning #15
bills Bill Spohn W. Vancouver, BC, Canada 1956 MG MGA 1958 MG MGA Twin-Cam 1962 MG MGA MkII Coupe 1965 Jensen CV8 1969 Lamborghini Countach → more	Posted: March 27, 2012 11:03AM Registered: 8 years ago Posts: 9,145

Be very careful with dashpots. The interior clearance between the dashpot and piston is critical to proper operation - so much so that you are well advised top keep track of which is which when removing them, as swapping can result in too fast or too slow drop. I'd never clean them except externally and mechanically.

Basil - sounds like we were of similar mind. I got in trouble in the lab for making nitrogen triiodide, dissolving it in alcohol and painting it on doorknobs and toilet seats (it is a contact explosive that goes off with a bang - well, more of a loud snap - and leaves a purple stain on whatever set it off).

Bill Spohn www.rhodo.citymax.com/carstuff.html
1958 MGA Twincam (race car), 1962 MGA Deluxe Coupe
1969 MGC roadster, 1957 Jamaican MGA
1965 Jensen CV8, 1971 Jensen Interceptor
1969 Lamborghini Islero S, 1988 Fiero GT turbo
2009 Pontiac Solstice GXP Coupe
West Vancouver BC

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Re: Aluminium Cleaning #16
HL Miller Henry Miller Chair City, NC, USA	Posted: March 27, 2012 01:04PM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 810

In reply to # 2021679 by Basil Adams Never use sodium hydroxide on aluminum. I was a chemist before I figured out there was no money in it and I recall one night back in school using aluminum foil and sodium hydroxide to generate hydrogen gas which we pumped into a balloon. We then tied a tail of magnesium ribbon (about 30 feet) to the balloon and let it float up. Before releasing the last inch of the magnesium ribbon, I lit it on fire and let go. The balloon drifted up and the magnesium ribbon burned brightly. Then the flare touched the balloon and there was a beautiful explosion and nothing was left. Quite spectacular. Anyway, here's a video of aluminum and sodium hydroxide:

Cool video- thanks. I found out about the danger of sodium hydroxide and aluminum when my teenage nephew was visiting and making drano bombs -. He kept increasing the amounts, narrowing his window of opportunity to get away. The lady at poison control was so professional, stayed on the line for half an hour, kudos to her... Thankfully, no lasting damage after the long lukewarm shower to rinse off the splatter- memorable day. I didn't get uncle of the year for sure, but mom took it very well.

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