Chemical cleaning of alloy parts

Discussion in 'Engines' started by Brian.G, Jun 21, 2010.

  1. Brian.G

    Brian.G Forum Member

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    Ive done a few and I normally bolt in nylon plugs under caps to protect Journals. I like to be careful though...
    For the lifter bores I slide in plugs also.
    Im sure you could use some sort of barrier cream, that caustic wont eat too...(cant think of any)
    Im not going to say if dipping unprotected would effect things, I doubt it would really, but Im not saying either way.

    For nitric de-smut ALL steel items must be removed. Dont forget the spring perches, they can stick there un noticed sometimes.
     
  2. tshirt2k

    tshirt2k Forum Junkie

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    Glad this thread popped up. Couldn't find much info on the net about this.:thumbup:
     
  3. walkinginperu Forum Member

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    Cheers, i've got a spare cylinder head and the g/f works as a chemistry researcher so i'll give it a go!:thumbup:
     
  4. oldnick

    oldnick Paid Member Paid Member

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    Holy thread resurrection Batman!

    Having cheerfully bought the scabbiest engine mounts in the land I went to buy some nitric acid, nope not going to happen.
    Turns out that it can be used to make explosives, and as such can't be bought by plebs like me.

    So, do we have any chemists in our midst who can suggest alternative chemicals to remove the smut from the alloy?
     
  5. Tristan

    Tristan Paid Member Paid Member

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    Surely by now, there's someone local doinf vapour blasting?
     
  6. oldnick

    oldnick Paid Member Paid Member

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    Where's the fun in that? Although it would sort out the issue.

    In the meantime I've bought a cheapo soda blasting gun, see if it's any use at the weekend.
     
  7. dodgy

    dodgy Paid Member Paid Member

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    Red diesel? cheap and reasonable for cleaning, also good for painting sheds, modern creocote doesn't quite cut it for me.
     
  8. oldnick

    oldnick Paid Member Paid Member

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    Ye gods, a drop of normal diesel stinks, the wife wouldn't let me back in the house!
     
    dodgy likes this.
  9. dodgy

    dodgy Paid Member Paid Member

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    I'm very lucky, my wife when we went on our first date at the science museum in Manchester told me she loves the smell of oil and old things, so ticked the boxes :)
     
  10. bootsie Paid Member Paid Member

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    I've used RaceGlaze AluBright with some success on mucky inlet manifolds.
    AluBright Deoxidiser (500ml) RG71-500 (raceglaze.co.uk)
     

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