cleaning aluminum intakes

[JChlupsa]

What ever you do make sure you request a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) when you buy any of the products. Stores are required by law to provide you with one upon request!! Dont just let them tell you that the small 1 paragraph wording on the side of the can is good enough. Its not!!!!!

[CamarosRus]

I have NOT tried the below myself, but read this elsewhere on net......

"A mixture of Chromic Acid and water will clean most aluminum surfaces up really well if used correctly. It will also help to protect the aluminum from corrosion too. Go to a chemical supply house and buy some Chromium Trioxide Chrystals. When mixing, ALWAYS PUT ACID INTO WATER and NOT the other way around! Be sure to wear eye protection such as and protective clothing of rubber or plastic when mixing any acid solutions together. Then put 7.5 fluid ounces of water into a beaker and carefully pour in .4 ounces of Chromium Trioxide Chrystals while stirring with a wooden stick or glass rod. This solution can be used on freshly machined aluminum surfaces or to treat mild corrosion. For areas of heavy corrosion, take a piece of plastic (plexiglass) and scrape the excess corrosion off and not damage the areas that are not corroded. The surface areas must be clean and free of oil or dirt before applying the solution. This solution mixture has a shelf life of about 30 days. Be sure not to dip in dirty cloths or dirty cotton balls into the solution repeatably as the removed corrosion absorbed in these will have a tendancy to kill the power of the fresh solution. When applying the solution onto the aluminum, allow the acid to stand for about 2 to 5 minutes or until it has stopped working (or bubbling), wash off with clear cool water to remove remaining acid and dry with an air hose or wipe clean with a clean cloth until dry."

Chuck S

[CamarosRus]

Dave from Iowa, If you look at the M-21 Tailhousing in above pics....I had that "TUMBLED" in Aluminum media, for a relatively short time. The media looks like pyramid shaped 1/2" Dia Alumninum pieces????. I also had ORIGINAL (not the newer design polished) LT-1 valve covers done the same way.
I WONT say they are "DEAD-NUTS" factory the same, but I gotta tell you they look as good as it gets.......I used a LIGHT glass beading first to remove any misc blemishes...
Chuck S

[CamarosRus]

Bill S, THE same Jeff Betz,indeed. He recently sold his WORLDS BEST 77' Z-28 & extremely impressive 02' Z-28.....and as you said changed direction with an older Chevelle 2 Dr wagon. I've seen pics of NEW 502/502 and Tremec 5-spd. Stand by for further details.....I stayed at Jeff's home during Woodward Ave dream cruise....
Chuck S

[MosportGreen66]

The intake on the Coupe was in good condition to begin with. Mild media blasting... then steel wool and WD40 cleaned it up real nice... The process has held up as well.

[P.J.]

Phosphoric acid and Nitric acid dip is the best nothing cleans aluminum better. I used it in the manufactoring of aircraft tooling for years. You can find a local aluminum
treatment company and ask if they will dip it for you.Those chemicals
are to be handled by pros and with the right equipment. Sand blasting your intake is not recomended as it is like adding sand in your gas tank use glass.
Peter

[hugger_69]

A buddy and I restored an original set of 69 Z covers just last Sunday and here is what we did to them. A light media blast with some real fine glass (worn out), then cut them with Triple 0 Steel Wool under the wash brush in a Varsol Bin. They were then washed down with Brake Clean and here is the end result. They look pretty darn close the factory finish if you ask me?



Graeme

[olredalert]

Chuck,

-------The wagon is a 69, therefore not a 2-door. It is one of the cleanest 69 Chevelles I have ever come aross, and will make a hell of a family "truckster". Cant wait to see the final outcome.
-------Are you planning a return engagement at Woodward?..........Bill S

[mrrec]

Charlie:
Don't send me anything - I have enough trouble getting my own stuff done!

I don't have a good source for the acids. Believe it or not, I had a bunch of that stuff that was in a building I bought years ago. It is nasty, nasty stuff though, as others have said. Noxious fumes and all.

I also have a drum of stuff (techno speak for I don't know what it is) that I bought at an alum foundry auction. It was presumably used for cleaning freshly cast parts and has some detergent-type properties and may be mildy acidic (the tip - it's in a plastic drum). It will brighten aluminum a little, too.

As for storage and disposal, call the EPA and OSHA and invite them over to see your chemical collection. I'm sure they'll want to see your checkbook, too. Really, the acids don't lend themselves to non-industrial use. I'd follow the advice of a post above and find someone who will dip it for you.

I know many have procedures they like and are happy with. More power to you.

Dave

[John Brown]

For years I've been cleaning aluminum intakes and transmissions with scotchbrite and bathroom tub and tile cleaners that contain weak phosphoric acid. I think aluma-prep does too. Just did a net search on phosphoric/nitric dip and came up with information on "electropolishing". Do the search on electropolishing, then call someone in your area that does anodizing. They may have some of the answers you're looking for.