Cleaning Aluminum

[Mike Mc]

Any way to make this crankcase look like new?

[Mike Mc]

I have an ultrasonic cleaner.

Will that do any good?

What fluid should I try?

 

[Fred Lew]

Hi Mike.

An ultrasonic cleaner works very well. I use one and have very good results. However it is very important what kind of fluid you use. Some fluids will turn the aluminium grey depending on the ph and chemicals. I have tried a few fluids and have found these two fluids to work in cleaning the aluminium without turning it grey.

 

Ultrasonic Cleaner Solution for Carburetors and Engine Parts, Ultrasonic Cleaning Solution and Washing Compound for Ultrasonic and Immersion Washers - https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B09KK6KR3Z?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1

 

Ultrasonic Cleaning Solution Shooter's Choice - https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00NVOPHKU/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

Mind you, I'm in Canada and I'm sure there are many other fluids that is available in the UK that would work.
If you speak to a company that specializes in providing ultrasonic cleaning fluid, they would know which fluids work best for aluminium. That's how I found about about some fluids greying aluminium parts.

 

cheers

Fred

[Martin Harris - Moderator]

Vapour blasting?

[Mike Mc]

I was reading that high PH cleans better.

What PH range will turn aluminum gray?

[Don Fry]

High ph, and I think the cleaners have corrosion inhibitors. Aluminium is reactive, and needs care. Stick to commercial cleaner wot say are aluminium safe.

[Nigel R]

One of the members on here very kindly bead blasted a crankcase for me; it looked like new afterward.

 

[Engine Doctor]

I bead blast ali and cases look like new . Vapour blasting ( wet bead blasting) is good but a wet cabinet is quite an investment  and costly. Any form of blasting should be followed by a quick clean in the ultrasonic cleaner  using a mild detergent to remove any glass beads that get past pluged threads. DONT uder any circumstances allow parts to be sand or crushed glass blasted as it gives a very coarse finish and can ruin parts . PM sent

[Robert Cracknell]

I have the Badger small grit blasting gun with the carbide grit as supplied. This works fine on rusty steel  etc...

Is it possible to buy beads that can be used in this gun?

If so where?

[Engine Doctor]

Yes the Badger should work fine but using fine grade glass beads neede for our small engines will make far more mess / dust that the grit you use and cover everything in white dust ! You may be able to buy small quantity of glass beads but ive only seen or looked for them in 5K bags. Bead blasting wont remove any pitting of aluminium just blasts out the corrosion. So any inperfection need sorting before blasting if possible. 

 

[Robert Cracknell]

EBay, Amazon for beads....?

 

Or where...?

 

I've drawn a blank mostly.

[Engine Doctor]

Search for Glass bead blasting media. Loads on ebay but still in larger quatities. Clarkes tools do a 5 k bucket for £34 ish

Just done a search and Key Abrasives on ebay sell a sample bag for £10 inc post , not sure of weight supplied.

Edited October 1, 2023 by Engine Doctor

[Robert Cracknell]

Thanks, will give those a try....

[Martin Arnold 1]

Have been using the slow cooker (crock pot) with  concentrated Ethylene Glycol antifreeze for a couple of years now with great success, it does not send the alloy parts dark grey and of course is non abrasive.

Just an old toothbrush to help move the crud and a good rinse and dry afterwards.

Have attached  before and after photos of a Saito silencer I did last week..... 7 hours in the pot and good scrub, less burnt on parts will clean in two or three hours, such as heads and crankcases.

Edited October 7, 2023 by Martin Arnold 1
spelling

[Paul De Tourtoulon]

9 hours ago, Martin Arnold 1 said:

before and after photos of a Saito silencer I did last week

Was that with synthetic fuel or some lovely caster one ?.

[Martin Arnold 1]

Motor had been run on MT Dynaglo 5% for the last 10 years 8% Synthetic 2% castor.

[Mike Mc]

On 26/09/2023 at 15:25, Fred Lew said:

Hi Mike.

An ultrasonic cleaner works very well. I use one and have very good results. However it is very important what kind of fluid you use. Some fluids will turn the aluminium grey depending on the ph and chemicals. I have tried a few fluids and have found these two fluids to work in cleaning the aluminium without turning it grey.

 

Ultrasonic Cleaner Solution for Carburetors and Engine Parts, Ultrasonic Cleaning Solution and Washing Compound for Ultrasonic and Immersion Washers - https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B09KK6KR3Z?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1

 

Ultrasonic Cleaning Solution Shooter's Choice - https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00NVOPHKU/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

Mind you, I'm in Canada and I'm sure there are many other fluids that is available in the UK that would work.
If you speak to a company that specializes in providing ultrasonic cleaning fluid, they would know which fluids work best for aluminium. That's how I found about about some fluids greying aluminium parts.

 

cheers

Fred

 

After much experimenting this works best for me. Much quicker than a crock pot with excellent results.