Aluminum Cleaner

[mkocal]

Can anyone help me with aluminum cleaning? A strong cleaner (mainly for the cast parts,e.g. cylinder & head) that will take some of the labour out of the project.
I have read that Edelbrock  (the engine parts company) recommends a product called OxiSov. I cannot find this product here in Canada.
Thanks
mk

[airhead]

Watch out for some of the stronger alloy cleaners, they're really meant for disassembled parts where they can be more completely rinsed afterward. Using them on an assembled engine means some solution can find its way into hard to reach places and corrode the alloy there, with disastrous results.
There is no real substitute for elbow grease, and maybe some Simple Green or even just kerosene. Don't use steel wool or wire brushes. You can use stainless wool and brushes, or brass brushes (make sure they are brass as some have brass coated steel).
Everyone has their own favourite method, so get the pen and paper ready!!


Bill....................;-)

[suecanada]

I generally work with WD-40 spray on one of those green scrubbies that don't scratch. A certain patina is quite nice too!?? The dental section of your drugstore has a brush called a sucrabrush with small angled replaceable brushes at either end..it's great for those nasty crevices on the carbs.  I often have to wrap a scrubby around a small paintbrush handle end to get at the really tight corners and a long wooden paint stir stick fits nicely between the cylinder head fins with a green scrubby wrapped around it for all those deep fins.  Good old varsol is good too but I find WD-40 can go anywhere except into locks and not cause problems over time.  I have been asked many times how i keep my bikes so clean and I just tell them I clean them and it takes lots of time...you've got to enjoy it or just not worry about it. Always choices.

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

Ed and I will tell you our choice, if you want to hear it!

[Ed Miller]

...or even if you don't.  It's too much work.

[steve hawkins]

I use a green plastic scouring pad and some degreasant - anything from the new bio-degradable stuff to parafin.  I then spray the engine with GT85 - which is a teflon spray and keeps the muck off a bit....its scented as well...which is nice.....in tough with my femine side!

Err...um...have to go and mess about with my tool box...and disturb some spiders or something....

Steve H

P.S. - Hate the over polished look - a lot of effort for a peculiar looking motor...my oppinion only.

[Bob_Roller]

I'll have to agree with not using harsh cleaners, on an assembled engine. Most aluminum cleaners are either highly alkaline or acidic, and this can be absorbed by paper gaskets, and get into tiny joints, and unless properly cleaned or neutralized, it will cause you more problems than you want to deal with. About the only method is a very mild abrasive, and a lot of ' elbow grease'. Unless you keep up with the cleaned area, it will tarnish back to  a grey color, it's what alloyed aluminum does best.

[MrRiden]

I've been accused of having a "too clean bike" here but at the risk of making myself a target again...
for the cylinder and head fins a bit of Scotch Brite pad [the green pads sue mentioned] wrapped around or glued to a Popsicle stick / tounge depressor  werks great. finish off with some Never Dull. Varsol or WD-40 helps the process with the pad as sue also said. For the cases, try some crumpled aluminum foil sprayed with WD-40. lots of elbow grease, radio on, and a cool beverage at hand.
rich

[larstorders]

Orthophosphoric acid. If you can find a cleaner containing this stuff it will work effectively and quickly on seriously furred and corroded engine cases and forks etc of your BM, restoring the finish to as new, without needing hours of elbow grease.  A bronze spark plug cleaning brush helps for agitation too. This stuff is pretty strong though so take precautions for your own safety and it will, unfotunately spoil the finish on nuts and bolts and any bare steel components so be careful with those too. The newly cleaned aluminium will VERY quickly begin to oxidise again so a good rub with WD40 or similar oil after rinsing is important to keep the new finish.  I've been using it for years, but I don't see orthophosphoric acid on sale so much these days. In England you can buy it as 'MER' from Halfords.

[Bob_Roller]

The most common consumer product available here in the US, is called Naval Jelly, they have a specific product for aluminum. The active ingredient is orthophosphoric acid, also referred to as simply phosphoric acid.

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

The most common consumer product available here in the US, is called Naval Jelly, they have a specific product for aluminum. The active ingredient is orthophosphoric acid, also referred to as simply phosphoric acid.

Gloves.

[Bob_Roller]

I've used it, and I don't think I would use it on my bike, as there is no way to neutralize it once it gets into gaskets and small crevices, aluminum and acid is a recipe for corrosion. I've been working with alloyed aluminum since 1976, and it likes to turn a dull grey color, and I have come to terms with it, and do nothing to my bike to alter this appearance. Not worth the effort, and living here in a desert environment, it hasn't gotten any worse in the last 14 years.

[Lowen]

The trick to using acid based cleaners is to apply the cleaner to an old rag and polish small areas at a time re-cleaning  each area to neutalize the acid.

[tagordon]

I use Simple Green followed by WD-40. Being careful with any locks as WD-40 will attract grime & gum em up. If I have to flush locks to get em working freely I use electrical contact cleaner from the commercial supply house followed with graphite.
As for applicators. I prefer the crumple foil that Rich mentioned. And ScotchBrite/Generic Scubbies. By the way the Scotch brand comes in various grits as I learned from my restoration work.
Also sponges never used dry. The many dental tools & Dremel / Rotary tool accessories.
Tip for Dremel / Rotory tool work:
Tack a chuck on the end of an old speedo cable &  chuck the tranny end in a drill that has a trigger lock. Works great!

[tagordon]

Oh! I did't mention. My philosophy regarding bike cleaning. I keep it clean enough to know when I have a new leak. Or to prevent some other problem. If I have the time to clean I use the time to RIDE.

Everything to its season