Aluminum oxidation cleaning

[Rich Edgley]

All-

I have a few "outdoor"  aluminum case parts that need cleaning.  That gritty oxidation/ corrosion stuff is on it.  Is it possible to dip in anything (chemical, or natural)  to make it clean and not spotty?   If this topic has been covered at some point, sorry.  Looking for success stories.

Rich

[Jeff Stephens]

I WISH it were that easy.

 

If you dip it in anything that will remove the oxidation, it will also dig into the good aluminum causing deeper pitting as well as increasing porosity in the casting witch if bad enough could cause oil to literally sweat threw the casting. (Some Brit bikes owners could likely chime in on that fun issue)

 

I have found that the QUICKEST / EASIEST method is Soda blasting or [if you can find and afford a pace that dose it] Dry ice blasting. That will get you started; it will still require painful amounts of hand rubbing.  To do that part, start with 000 Steel wool working your way down to a nice cotton cloth. 

 

Beyond that, it's the good old "elbow grease method; Wet sanding (starting from 200 or 400 grit depending how bad it is) working your way down to 1200 grit or better, then followed by the painful amounts of hand rubbing.

 

OR... Screw all that and hand it off to a professional like Mike's Polishing in Kenosha and say something like "Would you make this shiny for me please" then pay him whatever he wants for the job, thanking him for saving you untold hours of agony.

 

Godffery

 

[Max Forster]

This guy uses Marvel Mystery Oil to clean off corrosion from aluminum.

I haven't tried it, but the stuff is made to go in your engine so it should be safe, right?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJ-uf4YyeHI

-MAx

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[TEAM...@aol.com]

 Interesting find, MAx...Thanks for sharing. I definitely plan to try this but, I need to throw a word of caution to everyone...unlike the guy in the video...wear latex or rubber or neoprene or vinyl gloves when doing something like this. Marvel Mystery Oil is a petroleum distillate and can do damage to skin and internal organs when absorbed through the skin. It can cause reactions that lead to aggravating skins conditions (eczema sucks) and can even be carcinegenic. Read the label and the MSDS and follow the manufacturers precautions before unduly exposing yourself to health risks that could haunt you many years down the road! I am finding out in my 60's that I wish I had someone give me this same advice 20, 30 and even 40+ years ago.

 That said...I bet the use of a toothbrush or a fine stainless bristle brush and the blue no scratch ScotchBrite would enhance the results he got with a shop rag!

Wrench safe & Ride safe!

 

"D" J V     

[Glenn Shriver]

Gents--

 

All this is very interesting.  I must try it some day.

Last winter, a roving Tom Cat marked my Egli's lower front forks as being 'his'.

Cat pee must be very acidic--or something.

My solution:  Vast amounts of procrastination.

Each time I notice it, I say to myself:  "I've got to do something about that some day."

 

Chi--I live here.

Vin--both me and my motorcycles.

Moto--is there anything else?

 

UG.

[Bryan O'Shaughnessy]

As well as safety glasses; I use toothbrushes when cleaning pocketknives, and you'd be surprised how far a toothbrush will fling stuff.  ---B O

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From: "TEAM...@aol.com" <TEAM...@aol.com>
To: mec...@gmail.com; ChiVi...@googlegroups.com
Sent: Saturday, August 17, 2013 4:42 PM

Subject: Re: [ChiVinMoto]: Aluminum oxidation cleaning

[John Saporta]

For safety on solvents and short chain mystery oils, a goof sturdy pair of PVC (usually black) gloves are handy. Always check your hands, many times I discovered the gloves I am wearing are giving me a false sense of security an they have thinned, or pinholed on me.

For the cases, if they are to be painted, then remember paint will level off fine polishing marks, look good, and protect from corrosion.

Cheers,
CL-100 John and the cheesy Moth Cave