does anyone have any ideas about cleaning aluminum castings.rather than polishing i would like to achive a bright clean finish.

If the casting is off of the car and there are no other parts that will be attacked by the cleaner, go to the marine store and find some acid for cleaning the pontoons on the bottom of pontoon boats. This stuff works great, but is highly corrosive. Be careful. It will clean the alluminum to the bare metal.

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Benzmac:
1981 280GE SWB
1987 16V
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
SERVICE MANAGER FOR 14 BAY FACILITY
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 8 YRS
PARTNER IN MERCEDESSHOP.COM

Another method is to take your castings to a automotive machine shop and ask them to dip them for you. It is amazing how clean this gets the aluminum. BTW, what castings are you trying to clean up??

Hi Jeff,
Induction pipes,water pump housings,carb bodies etc.

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Try what I suggested. They can really get them pretty clean and shiny. But to keep them that way is another story. You will need to coat them with something ???, or stay on top of just good housekeeping under the bonnet..

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Jeff L
1987 300e
1989 300e
1987 BMW 325