Secret Method of Cleaning Aluminum Parts?

[idriveafordranger94]

I'm getting ready to put my Ranger's 4.0L back together after doing an upper engine rebuild. After organizing the parts in the corner of the garage, I noticed how dirty they are. I keep my truck and motor spotless, so this obviously annoyed me. I am wondering if there is a secret method to clean the aluminum parts until they look new again. I was thinking of soaking them in the solvent tank at work and scrubbing the crap out of them until they came clean, but if you guys have any other method that work better, I would be glad to hear it. Also, is cleaning the alternator with the same method "safe" for it? Thanks everyone!

 

[martin]

Dishwasher. Just make sure the wife is not at home while you do it.

 

[mn_smokeater]

I'm getting ready to put my Ranger's 4.0L back together after doing an upper engine rebuild. After organizing the parts in the corner of the garage, I noticed how dirty they are. I keep my truck and motor spotless, so this obviously annoyed me. I am wondering if there is a secret method to clean the aluminum parts until they look new again. I was thinking of soaking them in the solvent tank at work and scrubbing the crap out of them until they came clean, but if you guys have any other method that work better, I would be glad to hear it. Also, is cleaning the alternator with the same method "safe" for it? Thanks everyone!

altenator id prolly want to keep that free of anything that shouldnt go in it like water and dirt carried by it and dried out into it.

maybe a toothbrush and a pasty type cleaner you could scrub on and wipe off with a rag

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Why does oven cleaner come to mind? If you try it, test it on someone else' parts first

Richard

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Solvent tank works decent for parts but it will not get them really shiny nor keep them that way.

You don't want to stick an alternator or starter in a solvent tank.

 

[COPPERHEAD85]

For stuff like intakes and brackets I use aluminum wheel acid,get it at napa.
50/50 mix with water.

 

[straycat]

Just go to your local parts store and find a good aluminum cleaner and read what it says on how to clean the parts. Left on too long any cleaner will pit aluminum. I use Mother's Aluminum polish to make my stuff shine. I have the wheel from Mothers to speed up the cleaning and it is so easy to keep all my stuff clean as well.

 

[triumphrider-1]

For stuff like intakes and brackets I use aluminum wheel acid,get it at napa.
50/50 mix with water.

That or the bottle of Aluminum Brightener, works well.

 

[4.0B2]

http://www.boatownerswarehouse.com/browse.cfm/4,6579.html

alumabrite... works great. mix it for aluminum, use it straight on steel. its good stuff.

 

[Captain Ledd]

Powerwash them. Local DIY car wash will work if you don't have one.

Or, put them in the oven at 300-350°F or so (again, while the wife isn't home) and sand blast them. if you have that capability that is.

You can also bake them and power wash them. Baking them will remove residue, varnish, and oil goo and turn it into flaky easily removable fluff.

 

[Ranger44]

I had always used a toilet bowl cleaner. Cheap and effective. My aluminum cleaning is usually a 4 step process.

1). Scrap gunk off

2). Engine degreaser, scrub, Powerwash

3). Toliet Bowl cleaner let set a little while

4). scrub...powerwash again.

Usually leaves it pretty damn clean for under $10.

 

[RustedRanger]

I had some stuff called Wenol that I bought from Summit racing,it works really good and doesnt remove any metal. There are two kinds,if I remember right one is stronger and the other is weaker but helps protect the metal. It wouldn't be that good for cleaning off grease and such but good for cleaning bare metal and giving it a good shine.

 

[Mark_88]

Dishwasher. Just make sure the wife is not at home while you do it.

I'm sure more than one happy marriage has been sent to the divorce courts over this sort of thing...

I was going to suggest sandblasting...but that is a bit extreme...I had my rims done and then just painted them over with rattle can blue...they still look like new rims...

 

[4.0B2]

la's totally awesome- works well to.
http://www.amazon.com/Totally-Awesome-Purpose-Concentrated-Degreaser/dp/B0017KT3IM?tag=959media-20
i get mine at dollar tree

 

[shane96ranger]

Simple Green and a Scotchbrite pad work for well for me. Made my valve covers look brand new on the Stang.

http://www.simplegreen.com/products_all_purpose_cleaner.php