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How do you clean oxidation off Al engines and trannys?

A

Anonymous

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For years I have tried to clean oxidation off aluminum to restore it to it's like new sheen. I've tried mild acids, industrial degreasers, scrubbing and so on but it seems that nothing really works or works as good as I would like. If you guys have any ideas let me know. Also once the aluminum is cleaned what are you using to "seal" and protect to keep the oxidation from reforming. So far I have used an acrylic clear for engines and had good results.
 
On my vintage alum intake, I actually painted it with a light coat of high-temp aluminum-color paint as the oxiation did not clean up well and then sprayed hi-temp clear-coat. Both were rattle-can paints. It still looks good 5 years later and touch-ups were easy when I had a fuel leak issue.

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Same problem with my aluminum valve covers. Finally gave up and painted them with Eastwood AlumnaBlast and cleared them about 3 years ago.

 
I have had some good success with matt clear powdercoat. It does have it's limitations when it comes to high heat but for other parts like natural aluminum or cast iron it works great.
 
My Ferrari neighbor swear by Eastwood's #10300Z Diamond Clear satin finish as a final coat after they clean up bellhousings and other aluminum items. Gas resistant. Wish I had used it when I was working on Shag's bell housing.
 
http://search.eastwood.com/auto/Diamond%20Clear%20Satin

Thanks for mentioning that Craig, I am going to try it on my Aluminum Edelbrock finned valve covers that get nasty looking. The stang stays in the garage under a car cover, but when it rains for days like it has been doing, the aluminum gets corroded looking with white spots. Guess some moisture from the air gets trapped under the cover or something.
 
"cmayna" said:
My Ferrari neighbor swear by Eastwood's #10300Z Diamond Clear satin finish as a final coat after they clean up bellhousings and other aluminum items. Gas resistant. Wish I had used it when I was working on Shag's bell housing.
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I've used it and it works well for most apps. However, don't puse it where the part will see sunlight, it will yellow and crack in a year.
 
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