kochevy67

I was wondering if anybody ahd any suggestions on cleaning the block before install. I currently have it on the hoist and want to clean it, it has white spots on it like normal aluminum does. The motor is an 06 and has under 10K on it. I also would consider painting it but wanted opinios on that as well. Once I put it in I want it to stay in. Thanks for the opinions.

Black FormulaLs1

iTrader: (10)

hell i wanna know too...my engine is just getting finished up and i have been thinking of painting it but dunno what color..or which paint...or even how to clean it safely...

S10xGN

iTrader: (11)

I bought 50# of walnut shell for my sand blaster to try... Will tape up all openings, put it on the engine stand, and tent it with some drum liners. Prolly a month or so from now...

Russ

LS1MCSS

iTrader: (18)

Get some of this, just don't get it on any painted areas. It will make the aluminum look almost new.
http://www.hollanderproducts.com/b52.html

kochevy67

The B52 stuff sounds fine but what about maintaining it once it is in the car? I was looking for something a little friendlier on painted surfaces.

Hans Grüber

iTrader: (2)

From reading the description, that product is a degreaser, I don't think it would remove oxidation.

1970-Cloned

iTrader: (1)

I used brake dry clean in the spray can. It worked pretty good. It will take paint clean off so be careful

70LS1Nova

I used a product called Zep a Lum...It's basically an acid for aluminum. After you rinse it off, it looks like the part has been bead blasted. Then, I sprayed Gibbs penetrant on it and after driving it almost daily, it still looks pretty good. If you want to paint it, first degrease it, then spray the Zep a lum, then paint it. I think zep a lum was made for aluminum trailers and trucks, but it makes anything aluminum look like new.

fast

iTrader: (24)

company I used to work for used zep products ... where'd you get the zep alum from?

LS1MCSS

iTrader: (18)

The B-52 is basically a weak acid also.

'JustDreamin'

I've heard of guys using oven cleaner to clean an alum block prior to installation.... Not sure how good a recommendation that is, but that's what I'd heard.

'JustDreamin'

alocker

iTrader: (10)

Anybody know a good place to buy ZEP-A-LUME E

.

LS1MCSS

iTrader: (18)

I have cleaned a lot of aluminum parts with oven cleaner. It won't remove any grease and will dull the aluminum. It's best not to use it on something that's easy to see.

LS1GMCTruck

iTrader: (2)

Homo Depot sells Zep products, but not all their products. Check your local store.

LS1GMCTruck

iTrader: (2)

Has a product called "CLR" been mentioned? Stands for Calcium, Lime & Rust, cleaner. Works excellent. Also an acid.

kochevy67

I tried simple green and it seems to work okay. I may try the Zep product just to see. Thanks for the opinions and advice. By the way your Nova looks great.

89 formula350

iTrader: (8)

I have used floor degreaser lots of times. it is a mild acid so the "trick" is to spray the part(s) then let them sit for just under a min. (if you leave it too long it ruins the aluminum and result is a tarnished part from the acid) anyway then you spray it off with a water hose and it looks darn near perfect. what works better is doing this to an eng. in the car and you run it while you hose it off. (let it warm up) the steam takes care of the rest, just hose it off a few times while it's running and you would think the parts are brand new. the stuff I use has never hurt the paint.

70LS1Nova

I bought a gallon of zepalum years ago, and since it's diluted 50:1, it has lasted a long time. I first bought it for cleaning my aluminum trailer, but have used it on a lot of aluminum parts. I did a little google search and can't seem to find it. You can call the Zep people at 1-877-428-9937 and see if they can help you out. If they don't have it anymore, you could probably use any aluminum cleaner that has the acid in it.