Removing corrosion from aluminum?

[stretch]

Anyone have an easy way to remove light corrosion/ scale on an intake and plenum. I purchased an explorer engine from Minn. and I guess the salt left a light corrosion on everything. I know I can use a wire brush, but call me lazy, I'm looking for something easier. Maybe a spray?
Thanks

 

[BroncoJAK]

Mag wheel cleaner. Some household bathroom cleaners do a good job.

 

[73stallion]

want to borrow my powerball?

 

[scottmcwms]

Anyone have an easy way to remove light corrosion/ scale on an intake and plenum. I purchased an explorer engine from Minn. and I guess the salt left a light corrosion on everything. I know I can use a wire brush, but call me lazy, I'm looking for something easier. Maybe a spray?
Thanks

A wire brush will scratch the crap out of it. If you want it to shine then check out the buffing products at Home Depot or www.eastwoodco.com. Aluminum will just oxidize again when you finish cleaning it so you need to seal it with something if you want to keep the shine. I would think just a regular clear coat would do fine.

Scott

 

[Labbster]

I cleaned the crap out of mine and then bought some of the high temp rattle can paint in aluminum color and like the way it turned out.

 

[BroncoJAK]

Finally remebered the bathroom cleaner I used to remove the rust from an axle housing "Sno-Bol". Sprayed it on let it set for about an hour and rinsed it off.

 

[drscotch]

scotch-brite pads and acetone work great for prep before you TIG weld Aluminum.

 

[stretch]

Thanks for the replies. I guess that I can't get away from using some elbow grease. The scotch bright pads and acetone sounds like the best route to go. I am planning on either clear coating or painting them after a good cleaning.

 

[natureboy300]

I took my valve covers down today to get powder coated. They are nice polished set and aslo have some slight corrosion on them. They offer a powder coat that looks just like polished aluminum so I was gonna go with that. The guy quoted me 150.00 which was alot more than I was expecting, I mean hell I could buy a new set for that. The guy down there said that I do polish them up that it will just happen again in a short time, and once they are polished he said the clear coat stuff wont stick to it.
Anyone here know if they sell CC in a rattle can? and if so have you ever used it on polished aluminum with any success?

NB

 

[tejayandtina]

I've seen pics of the Mustang intakes that were bead blasted to remove that light corrosion stuff. Looks like it comes out pretty good. I don't know if they were sealed afterwards though.

 

[ken75ranger]

The guy down there said that I do polish them up that it will just happen again in a short time, and once they are polished he said the clear coat stuff wont stick to it.
Anyone here know if they sell CC in a rattle can? and if so have you ever used it on polished aluminum with any success?
NB

He's right. clear won't stick to polished aluminum. You can get aluminum sealer though.

 

[mag409]

You could powder coat it with clear powder after polishing.

 

[stretch]

Just thinking out loud. What about POR 15? They have a product called metal ready and an aluminum colored coating. Anyone ever use this on alum? Would the prep take care of the corrosion and ready it for paint? Is there any issue with painting the intake?

 

[pahoughton]

Just thinking out loud. What about POR 15? They have a product called metal ready and an aluminum colored coating. Anyone ever use this on alum? Would the prep take care of the corrosion and ready it for paint? Is there any issue with painting the intake?

I just painted my upper EFI intake with Por Engine Enamel. I did NOT use the metal ready because it is cast and already has plenty of 'bite'. I just cleaned it with the Marine Clean and then sprayed it. I chose the Engine Enamel so the intake would match the block. I would think the Aluminum colored coating would be fine.