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Old 06-03-2014, 05:07 PM
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spock505 spock505 is offline
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Blighty
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeremy5848 View Post
There are many ways to clean aluminum--everyone seems to have a [different] favorite. Degreasing comes first, as others have written. I found biodiesel to be a great solvent for oil and grease, followed by a thorough soak and scrubbing in very hot soapy water, hot water rinse, and dry in the sun.

After degreasing, I found that a hand-held fine wire brush or fine steel wool, and Mother's mag wheel and aluminum polish works well on rough surfaces such as the intake manifold. For smoother surfaces like the valve cover, use something softer, a rag or perhaps a green scrubbie, to avoid scratching. If the rag turns black, it means oxidized aluminum is being removed, which is what you want. The improved appearance should last several years. There are special paints that can be applied--I had a local firm quite me--but are quite expensive for anything other than a show car.

Again, there are many cleaning methods that have worked for others. This is jut what I've found works for me. If you do a little cleaning whenever you do routine maintenance or a project, you'll eventually have the entire engine compartment shiny.

Jeremy
Thanks Jerermy.

I had a good degree of success this evening using flat blade screw driver to very gently to lift off the lacquer. It flaked off reasonably easy in most places but I found stainless steel pad for nooks and crannies.

Agreed on the bio diesel as a solvent, best out there by far. I have 20 litres bought especially for this job. I have left a thin film over night on the stubborn engine bay parts, will clean off tomorrow.

Cheers,
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1996 Mercedes S124 E300TD - 129k - rolling restoration project -

1998 Mercedes W210 300TD - 118k (assimilated into above vehicle)
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