Aluminium casting cleaning

[ronan]

What are you using to clean aluminium castings ? I have a Triumph Cylinder head i want to clean. It has dust embedded into the surface and its grimy rather than oily or greasy. Vinegar ? Citric acid ? I don't want to turn the casting black like i did before with washing powder. Are any of the aluminium wheel cleaners any use ?

 

[johnik]

alloy wheel cleaner ?, gets brake dust off

 

[brightspark]

bead blasting if the heads off

 

[ronan]

bead blasting if the heads off

Nah i don't want to go through the trouble and expense. I might buy some alloy wheel cleaner and use that and some scotch pads.

 

[Melvyn Best]

The liquid from boiled rhubarb leaves which contain oxalic acid is said to be very good for cleaning ally parts, bit early in the year though. You can buy stuff for cleaning corroded ally that’s probably a bit stronger than wheel cleaner

 

[Stueeee]

I used this stuff on a recent rebuild of a Rover V8 motor, was very effective at removing all the baked on gunge and oxidisation once the parts had been de-greased
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Aluminiu...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

 

[ronan]

I was out earlier getting some bread, popped into the discount shop and they have some aerosol car wheel cleaner for 1.50, so i've bought a few cans and will see what it does.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

I was out earlier getting some bread, popped into the discount shop and they have some aerosol car wheel cleaner for 1.50, so i've bought a few cans and will see what it does.

 

[RWD3M]

What are you using to clean aluminium castings ? I have a Triumph Cylinder head i want to clean. It has dust embedded into the surface and its grimy rather than oily or greasy. Vinegar ? Citric acid ? I don't want to turn the casting black like i did before with washing powder. Are any of the aluminium wheel cleaners any use ?

Are you married Ronan?

No?

Dishwasher then