Cleaning LS blocks
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 60
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Cleaning LS blocks 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.
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...
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
Russ
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
http://www.hollanderproducts.com/b52.html
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
http://www.hollanderproducts.com/b52.html
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11 Second Club
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh, PA
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.
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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.
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.
11 Second Club
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh, PA
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.
