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For those of you who have used the Aluminum Brightener from Napa Auto Parts, what did you do or use to cover your springs to protect them? I'm going to be using this on my suspension in the next couple of weeks, and want to make sure I protect my springs from delamination. TIA
For those of you who have used the Aluminum Brightener from Napa Auto Parts, what did you do or use to cover your springs to protect them? I'm going to be using this on my suspension in the next couple of weeks, and want to make sure I protect my springs from delamination. TIA
You have a rack Ed, or are you going to jack it up. I thought of the jack thing but that stuff is pretty powerful, don't want it dripping on me.
NSF
You have a rack Ed, or are you going to jack it up. I thought of the jack thing but that stuff is pretty powerful, don't want it dripping on me.
NSF
I'll just be putting it up on jack stands on all four corners. I'll be using forearm-length rubber gloves to prevent any acid burns, and nitrile gloves inside those in case of a tear. I've dealt with hydrochloric and sulfuric acids before, and am extremely careful whenever I deal with any acid products.
Considerable experience with Aluminum Brightner. What I do is wrap the springs with aluminum foil and tape it in place. Then I use old cut-up bath towels to do a secondary wrap over the aluminum foil. I finish off wrapping with duct tape making sure none of the composit spring is exposed. When done throughly rinse with clean water, blow dry and you are ready to go. I recommend that you use a metal sealer to protect your work and make things easier to clean next time
Considerable experience with Aluminum Brightner. What I do is wrap the springs with aluminum foil and tape it in place. Then I use old cut-up bath towels to do a secondary wrap over the aluminum foil. I finish off wrapping with duct tape making sure none of the composit spring is exposed. When done throughly rinse with clean water, blow dry and you are ready to go. I recommend that you use a metal sealer to protect your work and make things easier to clean next time
Wolfgang Metallwork sealer from Autogeek. It will seal the metal to stop the oxidation process for aluminum. Easy to do, wipe on , wipe on, wipe off after hazing out.
Are you taking the wheel/tire off in the rear? Never used it before---how does it interact with plastic, paint, grommets, rubber?
Raise the car and place on jack stands, take all the wheels off, wrap the front and rear composite springs to keep any aluminum brighter off the springs, they will delaminate and fail. It won't affect the rubber parts but when finished rinse with clear water then blow dry. Coat with a metal sealer to stop the future oxidation.
The product is an acid and will severely effect any painted surface but does not seem to adversely effect the plastic parts. Take special measures not to get it on your skin, it will burn you. Keep a bucket of clean water close by just in case you splash some on yourself. I can speak from experience on all of this.
Last edited by cmonkey713; 03-11-2018 at 09:48 AM.
Wolfgang Metallwork sealer from Autogeek. It will seal the metal to stop the oxidation process for aluminum. Easy to do, wipe on , wipe on, wipe off after hazing out.
Thanks. I'll have to order some before I get started with this project. My car originally came from NY, and the aluminum parts have some pickling caused most likely by road salt that I want to get rid of. After doing all of this work I don't want to have to repeat it again anytime soon.
Raise the car and place on jack stands, take all the wheels off, wrap the front and rear composite springs to keep any aluminum brighter off the springs, they will delaminate and fail. It won't affect the rubber parts but when finished rinse with clear water then blow dry. Coat with a metal sealer to stop the future oxidation.
The product is an acid and will severely effect any painted surface but does not seem to adversely effect the plastic parts. Take special measures not to get it on your skin, it will burn you. Keep a bucket of clean water close by just in case you splash some on yourself. I can speak from experience on all of this.
Never worked with the brand in the OP's thread. But I have a lot of experience with bulk Aluminum Bright. It was concentrated and dilution was necessary.
Depending on the concentration it is advisable to work your way up from the bottom when applying. You want to avoid it dripping down to untreated aluminum., it can streak.
Again maybe the Napa stuff isn't very concentrated.
In pure concentrated forum it would turn aluminum completely milky white and yes the vapors can hurt.
I got it on my skin before with no real issues. Eye protection would be smart to.
Ed, You may need to use a brush on some areas and or second coat them to remove all the oxidation and dirt. when using a brush this stuff will splatter everywhere so take extra precautions and wear eye protection.
I used it on my Z06 several years ago. Did it in the driveway. Spray it on, wait 3-5 seconds, rinse off. Repeat if necessary. I did mine 3-4 times. Have not had any problems whatsoever, but I did not let it sit on the surface for any length of time, literally 3-5 seconds per application. Rinse very well with water.
I used it on my Z06 several years ago. Did it in the driveway. Spray it on, wait 3-5 seconds, rinse off. Repeat if necessary. I did mine 3-4 times. Have not had any problems whatsoever, but I did not let it sit on the surface for any length of time, literally 3-5 seconds per application. Rinse very well with water.
For those of you who have used the Aluminum Brightener from Napa Auto Parts, what did you do or use to cover your springs to protect them? I'm going to be using this on my suspension in the next couple of weeks, and want to make sure I protect my springs from delamination. TIA
I sprayed the entire rear end including the rear end cover and cooler and lines. It made everything gray. The cover didn’t like it.
03-10-2018, 01:13 PM
Aluminum Brightener
