Oil pan repair?

For the DIY's on here when tig welding aliuminum oil pans what do youall use to clean it before welding it?

Stainless wire brush

Stainless brush & acetone

Brake clean, blow out cracks with air, wire brush, brake clean, blow out with air, propane torch until sweat is gone, weld.
Make sure to keep the pan fastened to something rigid... preferably a spare block. Aluminum moves a lot when welding.

You know of course that this is going to bring out all of the stories about brake clean, tig welding and death.

Still here.

MEK, Gun Scrubber

Yep. Believe it or not some people still don’t know about the dangers. Until it’s to late.

Some break cleaner doesn't have clorine

No brake clean, unless you're the type to play with loaded guns too.

Acetone or a dedicated aluminum cleaner from the weld supply shop. A clean, stainless brush. Aluminum, especially cast, will absorb whatever fluid it's in contact with to some degree. You may find that you have to get it wet with the torch and clean off the poop and crap that comes up out of the metal multiple times before you can get a bead to run. Using the propane torch also helps.

If it's cracked through a bead or a thick piece, V'ing the crack will help.

crap that comes up out of the metal multiple times

What he said

All metals will absorb oil. Wash with water based degreaser and bake in over at 400* for 5 hours. After cooldown, acetone wash, grind, acetone wad and weld. Makes the welding easier.

Argon at high temps is the issue. I don’t want anyone to be harmed using only part of my advice. Read my entire instructions and there is no issue.
Better yet... just ignore me.

Thaxs for the replies fellas...…………..one more ?...….what Tungsten is use for aluminum?

Most people use green, pure tungsten. I use blue, 2% lanthanted for everything, steel or aluminum.

Thaxs…..was reading on this and was told green was used for the non -inverter type machine(older ones )some say they used orange. I'v tried purple with no luck.it work with cromemoly tho.