I have an Alfa 2.5 V6 that I am making into a coffee table. It is completely disassembled, but I need to clean up the block, along with a few of the rods/Pistons so they look nice, as this will be in the house.
While I'm sure that purple power and a brush and lots of time will work ok, is there a better way? What would a machine shop do if I brought it there? I'd like it to shine up somewhat considering the use, not just be "clean".
http://karakullake.blogspot.com/2010/10/engine-block-coffee-table-complete.html
Zep Alum
NAPA sells an aluminum cleaner/brightener that works well: http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/CatalogItemDetail.aspx/Aluminum-Brightener-Cleaner-32-oz/_/R-MCR1458_0410678680 It does contain sulphuric and phosphoric acid so it is some pretty nasty stuff - use it outdoors with plenty of ventilation and wear protective gear. There are probably other similar products available at other auto parts stores.
blast it with walnut shells
Aluminum wheel cleaner, some contain a bit of acid.
The chemicals that machine shops are allowed to use now aren't much better than purple power and a scrub brush.
Try toilet bowl cleaner. Says right on the label, remover rust, lime, calcium, grime, and deposits. Leaves your bowl clean and shinning.
That ought to cover everything . . .
i believe purple power is not good on aluminum... check the label.
Aluminum spray paint.
Aluminum jelly or some kind of etch. Degrease then etch.
have a machine shop steam it?
The machine shop I use in Bensalem cleans blocks with something they described as like a big, industrial dishwasher. We had them clean the front cross-member of the ex's Volvo some years ago. A V-6 block would probably cost about $50 to have them clean.
Walnut shell media blasting will thoroughly clean the block and leave it shinny and brand new looking. It will basically look brand new without altering any of the surface finishes.
stuart in mn wrote: NAPA sells an aluminum cleaner/brightener that works well: http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/CatalogItemDetail.aspx/Aluminum-Brightener-Cleaner-32-oz/_/R-MCR1458_0410678680 It does contain sulphuric and phosphoric acid so it is some pretty nasty stuff - use it outdoors with plenty of ventilation and wear protective gear. There are probably other similar products available at other auto parts stores.
This ^
The NAPA stuff works wonders on cleaning bare aluminum. It's really just a weak acid solution so you could make your own, but it's easier for me just to buy the nice spray bottle. It also does a pretty good job of killing grass too.
I'd start with a pressure washer and some simple green, then NAPA aluminum brightener and then if it still isn't presentable I'd go for the walnut shell or glass bead blast.
Now you have to post pictures when the table is done.
Vapor blast then "A/C Coil/Condenser cleaner".
bentwrench wrote: Walnut shell media blasting will thoroughly clean the block and leave it shinny and brand new looking. It will basically look brand new without altering any of the surface finishes.
If you want a shiny block then do this or use glass beads. Due to the size of the block you will most likely have to find a commercial blasting shop to get this done. Any chemical used to clean the block will leave an etched surface and no where near as shiny as the two media above.
No, really, aluminum spray paint.
At work we always hit bare aluminum with aluminum paint. Bare aluminum may as well be a metallic sponge, any grime that gets on it soaks in and is really, really hard to clean off. If you hit bare aluminum with a coat of clear to seal the pores, it still looks like it was painted. So, the least-effort job would be to get it clean enough for paint to stick, then hit it with a few coats of aluminum paint, and then some clear to seal it.
(SHH don't tell anyone that this is really an iron block, aluminum Audi fives are rare as hen's teeth but they look proper)
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