How do you clean aluminium with acid ?

[ngt]

Ok i want to clean my aluminium for tig welding and besides the classic grind and weld technique.
I want to clean all the crevices etc with a special aluminium solution that cleans aluminium oxide.
What do you guys suggest or what do you use ?

 

[pidgeon chit welder]

I seem to recall that one of the lemon acidic toilet cleaners are OK to clean tread plate at the fair ground rides as it is cheap ..might be worth while experimenting if it only needs a surface clean . Rub it in with a long bristle brush and wash off with warm water.

If it is brushable and not too deeply ingrained use a clean stainless steel wire brush.

 

[Sam]

Go to your hardware store and get some caustic soda. Caution ! Always read the label. "that was for the benefit of the anorak's"

 

[ngt]

I seem to recall that one of the lemon acidic toilet cleaners are OK to clean tread plate at the fair ground rides as it is cheap ..might be worth while experimenting if it only needs a surface clean . Rub it in with a long bristle brush and wash off with warm water.
.

Well i have used acid for toilets on aluminium, it bubbles somewhat but does no major difference to medium-heavy oxidized places. And it bubbles the most on clean alu.
I was thinking of buying something over ebay

 

[hotrodder]

Some acids (and alkalis?) will attack aluminium more than aloxide depending on the concentration, reaction starts off slow until it's got through the oxide layer and then...

Various acidic and alkali Al cleaners here, expensive way to do it but the msds sheets should reveal the concentrations/blends of the chemicals already mentioned by Sam and Pigeon. You can get powdered citric acid from the chemists

Personally i stick with a degreasing tank, steam cleaner and mechanical oxide removal. Less messy unless you've room for an acid tank and if you can't get a carbide burr/stainless brush/scotchbrite in there a torch is unlikey to fit either