Cleaning Aluminum

Joey One

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Mar 8, 2005
Messages
124
I have an old Evinrude Zephyr that I would like to clean-up. It is mostly unpainted aluminum that is dull and dirty.<br />I need some magic solution to spray on and rinse later; and get beautiful, new-looking aluminum.<br />Anyone?
 

CATransplant

Admiral
Joined
Feb 26, 2005
Messages
6,319
Re: Cleaning Aluminum

Here's a recipe for a homemade aluminum cleaner. There are also commercial products available, but a little elbow grease is going to be needed as well:<br /><br />1/4 cup cream of tartar<br />1/4 cup vinegar<br />1/4 cup baking soda<br />2 tablespoons soap flakes<br /><br />Mix cream of tartar and baking soda together. Add vinegar and stir to make a paste. Stir in soap flakes. Store mixture in a container with a tight-fitting lid. Rub small amount of the cleaner onto aluminum and scour with fine steel wool.
 

CATransplant

Admiral
Joined
Feb 26, 2005
Messages
6,319
Re: Cleaning Aluminum

By the way, that Zephyr is a cool, cool motor. It's probably the smallest 4-cylinder engine every produced commercially. If it's running, you have quite a nice collector's item. If it's not, it can be repaired, or will make a great decoration.
 

jim dozier

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jan 8, 2003
Messages
1,970
Re: Cleaning Aluminum

When you add 1/4 cup of baking soda to a 1/4 cup of vinegar you are going to get a lot of foam, stand back :eek: . Chemically sounds like circular logic. Maybe you're supposed to use the vinegar and then follow with the baking soda?
 

Mike Johnson

Cadet
Joined
Apr 4, 2005
Messages
25
Re: Cleaning Aluminum

"ivory snow" is a common soap flake, was widely used for laundry before detergents, still used by some for baby clothes, less irritating ...
 

okditch

Cadet
Joined
Sep 6, 2009
Messages
23
Re: Cleaning Aluminum

did you know steel wool will impregnate the aluminum with the steel and cause a faster galvanic reaction? a scotch brite pad may work better
 

Deltaridge

Cadet
Joined
May 25, 2009
Messages
17
Re: Cleaning Aluminum

If you are wanting to clean and protect the aluminum, you might want to try this product called "Simichrome".

It will make mill finish aluminum bright and shine. Only takes a very small amount and will go a very long way. Works on all metals. If you have a high speed buffer with a soft pad... Works even better!

It will take bluing off chrome headers. You can find it at some motorcyle shops or order it on line.
 

5150abf

Vice Admiral
Joined
Aug 12, 2007
Messages
5,808
Re: Cleaning Aluminum

There is no magic wand, if you want it to look nice you are gonna have to grease your elbows and get down to it.

Most of the spray on, wash off aluminum cleaners I have seen leave a streaky finish because the metal isn't oxidized the same every where.

I have seen polished boats and the look really cool as soon as you finish them, not so much after they are used, shiny polished aliminum takes alot of work to maintain so if you don't want to put in the time to keep it up I would go with a matte finish, better yet use the Scotch Brite and Cats formula.

Get some Scotch Brite super fine pads and plain water and start buffing in a straigh line front to back, this will grain the aluminum and make it look really nice and it last longer than a polish.

If you want to do it once get some Shark Hide protectant.
 

gene8084

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Sep 29, 2007
Messages
187
Re: Cleaning Aluminum

I have had good luck with 3M Marine Aluminum Restorer and Polish.
 
Top