Is there a way to remove what I believe is JB Weld from a cast aluminum part? I have a set of Cal Custom valve covers with a big dolup (sp) of JB Weld over one of the bolt holes. Looking from the underside of the cover, there is no piece missing, maybe just a crack. I can grind off most of it with a dremel or something, but I am wondering if there is some way to remove it without hurting the aluminum? Maybe a solvent,or bead blasting? Any experiances out there?
I would try acetone, zylene, lacquer thinner for starters. But I think if you drill a small starter hole you can take a sheet metal scriber and just "pick" it apart after applying the solvent and letting it soak..
paint stripper will break it slowly and controlled any thing like blasting will imbed in the crack making an impure weld.
The model airplane store near me has some stuff that removes Super Glue. I figger it must be pretty hot ! Might be worth a try.......OLDBEET
I worked at a plating shop and we had to deal with that stuff on a few occasions. We usually ended up grinding everything out with a carbide and filling the resulting void. You'll be better off to grind it out and take a little aluminum out with it, than to pick it out and have a residue left in there, because when you go to weld it, that JB is going to booger up your weld bad. I'd use a cutoff wheel, grind out the JB and make a nice V shape where your crack was, then TIG it back up with a good filler rod.
JB Weld breaks down at about 500 degrees. Just gently heat the area with your propane torch. The JB will smoke and stink, but you'll be able to flake it right off.
My Brother in law said he has used a propane torch and a wire brush, so I'll be trying that tomorrow. I'll let you know the results
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