RE: [alfa] cast aluminum clean-up

["Jeff Greenfield" <alfaguy@xxxxxxxxxx>]

This is what I've done successfully with engine parts that I want to make
look pretty.

1) Using a rotary wire brush in a drill (or better, an air powered die
grinder) polish the aluminum using a very liberal amount of WD-40 as a
lubricant.

2) wash said parts thoroughly, I usually run them through the parts washer,
then wash with water and a degreaser such as gunk, and then (yes, I really
do) run them through the dishwasher on the pot-scrubber cycle.

3) Lasty, to make them look really pretty, I use a product called Buff-N-Rub
(or is Run-N-Buff, I can never remember), this is available in arts and
crafts stores (Michaels) and is used for gilding picture frames. Squeeze
some out of the tube, into a very small container, dilute with some WD-40,
and brush onto the surface using a disposable acid brush. Then take a
disposable rag, or wad of paper towels and wipe off the excess. A small
amount goes a very long way. You should not need more than two tubes (1 will
probably do it) for a 4 cylinder Alfa engine. It comes in a couple of
colors, the one to use is the only silver that they have and I think is
called Pewter.

You can skip the buff-n-rub if you are happy with the results after
everything is cleaned. However, chances are that it will oxidize quite
rapidly and it won't stay looking nice for too long.

This will make all the parts look like new and seems to last pretty well. I
did this whole treatment on the last engine that I rebuilt and the results
were spectacular.

HTH,

Jeff

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-alfa@domain.elided [mailto:owner-alfa@domain.elided] On Behalf Of
GModelle@domain.elided
Sent: Thursday, September 04, 2003 3:34 PM
To: alfa@domain.elided
Subject: [alfa] cast aluminum clean-up

Gentle Alfisti,
Today the crankcase, sump and front timing cover came back from the machine
shop where they were hot-tanked. The results were not-so-hot. The aluminum
has
staining that the tank treatment couldn't remove. Has anyone on the Digest
been successful with other cleaners/brighteners? I've been cautioned against
some
caustic cleaners that turn aluminum black. Thanks.
modelle in somers point
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