Cleaning aluminum manifold
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Aluminum is an interesting metal. It's light, [relatively] strong, but it reacts to caustic substances by oxidizing quickly. So, you can clean it with about anything you like...but if the cleaner is 'harsh', the surface of the aluminum will turn dark almost immediately.
So, you can use a solvent to get rid of grease and then a detergent to get rid of residue. Glass beads are pretty hard and will tend to smooth the surface of the (soft) aluminum...unless you turn the air pressure down. Or you can use a softer grit media like walnut shells or ground corn cobs. I'd probably shoot some cleaner for aluminum wheels on it, let it soak a while and then use the power washer to clean it off.
If you want to keep it looking good longer and make it easier to clean, you would need to put some kind of coating on it to keep it from oxidizing. There are many options of coatings to choose from, but the coating needs to be clear, non-yellowing, and able to withstand some relatively high temperatures (good for 500F, anyway). Clear engine enamel comes to mind...
So, you can use a solvent to get rid of grease and then a detergent to get rid of residue. Glass beads are pretty hard and will tend to smooth the surface of the (soft) aluminum...unless you turn the air pressure down. Or you can use a softer grit media like walnut shells or ground corn cobs. I'd probably shoot some cleaner for aluminum wheels on it, let it soak a while and then use the power washer to clean it off.
If you want to keep it looking good longer and make it easier to clean, you would need to put some kind of coating on it to keep it from oxidizing. There are many options of coatings to choose from, but the coating needs to be clear, non-yellowing, and able to withstand some relatively high temperatures (good for 500F, anyway). Clear engine enamel comes to mind...
Racer
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 261
Likes: 0
From: Manahawkin NJ
I use 'Bar Keepers Friend' on all my aluminum. It is like Comet but is acid based. wet the surface and sprinkle a little on and rub lightly, wait a minuet and wash off. Try it on an old alternator and get a fell for how much rubbing you can get away with before it smooths the surface.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,112
Likes: 28
From: Florida
There are both acid and alkaline cleaners for aluminum.
The acid cleaners can contain sulphmaic, hydrofluoric acid, phosphoric acid or citrus acid and the alkalines can contain sodium hyhdoxide, potassium hydroxic. All low concentrations.
If you want acids, most wheel cleaners,
if you want alkalines, oven cleaner.
Scrub with a good drgreaser or Dawn dish soap first for grease.
The acid cleaners can contain sulphmaic, hydrofluoric acid, phosphoric acid or citrus acid and the alkalines can contain sodium hyhdoxide, potassium hydroxic. All low concentrations.
If you want acids, most wheel cleaners,
if you want alkalines, oven cleaner.
Scrub with a good drgreaser or Dawn dish soap first for grease.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,374
Likes: 224
From: Beecher Illinois
I use 'Bar Keepers Friend' on all my aluminum. It is like Comet but is acid based. wet the surface and sprinkle a little on and rub lightly, wait a minuet and wash off. Try it on an old alternator and get a fell for how much rubbing you can get away with before it smooths the surface.
Little scrub brush and a tooth brush to get into the hard spots.
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Drifting
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,254
Likes: 5
From: Brown Summit North Carolina
I had my LT-1 intake cleaned at a place in Maryland called Caramo High Performatnce, this business is ran by Jerry MacNeish.
His process is called re skinning, but he basically tumbles the in intake in a large hopper. When finished the part looks like a new out of the box intake, the tumbling also does not remove the textured rough finish of the intake.
The cleaning has held up for over 2 years now for me. When mine gets dirty or has a oil spill on it , I use brake cleaner spray and it looks like new again.
The cost was around 120.00 for the tumblimg alone , plus he fixed a couple of bad spots as well
Check out his web site.
I could e-mail a photo if you want
David
His process is called re skinning, but he basically tumbles the in intake in a large hopper. When finished the part looks like a new out of the box intake, the tumbling also does not remove the textured rough finish of the intake.
The cleaning has held up for over 2 years now for me. When mine gets dirty or has a oil spill on it , I use brake cleaner spray and it looks like new again.
The cost was around 120.00 for the tumblimg alone , plus he fixed a couple of bad spots as well
Check out his web site.
I could e-mail a photo if you want
David
Last edited by dmayhew; Jul 25, 2010 at 10:13 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,727
Likes: 39
From: Fremont CA
Same method here with brass wire brush for getting stubborn discoloration off OR, you could send it off to some NCRS rip-off and get it treated (yor car will be faster then because your wallet will be much lighter
)Make sure you wear gloves and do the cleaning outdoors in well vented area.
