Author Topic: Good technique and substance for cleaning aluminum housings  (Read 2605 times)

Offline Hipo giddyup

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 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?? .
1967 Springtime Yellow Coupe, 289 2v 3spd, Metuchen built, Nov. 17th 66'
1966 Sahara Beige Coupe, 289 2v 3spd, Dearborn built, July 21st 66'
1964 1/2 Pagoda Green Coupe, 260 2v 3spd, Dearborn built, June 30th 64'
1966 GT350 Fastback clone, 289 HiPo, 725cfm Holley, 4spd, SanJose built, Nov 25th 65'

Offline 1966KGT

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Re: Good technique and substance for cleaning aluminum housings
« Reply #1 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.
1966 K GT, BUILT 11/08/65 4 SPEED, SAN JOSE CAR, 1969 Mustang convertible, 1970 MACH 1, 1963 GALAXIE Q code Fastback, 1966 mustang t code coupe, fuel injected

Offline Hipo giddyup

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Re: Good technique and substance for cleaning aluminum housings
« Reply #2 on: June 15, 2017, 11:33:19 PM »
Interesting, never would have guessed pine-sol. Thank you!
1967 Springtime Yellow Coupe, 289 2v 3spd, Metuchen built, Nov. 17th 66'
1966 Sahara Beige Coupe, 289 2v 3spd, Dearborn built, July 21st 66'
1964 1/2 Pagoda Green Coupe, 260 2v 3spd, Dearborn built, June 30th 64'
1966 GT350 Fastback clone, 289 HiPo, 725cfm Holley, 4spd, SanJose built, Nov 25th 65'

Offline jwc66k

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Re: Good technique and substance for cleaning aluminum housings
« Reply #3 on: June 16, 2017, 12:16:56 AM »
For real tough stains (from a TV ad) like tar, try Goo-Off first.
Jim
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Offline CharlesTurner

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Re: Good technique and substance for cleaning aluminum housings
« Reply #4 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
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Offline 1966KGT

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Re: Good technique and substance for cleaning aluminum housings
« Reply #5 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
1966 K GT, BUILT 11/08/65 4 SPEED, SAN JOSE CAR, 1969 Mustang convertible, 1970 MACH 1, 1963 GALAXIE Q code Fastback, 1966 mustang t code coupe, fuel injected

Offline bgp429

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Re: Good technique and substance for cleaning aluminum housings
« Reply #6 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.

Offline CharlesTurner

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Re: Good technique and substance for cleaning aluminum housings
« Reply #7 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.
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Offline KevinK

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Re: Good technique and substance for cleaning aluminum housings
« Reply #8 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.
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Offline markb0729

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Re: Good technique and substance for cleaning aluminum housings
« Reply #9 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!
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Offline CharlesTurner

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Re: Good technique and substance for cleaning aluminum housings
« Reply #10 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
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