RE: aluminum cleaning

["Avi Meron" <avi@cosmoslink.net>]

The best stuff there is (at least as far as I know, which is extremely
little!) is:
STRAHLDUR a German polish, good for everything (it says that on the tube).
I use it for alum. with great results, the only problem is I ran out of the
stuff............
Does anybody knows where I can find some,
Tried Imparts, no luck,
Avi

-----Original Message-----
From:	owner-quattro@coimbra.ans.net [mailto:owner-quattro@coimbra.ans.net]
On Behalf Of Sean_Ford@idx.com
Sent:	Thursday, March 11, 1999 6:26 AM
To:	quattro@coimbra.ans.net; pete1@jps.net
Subject:	Re: aluminum cleaning


To:   quattro
Interesting, I'm fighting this same problem with the triple clamp on my
1989 Suzuki Katana 600. I tried Simichrome, then went to a 3M fine grit
polishing wheel attached to my drill, then ended up with a medium/course
grit polishing wheel followed up by Simichrome. My triple clamp had 10
years of "stored outside" oxidation built up on it and it looked pretty f'n
gross, if you ask me. Now it almost looks like the dash panel of late '70's
Firebird Trans Am. The course grit polishing wheel WILL leave circular
marks in the aluminum that the fine grit polishing wheel simply cannot
remove.

My suggestion is to try the fine grit polishing wheel on an inconspicuous
area of an obscure alu part, follow it up with some metal cleaner/polisher
like Simichrome and see how you like it.

Now, about that alu paint that you mentioned, Pete. I'm interested in
this.. BIG TIME. I'm assuming that you are talking about the paint that has
actual aluminum content and a high heat rating of 1500 degF, such as that
being offered by Griot's Garage for a hideous amount of dough-ra-me. I've
searched high and low for a comparable can (aerosol or otherwise) of paint
that has the same 95% aluminum content without the $12.95 price + $4.95
shipping cost that Griot's is asking. Have you found a distributor of
aluminum paint that you could share with the list? I'd love to repaint the
Katana exhaust with the Bright Aluminum paint, because the flat black
I'm-really-a-gas-grill paint is just ugly.

Sean Ford
'92 Audi 100CS 5-spd 44k mi
'89 Suzuki Katana 600 16k mi <-escape vehicle
http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Downs/5528


Original Message----------------------
Date: Wed, 10 Mar 1999 20:28:02 -0800
From: Pete <pete1@jps.net>
Subject: Re: aluminium cleaning

  Samir Shah wrote:
  >
  > As some of you may be aware, both bays of my garage are occupied by
  cars
  > with dismantled engine compartments - the 635 is getting a head gasket,
  > and the new Audi is getting all rubber in the engine compartment
  > replaced while being serviced/debugged.
  >
  > So, while its all apart, I'd like to freshen up the aluminium parts -
  > intake manifolds, BMW head, valve cover, etc.
  >
  > What products/chemicals have you guys/gals in the concours set found
  > that will brighten up the aluminium, without destroying all the rubber
  > in the vicinity? So far, I've tried cleaning with Simple Green, a wire
  > brush, brake cleaner, but no luck - the aluminium just does not
  sparkle!
  >
  > All help appreciated. Thanks. Samir.


  I've used carb cleaner on the head and it looks great. But the front
  timing chain cover is not coming out very well. I will bead blast it
  tomorrow. Sometimes that works. My problem is that Alu will eventually
  oxidize and lose it's shine. I may try using Alu spray paint.

  Good luck

  Pete