Clean aluminum heads to look like new
10-23-2019, 02:54 PM
#1
Staging Lane
Thread Starter
Clean aluminum heads to look like new I'm trying to clean up my aluminum heads to make them look like new, there is burnt on oil that i'm struggling to get off. I'm wondering, what is the best way to make aluminum heads look new again? I read somewhere that someone soaks them in E85 for a few days and it removes everything, has anyone tried that, is that safe with assembled heads?
10-23-2019, 10:40 PM
#2
I'm trying to clean up my aluminum heads to make them look like new, there is burnt on oil that i'm struggling to get off. I'm wondering, what is the best way to make aluminum heads look new again? I read somewhere that someone soaks them in E85 for a few days and it removes everything, has anyone tried that, is that safe with assembled heads?
10-23-2019, 10:45 PM
#3
Staging Lane
Thread Starter
10-24-2019, 07:31 AM
#6
Staging Lane
Thread Starter
Yeah I'm pretty disappointed as well. The block came back with rust on the decked head surfaces as well because they didn't seal anything with wd40 while it sat. Not a lot of options in northern MN though. I suppose I'll have to start taking my stuff to Minneapolis in the future.
11-02-2019, 07:27 PM
#7
TECH Enthusiast
Plenty of things to clean aluminum with. Straight dawn detergent & stiff scrub brush can make aluminum shiny.
Then you have your acid type aluminum cleaners. You can get spray ac coil cleaner from hardware store. Acid can give a little bit of a dull white finish, though it will boil crap out of the pores.
Also a fine rotary wire brush on a drill can be great for cleaning up cast finish aluminum heads, leaving you with fresh aluminum surface.
Just a few options... Is engine still out of car? Personally I'd first scrub the crap out of the whole thing with dawn detergent. Let it sit on heads a little & repeat a few times. this will also get rid of oils . Then fine wire brush heads if needed & if block is iron, wire brush it , wipe down with alcohol & spray paint.
Get a face shield if using power wire brush, wires in your skin sting a little.
Then you have your acid type aluminum cleaners. You can get spray ac coil cleaner from hardware store. Acid can give a little bit of a dull white finish, though it will boil crap out of the pores.
Also a fine rotary wire brush on a drill can be great for cleaning up cast finish aluminum heads, leaving you with fresh aluminum surface.
Just a few options... Is engine still out of car? Personally I'd first scrub the crap out of the whole thing with dawn detergent. Let it sit on heads a little & repeat a few times. this will also get rid of oils . Then fine wire brush heads if needed & if block is iron, wire brush it , wipe down with alcohol & spray paint.
Get a face shield if using power wire brush, wires in your skin sting a little.
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11-02-2019, 10:48 PM
#8
Staging Lane
Thread Starter
Plenty of things to clean aluminum with. Straight dawn detergent & stiff scrub brush can make aluminum shiny.
Then you have your acid type aluminum cleaners. You can get spray ac coil cleaner from hardware store. Acid can give a little bit of a dull white finish, though it will boil crap out of the pores.
Also a fine rotary wire brush on a drill can be great for cleaning up cast finish aluminum heads, leaving you with fresh aluminum surface.
Just a few options... Is engine still out of car? Personally I'd first scrub the crap out of the whole thing with dawn detergent. Let it sit on heads a little & repeat a few times. this will also get rid of oils . Then fine wire brush heads if needed & if block is iron, wire brush it , wipe down with alcohol & spray paint.
Get a face shield if using power wire brush, wires in your skin sting a little.
Then you have your acid type aluminum cleaners. You can get spray ac coil cleaner from hardware store. Acid can give a little bit of a dull white finish, though it will boil crap out of the pores.
Also a fine rotary wire brush on a drill can be great for cleaning up cast finish aluminum heads, leaving you with fresh aluminum surface.
Just a few options... Is engine still out of car? Personally I'd first scrub the crap out of the whole thing with dawn detergent. Let it sit on heads a little & repeat a few times. this will also get rid of oils . Then fine wire brush heads if needed & if block is iron, wire brush it , wipe down with alcohol & spray paint.
Get a face shield if using power wire brush, wires in your skin sting a little.
11-03-2019, 06:50 PM
#10
11 Second Club
iTrader: (3)
Good cleaning agents and old fashioned elbow grease if your the DIY type.