aluminum intake vinegar bath?

ok all i just bought a dirty grimey edelbrock intake for my mustang i want to clean it up CHEAP of course with out adversly affecting the aluminum

so i
read the moleasses thread and saw where moleasses will attack aluminum ..not good

ive tried to put aluminum parts in my electroalises (sp?) bath didnt really work

so my question is will vinegar harm aluminum ?

or should i just buy some gunk engine cleaner and a brush

 

I dont think vinegar will remove the grime and grease.I would degrease first,and then depending on what your doing with it, clearcoat or paint,for clearcoat bead blasting with glass beads would give the best result. For paint drill or angle grinder with wire brush to prep, wipe down and paint.

 

Eagle brand mag wheel cleaner for unpainted wheels. I stinks like rotten eggs because it is an acid but it will bleach it out as pretty as you please. be sure and rinse the hell out of it when you are done.

 

DO NOT put it in vinegar!! The acid will eat the aluminum!!!

 

I also build & fly control line model airplanes, and pick up used model airplane engines whenever possible. Most of these are stained beyond the ability of carb cleaner or lacquer thinner. I have an old crock pot that I use with 50% antifreeze, 50% water. Put it on 'high' for 3 or 4 hours, (190 degrees) then rinse with cold water. Comes out spotless and shiny! (similar grade of cast aluminum as most intakes)
I'd put that manifold in a turkey pan, fill with enough 50/50 anti freeze, and warm it on the stove. Use a thermometer to check temp: 180-200* F.
And DON'T EVER use that turkey pan for food prep again. Use it for dirty speed parts only.
Cheap and easy.

 

x2 on dont use vinegar... it works GREAT for rust removal ive done it a bunch of times.. but will eat aluminum

 

I used the Eagle brand mag cleaner on a set of really filthy ass set of aluminum western mags and was amazed how good they came out,but as said really rinse parts off good.

 

Use engine cleaner and scrub it clean. You can use ALUMINUM NAVEL JELLY, and clear coat for bare metal. Best is glass beading and clear coat for bare metal. JM2$

 

X2 on the Eagle 1 stuff but I use their Chrome & Wire Wheel cleaner. Same story; spray on, scrub with a stiff brush (toothbrushes work well), and rinse thoroughly with clear water. It's the best method I've come across in a long time.
I've used it on aluminum wheels, intakes, carbs, ....... anything aluminum.

 

Wow, that's interesting. So would this work to clean up an old carb, say an old Autolite or a stromberg?

 

I use toilet bowl cleaner (cheap stuff I get at Menard's) for cast aluminum, but you can't leave it on too long or let it dry as it turns the area black. It's working when it starts foaming a little on the surface. Brush & rinse VERY WELL. It may take a couple times to get all the little stains, but it's better than "burning" an area.

 

NAPA has Aluminum Brightener. I bought a gallon for $10. It's just an acid that will eat the aluninum clean. I used it on my intake, it foams up like Muratic acid on concrete. If it's greasy at all, use paint stripper on it first and pressure wash between chemicals.

 

cut muratic acid with water to thin the mix. That will bleach the hell outta it. Degreasing, not so much.

 

Know anyone who works on home or commercial air conditioners? there are a number of different cleaners for aluminum coils, some work better on grease. almost all work on the aluminum oxide on the surface to break the dirt loose, not for polished aluminum with a clear coat cause it will remove it, yes it hates Billet! need to be rinsed thoroughly with water, fumes are nasty so do it outside.tt

 

X3 or whatever on the acid based wheel cleaners. Just get the stuff for non coated or unpainted wheels. Should have a pretty strong cautoinary statement about containing acid on the bottle.

Degrease the crap out of it first with a good degreaser then apply scrub rinse 3 or 4 times and it will clena up great without any funny color.

 

PineSol is what you want to use when soaking aluminum. Old trick for cleaning out carbs with impossible to reach places.

 

pinesol for real?

 

Yes, it works pretty well. Here is one example and a pretty good writeup:

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=560117

 

damb that looks pretty impressive i think ill try it thanks for the link and the heads up

 

If it is just grease and grime use a little mineral spirits and a stiff brush, then clear as the others suggested

 

Wow pine sol looks like it woks I will have to give it a try.

 

Oven cleaner works alright to if you got any hangin around, also pretty cheap. Spray let sit for 20min then power wash off.

 

I use Greased Lighting to clean the carbs & intake on my flattie.
Butch

 

Gawd, I hate that stuff for around the house. Might have to try it out on the aluminum though.

 

There was just a link on here, the last week or so, showing a quartet of cycle carbs, soaking in Pine-Sol......................quite impressive!!!

 

or if you know someone with a blast cabinet? that shit will shine like new!

 

Bump this back up - what kind of clear coat? where do you get it?

 

I use dishwasher soup. Bring it to almost boiling and put my greasy parts in ,throw them in to a fresh water bath and thy come out spotless. It also work great in radiators

 

Dawn oven cleaner, small pump bottle or Easy-off brand.