Topic: Good technique and substance for cleaning aluminum housings

[Hipo giddyup]

 Hi all, I am prepping to rebuild my Carter two piece fuel pump and was wondering what technique/media is used for gentle cleaning of the aluminum parts? My housing has very mild corrosion and yet still retains a black looking ink stamp on it, (that I was hoping to retain). Any suggestions or cleaners that will do the job?? .

[1966KGT]

well i've had excellent results with pine sol in a crock pot /baster oven, removes all grease and unfortunately ink, may try using a tooth brush with warm pine sol and avoid inked area, just my experience. submerge part.

[Hipo giddyup]

Interesting, never would have guessed pine-sol. Thank you!

[jwc66k]

For real tough stains (from a TV ad) like tar, try Goo-Off first.
Jim

[CharlesTurner]

well i've had excellent results with pine sol in a crock pot /baster oven, removes all grease and unfortunately ink, may try using a tooth brush with warm pine sol and avoid inked area, just my experience. submerge part.

Looks like Pine-sol used to be acidic but now it isn't?  How long ago has it been since you cleaned with the method above?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pine-Sol

[1966KGT]

couple mos back I disassembled a couple of distributors, soaked them heated about 8 hrs. came out really nice

[bgp429]

There is a floor cleaner called Purple Power at NAPA. We use it to clean the shop floor where I work. Suspect it has some kind of acid, cleans the floors like crazy. Haven't tried it on car parts but might be an option. Try on a junk part first.

[CharlesTurner]

Purple power is usually just good for removing dirt/grease.  It won't help to remove surface stains or corrosion.

[KevinK]

I deal with a lot of aluminum parts in my day job. I did some internet research on the subject. I found lemon juice and cream of tartar come up often. Threw some in my untrasonic bath and it seemed to work quite well. So just go and borrow some from the kitchen. Does not take much.

Nothing restores that fresh machined or polished look except for some nasty acids. You don't want to go that route.

[markb0729]

I deal with a lot of aluminum parts in my day job. I did some internet research on the subject. I found lemon juice and cream of tartar come up often. Threw some in my untrasonic bath and it seemed to work quite well. So just go and borrow some from the kitchen. Does not take much.

Nothing restores that fresh machined or polished look except for some nasty acids. You don't want to go that route.

Wifey uses cream of tarter to clean the inside of aluminum pots.  She fills the pot with water, puts in a couple of tablespoons of cream of tarter (depending on size of pot), brings to a boil for a couple of minutes, removes from heat, lets sit for about an hour then dumps out the solution.  Those pots look brand spanking new on the inside!

[CharlesTurner]

Will have to give it a try sometime.

More info:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potassium_bitartrate