Triumphrat

dirtntarred · 06-01-2005

Anybody have any good tips on cleaning the aluminum castings, i.e. front wheel backing plate, cases, etc.? I have glass beaded heads in the past and at first they look great but the newly exposed pores are much more susceptible to staining than the original surface. I have also tried plain old hot water and mild detergent - not bad but the outcome is not as good as I think it can be. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Justin

Slinky · 06-02-2005

Battery acids works good for cleaning up. Just keep it away from paint.

It will leave a matt finish so you would still need to polish after if you want your alloy to gleam.

Or you could use wet & dry paper. Depending on how bad it is start with a coarser grade and work up to 1200 grade.

dirtntarred · 06-02-2005

Thanks Slinky,
I have never heard of the battery acid technique. I will give it a shot.

jimballard · 06-02-2005

You could also try some ot the spray on mag wheel cleaners. The so-called mag wheels of today are aluminum and the only thing you'll have to do is re-polish the polished aluminum if you get any on it.

Works for me: Jim

eyeballjones · 06-02-2005

If you are talking about cleaning disassembled pieces try PBW.
Powdered Brewery Wash by Five Star. You can get it at any Home brewery supplier or on line.

I just soaked a BSA A65L head and except for some of the baked on carbon in the combustion chambers it cleaned up like new. All the old oil stains in the aluminum casting disappeared.
I am really impressed by this stuff. It is also ecologically safe. You just dump it down the drain. You mix it at two to four ounces per gallon of water.
1 lb. cost me ten bucks.

Allan

panda · 06-03-2005

Pre soaped Brillo pads, or failing that wire wool and -very- soapy hot water

steer clear of the acid ?????

dirtntarred · 06-03-2005

Weird but cool - I'm going to give the PBW a whirl. Maybe make my own beer to top it off. Thanks for the tips.
Justin

DAGAD · 06-04-2005

Go with Panda, NO ACID. Also DO NOT GLASS BEAD BLAST :hammer:
A stainless wire brush and a small amount of wd40 work wonders on tuff staines.
I like the idea of the brewers wash. Keep us posted. Roy

Slinky · 06-04-2005

Quote:

On 2005-06-04 05:34, DAGAD wrote:
NO ACID.

battery acid is dilute enough not to do any damage. I have had good results with it. It works.

Not much use unless you have an old battery laying around though.

okiecityflash · 06-05-2005

If you use pbw please post results. It sounds as it might be an answer to prayer. thanks