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Aluminum Cleaner?

Posted By: CrazyD

Aluminum Cleaner? - 08/15/08 12:31 AM

Anyone know of a spray on and hose off aluminum cleaner? I ahve some fan clutches I want to clean, and with all the fins, need something that works without rubbing, and washes off.

Thanks
Posted By: Mobarge

Re: Aluminum Cleaner? - 08/15/08 12:57 AM

I think wheel cleaner would work.
Posted By: Neil

Re: Aluminum Cleaner? - 08/15/08 01:00 AM

Wheel acid can turn raw aluminum white as a ghost so be carefull what type you try.

I'd just use some simple green or carb cleaner and a cut down paint brush to scrub between the fins.
Posted By: jcc

Re: Aluminum Cleaner? - 08/15/08 01:42 PM

I agree wit the problems of using anything acid based. But using something mildly caustic might be you solution. I also would make sure I am not applying to anything highly stressed since you could start a sress/corrosion issue not visible to the eye. Try a strong solution of "simple Green" avaliable at most hardware stores/Home Depot, let it sit for a few minutes, it will brighten it up.
Posted By: scratchnfotraction

Re: Aluminum Cleaner? - 08/15/08 02:20 PM

some coil cleaner for home A/C units will work

spray on wash off I have used it for alum wheels,fan clutchs,alum vc,alum intakes

may want to spot check how it does first though
Posted By: cruzin

Re: Aluminum Cleaner? - 08/15/08 04:46 PM

Check out some products designed for motorcycles. Most MC shops (Honda, Harley D. etc.) offer various products designed for spraying on and hosing off. I've used several that work surprising well. Don't laugh, Pig Snot is good stuff. Checkout the HD shops, they tend to be particular about the products they offer.
Posted By: CrazyD

Re: Aluminum Cleaner? - 08/15/08 09:13 PM

FYI, coil cleaner did nothing, most of it ran right off. Active ingredient is phosphoric acid - it may work on copper, but had zero effect on an alunimum fan clutch.
Posted By: Bee4Me

Re: Aluminum Cleaner? - 08/16/08 02:09 AM

Being in the hvac biz,there are 2 types of coil cleaners.
The acid type will only work on fairly clean aluminum and it will brighiten it up.
What you want is a non acid,foaming alkaline type cleaner which contains Sodium Hydroxide aka LYE. These are used for general cleaning of dirt,grime,oily gunk removal.Ask for some Renuz or for SERRIOUS cleaning,Black Max. Use rubber gloves and saftey glass's cause this stuff DON'T play.
Issue will be how much Maginesium is in the Aluminum cause it WILL turn it BLACK if it has a high mag content.
You can try some Mag wheel cleaner as well or even some Easy Off oven cleaner.
I use both when cleaning,etching my aluminum panels. Each will give true aluminum a different color finish. Acid is bright,Alkaline is a touch darker.
If you look at the trans tunnel junction right below the shifter,you'll see the difference between acid,front and alkaline,back and also matches the shifter cover. Yeah it's a Chebell and the owner wanter it that way,but ther IS a difference in how each chem reacts with the aluminum.
Posted By: Big Bad Bee

Re: Aluminum Cleaner? - 08/16/08 02:42 AM

I've used Eagle 1 mag cleaner for years on uncoated aluminum parts. It will strip ALL the tarnish off so yes, as one of the guys mentioned, it will be very bright. Back when I used it on my old slotted US Mags back in the day, all the rest of the guys wanted my secret.
Posted By: pishta

Re: Aluminum Cleaner? - 08/16/08 05:05 AM

Yup, Eagle 1 etching cleaner works wonders with slots, spray it on, wait about 1 minute and rinse, repeat if needed, but no longer than 1 minute or whatever the bottle says.
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