Best aluminum parts cleaner?
12-09-2016, 02:27 PM
#1
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Best aluminum parts cleaner?
What's the best aluminum parts cleaner, for stuff like the plenum, runners, Top of intake manifold, etc.? As you probably know, the inside of those runners and plenum are funky!...So I'm looking for the best CLEANER without discoloration, as opposed to any sort of high luster polish. I don't plan to polish them at this stage of the game. What's your experience? What works and doesn't work? Thanks...
12-09-2016, 02:35 PM
#2
Melting Slicks
What's the best aluminum parts cleaner, for stuff like the plenum, runners, Top of intake manifold, etc.? As you probably know, the inside of those runners and plenum are funky!...So I'm looking for the best CLEANER without discoloration, as opposed to any sort of high luster polish. I don't plan to polish them at this stage of the game. What's your experience? What works and doesn't work? Thanks...
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racerseks (12-09-2016)
12-09-2016, 02:47 PM
#5
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
I have read on some threads on this site about using an aluminum etching spray then a satin clear coat. I have used greased lightning diluted from concentrate to a pretty strong solution with some luck Simple Green is to be avoided as it somehow weakens the aluminum. Thinking out loud it seems like a quality wheel cleaner might be useful as well but never tried.
12-09-2016, 02:49 PM
#6
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
12-09-2016, 02:54 PM
#7
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
12-09-2016, 06:38 PM
#8
Race Director
Member Since: Dec 2002
Location: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
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You may use Simple Green on aluminum without fear. If Eagle wheel etching cleaner doesn't weaken aluminum (and it doesn't), then SG won't weaken aluminum.
I worked for 30 years in an aerospace company that chemically mills metals including aluminum. We typically acid etched aluminum until 80% of the material was gone. The remaining aluminum maintained its full strength. If Simple Green doesn't hurt your skin, it won't hurt aluminum.
Personally, I'd use Simple Green and those small, toothbrush-like stainless steel brushes that are so handy. This will clean up the aluminum and leave a natural finish.
I worked for 30 years in an aerospace company that chemically mills metals including aluminum. We typically acid etched aluminum until 80% of the material was gone. The remaining aluminum maintained its full strength. If Simple Green doesn't hurt your skin, it won't hurt aluminum.
Personally, I'd use Simple Green and those small, toothbrush-like stainless steel brushes that are so handy. This will clean up the aluminum and leave a natural finish.
Last edited by rocco16; 12-09-2016 at 06:39 PM.
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racerseks (12-10-2016)
12-09-2016, 07:02 PM
#9
Burning Brakes
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Spray it on, give it about thirty seconds, and scrub lightly. I used a dollar store nylon bristle kitchen brush.
Last edited by sluggballz; 12-09-2016 at 07:04 PM.
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racerseks (12-10-2016)
12-09-2016, 08:47 PM
#10
Team Owner
Pro Mechanic
Stuff works awesome.
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racerseks (12-10-2016)
12-09-2016, 09:05 PM
#11
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
You may use Simple Green on aluminum without fear. If Eagle wheel etching cleaner doesn't weaken aluminum (and it doesn't), then SG won't weaken aluminum.
I worked for 30 years in an aerospace company that chemically mills metals including aluminum. We typically acid etched aluminum until 80% of the material was gone. The remaining aluminum maintained its full strength. If Simple Green doesn't hurt your skin, it won't hurt aluminum.
Personally, I'd use Simple Green and those small, toothbrush-like stainless steel brushes that are so handy. This will clean up the aluminum and leave a natural finish.
I worked for 30 years in an aerospace company that chemically mills metals including aluminum. We typically acid etched aluminum until 80% of the material was gone. The remaining aluminum maintained its full strength. If Simple Green doesn't hurt your skin, it won't hurt aluminum.
Personally, I'd use Simple Green and those small, toothbrush-like stainless steel brushes that are so handy. This will clean up the aluminum and leave a natural finish.
12-09-2016, 09:29 PM
#12
for those of us in canada the equivilent is called aqualum. available at napa. works awesome
12-10-2016, 12:01 AM
#13
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Spray it on, give it about thirty seconds, and scrub lightly. I used a dollar store nylon bristle kitchen brush.
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Attachment 48044032Attachment 48044033Attachment 48044034
12-10-2016, 12:03 AM
#14
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Regular cleaner is detergent of some type and strength. The diff is that the "etching" isn't detergent, it's acid and produces a chemical reaction with the aluminum, literally eating away the outermost layer of metal, revealing metal that has never seen air before -and it's spotlessly clean as a result.
Stuff works awesome.
Stuff works awesome.
12-10-2016, 02:14 AM
#15
Melting Slicks
Cool good to know
12-10-2016, 01:57 PM
#17
Melting Slicks
You may use Simple Green on aluminum without fear. If Eagle wheel etching cleaner doesn't weaken aluminum (and it doesn't), then SG won't weaken aluminum.
I worked for 30 years in an aerospace company that chemically mills metals including aluminum. We typically acid etched aluminum until 80% of the material was gone. The remaining aluminum maintained its full strength. If Simple Green doesn't hurt your skin, it won't hurt aluminum.
Personally, I'd use Simple Green and those small, toothbrush-like stainless steel brushes that are so handy. This will clean up the aluminum and leave a natural finish.
I worked for 30 years in an aerospace company that chemically mills metals including aluminum. We typically acid etched aluminum until 80% of the material was gone. The remaining aluminum maintained its full strength. If Simple Green doesn't hurt your skin, it won't hurt aluminum.
Personally, I'd use Simple Green and those small, toothbrush-like stainless steel brushes that are so handy. This will clean up the aluminum and leave a natural finish.
12-13-2016, 02:08 PM
#18
I used carb cleaner on the inside of my plenums and a brush, Walmart window cleaner is cheap and cleans almost everything, spray it on and let it evaporate, make aluminum really nice. Used to use Simple Green but this is cheaper and works better...
12-14-2016, 04:19 AM
#19
What's the best aluminum parts cleaner, for stuff like the plenum, runners, Top of intake manifold, etc.? As you probably know, the inside of those runners and plenum are funky!...So I'm looking for the best CLEANER without discoloration, as opposed to any sort of high luster polish. I don't plan to polish them at this stage of the game. What's your experience? What works and doesn't work? Thanks...
Last edited by Christi@n; 12-14-2016 at 04:20 AM.