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Cleaning aluminum VC

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  • Cleaning aluminum VC

    I've got a pair of 85 Mustang aluminum covers I'd like to use on my P motor. I've cleaned them up quite a bit. First I did a baking soda blast followed by the good lye based Easy off. One cover looks great, the other still has some oxidation or dull color that I can't seem to get off. Suggestions? Wheel cleaner?
    Tom
    Overdrive is overrated



  • #2
    There's a heavy duty acid wash the semi truck shops use that removes oxidation from aluminium wheels and trailers.
    Last edited by tardis454; February 13, 2016, 11:21 AM.

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    • #3
      physically remove it, and throw them in the 0F snow.
      treat it like a "forged almuninium" piston.

      english way of saying it.
      Previously boxer3main
      the death rate and fairy tales cannot kill the nature left behind.

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      • #4
        I have a wheel in the shop on one of my grinders that's perfect for this kind of thing. We always called it a "green wheel" (it has a greenish tint) but is sold at machine tool suppliers as a deburring wheel. It makes a really pretty brushed aluminum finish. If you want high gloss you can follow up with a cotton buff and jeweler's rouge. I use the heck out of mine to take the edges off almost anything I cut or weld. Makes me look better than I am. Can't recommend this highly enough (reminds me that I need to order up a fresh one).

        Dan

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        • #5
          Originally posted by tardis454 View Post
          There's a heavy duty acid wash the semi truck shops use that removes oxidation from aluminium wheels and trailers.
          I tried something similar. It's HD HVAC coil cleaner. If anything it made it worse. Maybe I'll just paint them black crinkle and polish the fins.
          Tom
          Overdrive is overrated


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          • #6
            Originally posted by DanStokes View Post
            I have a wheel in the shop on one of my grinders that's perfect for this kind of thing. We always called it a "green wheel" (it has a greenish tint) but is sold at machine tool suppliers as a deburring wheel. It makes a really pretty brushed aluminum finish. If you want high gloss you can follow up with a cotton buff and jeweler's rouge. I use the heck out of mine to take the edges off almost anything I cut or weld. Makes me look better than I am. Can't recommend this highly enough (reminds me that I need to order up a fresh one).

            Dan
            Dan, I was interested in retaining the stock as cast finish. One cover looks great, the other poop. Maybe I'll try the baking soda blast again, if not I think it'll be paint time.

            Last fall we went to visit my daughter at school. There was a fund raiser for the school in town but it was pouring rain. One flea market shop had a Blador buffing wheel on a stand practically brand new. The asking price was $175 and the lady just wanted to get rid of it. She said make an offer. I so wanted to but had no way of getting it home.
            Last edited by Huskinhano; February 13, 2016, 01:52 PM.
            Tom
            Overdrive is overrated


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            • #7
              I'm having same dilemma. Trying to clean up a set of 1970 LT1 finned VC. I too want the original factory cast look and scared to use to harsh of a cleaner, but look's like I'm gonna have to try something. I've been working on one it's close but still kinda dull. If I get brave I'll let you know how they turn out. Been thinking about the green wheel, got a buddy who has one. Might do the end that face's the firewall for a test.
              Pt 2010, Long Haul 2011,12,13,14,15,16,17, 18, 19, 23
              If you wait, all that happens is that you get older

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