Easy button for removing aluminum oxide, salt, calcium deposits, whatever the berk this is?

Any thoughts?  I can get a decent amount with tools and hand work, but I'd prefer to spend my time doing other things.

CLR works well but I'm not sure what it will do to the metal

CLR will get rid of the corrosion, but the aluminum will be badly stained.

Boil it in some vinegar?

In reply to Streetwiseguy :

Water pump housing that is never seen, dont much care what it looks like so long as it is clean. 

I tried boiling it for about an hour in a 50/50 mix of household white vinegar and water.  No real difference I could see. 

What about putting it in carb cleaner?

NAPA also sells an aluminum cleaner. (spelled out in a thread a few weeks ago)

Purple Frog (Forum Supporter) said:

NAPA also sells an aluminum cleaner. (spelled out in a thread a few weeks ago)

That's what I would try.

In reply to Purple Frog (Forum Supporter) :

I already soaked it in one of those 1 gallon carb cleaner buckets for long enough to strip the oil and grease off.  It didn't touch the deposits.  I'll see if I can swing by NAPA later today.  Know which thread it was?

I know simple green will tear up aluminum- isn't it purple power that works good? 

Soda blast?

Mndsm said:

I know simple green will tear up aluminum- isn't it purple power that works good? 

I scrubbed all the aluminum engine parts on the DSM with Purple Power, but I didn't soak anything in it. I didn't do anything to neutralize is or rinse it off afterwards either though, and there's been no etching or other problems. 

Mndsm said:

I know simple green will tear up aluminum- isn't it purple power that works good? 

PP contains ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, last I checked.  At high enough concentration it can eat copper and aluminum. 

The PP website FAQ specifically says not to use it on stainless (which can contain copper) or aluminum. 

1988RedT2 said:

Soda blast?

I dont have access to any blasting stuff right now due to the virus.  

Mr_Asa said:

In reply to Purple Frog (Forum Supporter) :

I already soaked it in one of those 1 gallon carb cleaner buckets for long enough to strip the oil and grease off.  It didn't touch the deposits.  I'll see if I can swing by NAPA later today.  Know which thread it was?

It was a similar thread, asking about how to clean up aluminum parts.  I was the guy who posted the info on NAPA aluminum brightener, this is the link to their website:  https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/MCR1458  It comes in a spray bottle, it should be on the shelf along with their various other chemicals and cleaners.

Since it hasn't been suggested, do you have an ultrasonic cleaner?  That might do the trick along with the cleaner.

Mndsm said:

I know simple green will tear up aluminum? 

I don't know how well it will work on this part, but just a hopefully-handy bit of info: the Aircraft simple green is aluminum safe, and per contacting them, is available differently packaged/named:

Extreme Simple Green Aircraft & Precision Cleaner is available through Home Depot’s website in case quantities. Each case contains 4 gallons. This would be the best and most economical way to purchase the product because shipping is free. If you are looking for a product that is available on shelves, you could also use the retail version of the aircraft cleaner Simple Green Pro HD Heavy Duty Cleaner. This product is available at Lowe’s and Home Depot.

In regards to the difference between Extreme Simple Green Aircraft and Extreme Simple Green Motorsports, the Motorsports Degreaser is a ready to use solution (1:3 dilution ratio). The only difference between Extreme Simple Green Aircraft and Precision Cleaner and the Pro HD is labeling, packaging and an added colorant.

11GTCS said:

Since it hasn't been suggested, do you have an ultrasonic cleaner?  That might do the trick along with the cleaner.

I keep meaning to buy one and keep forgetting until after I spend my monthly parts/tool allowance. Gonna have to fix that soon.

I think this might be the best solution.