Aluminum

harasha

I suspect that this has been discussed before. What would be the best way to get surface dirt off an aluminum piece? Hot water soak? Oil soak?

ormandh

I would not use oil. Hot soapy water may work, but you need to use a hair dryer on low to dry the surfaces. I have heard that a hydrogen peroxide bath works, but I have never tried it.

I may try it out myself with some cull pieces and let you know. -Dan

cladking

Never let aluminum sit in water and avoid denatured alcohol. If you use isopropyl
be sure to use 91% rather than 70%. If it sits in water it will suddenly oxidize after
a fairly brief period.

Acetone is safest I believe.

Sapyx

If you try soap, use one of those fancy pH-neutral soaps. Regular soap is alkaline and just as corrosive to raw aluminium as acid.

Agree with trying acetone first.