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Restoring - General discussions that span across many different groups of years and models => Processes, Products & Techniques => Topic started by: Hipo giddyup on June 15, 2017, 09:53:10 AM

Title: Good technique and substance for cleaning aluminum housings
Post by: Hipo giddyup on June 15, 2017, 09:53:10 AM
 Hi all, I am prepping to rebuild my Carter two piece fuel pump and was wondering what technique/media is used for gentle cleaning of the aluminum parts? My housing has very mild corrosion and yet still retains a black looking ink stamp on it, (that I was hoping to retain). Any suggestions or cleaners that will do the job?? .
Title: Re: Good technique and substance for cleaning aluminum housings
Post by: 1966KGT on June 15, 2017, 10:00:28 PM
well i've had excellent results with pine sol in a crock pot /baster oven, removes all grease and unfortunately ink, may try using a tooth brush with warm pine sol and avoid inked area, just my experience. submerge part.
Title: Re: Good technique and substance for cleaning aluminum housings
Post by: Hipo giddyup on June 15, 2017, 11:33:19 PM
Interesting, never would have guessed pine-sol. Thank you!
Title: Re: Good technique and substance for cleaning aluminum housings
Post by: jwc66k on June 16, 2017, 12:16:56 AM
For real tough stains (from a TV ad) like tar, try Goo-Off first.
Jim
Title: Re: Good technique and substance for cleaning aluminum housings
Post by: CharlesTurner on June 16, 2017, 10:24:47 AM
well i've had excellent results with pine sol in a crock pot /baster oven, removes all grease and unfortunately ink, may try using a tooth brush with warm pine sol and avoid inked area, just my experience. submerge part.

Looks like Pine-sol used to be acidic but now it isn't?  How long ago has it been since you cleaned with the method above?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pine-Sol
Title: Re: Good technique and substance for cleaning aluminum housings
Post by: 1966KGT on June 17, 2017, 12:00:46 AM
couple mos back I disassembled a couple of distributors, soaked them heated about 8 hrs. came out really nice
Title: Re: Good technique and substance for cleaning aluminum housings
Post by: bgp429 on June 18, 2017, 10:31:33 AM
There is a floor cleaner called Purple Power at NAPA. We use it to clean the shop floor where I work. Suspect it has some kind of acid, cleans the floors like crazy. Haven't tried it on car parts but might be an option. Try on a junk part first.
Title: Re: Good technique and substance for cleaning aluminum housings
Post by: CharlesTurner on June 18, 2017, 03:12:02 PM
Purple power is usually just good for removing dirt/grease.  It won't help to remove surface stains or corrosion.
Title: Re: Good technique and substance for cleaning aluminum housings
Post by: KevinK on June 19, 2017, 12:53:18 AM
I deal with a lot of aluminum parts in my day job. I did some internet research on the subject. I found lemon juice and cream of tartar come up often. Threw some in my untrasonic bath and it seemed to work quite well. So just go and borrow some from the kitchen. Does not take much.

Nothing restores that fresh machined or polished look except for some nasty acids. You don't want to go that route.
Title: Re: Good technique and substance for cleaning aluminum housings
Post by: markb0729 on June 21, 2017, 11:41:27 PM
I deal with a lot of aluminum parts in my day job. I did some internet research on the subject. I found lemon juice and cream of tartar come up often. Threw some in my untrasonic bath and it seemed to work quite well. So just go and borrow some from the kitchen. Does not take much.

Nothing restores that fresh machined or polished look except for some nasty acids. You don't want to go that route.

Wifey uses cream of tarter to clean the inside of aluminum pots.  She fills the pot with water, puts in a couple of tablespoons of cream of tarter (depending on size of pot), brings to a boil for a couple of minutes, removes from heat, lets sit for about an hour then dumps out the solution.  Those pots look brand spanking new on the inside!
Title: Re: Good technique and substance for cleaning aluminum housings
Post by: CharlesTurner on June 21, 2017, 11:57:44 PM
Will have to give it a try sometime.

More info:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potassium_bitartrate