What is the strongest solvent/cleaner that can be used on uncoated aluminum?

EBPcivicsi

EBPcivicsi

GOT PREP?
I showed up to polish a set of uncoated aluminum wheels, didn't know that they had *heavy* "gunk" on the insides. I managed to remove and polish one section with Mother's powerball+power metal, but it would have taken *all* night.



I was thinking wash the wheels, clay the gunk, then polish. The gunk in question definitely feels above surface.



What wheel cleaner do you guys use on uncoated aluminum. I know that #36 is mild enough, but I need something with some punch that will not harm uncoated aluminum.



Could I use a tar and wax remover(3M)? Any other type of solvent? Seems that a strong solvent would really spped things up



Thoughts?



Anyone have any *real* experience with this sort of thing?



TIA



EDIT** Here are the wheels:

http://www.ccwheel.com/files/wheelprofiles-model.php?id=505a
 
themightytimmah said:
Poorboy's S+R works pretty well, and Aluminum Brightener will take *anything* off uncoated aluminum, you've just gotta be careful with it.
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No problems using something acidic?



I just read that #36 is *not* recommended for uncoated aluminum.
 
ebpcivicsi said:
No problems using something acidic?
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I've got polished aluminum rims, and I use S+R without any problems. I wouldnt guarantee it on all aluminum rims, espicially after seeing the price tag on that set :eek:. With a set that pricey, maybe try a pressure washer with a narrow nozzle? If it's a tar-like substance, a good petrochemical solvent (decal remover, etc) should work with no problems.
 
Aluminum is kind of funny...there are things that are fine on uncoated aluminum that will eat anodize, conversion coating, and paint right off, while there are other things that will attack uncoated aluminum while leaving the anodize and paint alone. That's why all the confusion and confusing labeling about/on wheel cleaners. The right kind of acid cleaner should get that stuff off, as Percy and Timmah said.
 
Setec Astronomy said:
Aluminum is kind of funny...there are things that are fine on uncoated aluminum that will eat anodize, conversion coating, and paint right off, while there are other things that will attack uncoated aluminum while leaving the anodize and paint alone. That's why all the confusion and confusing labeling about/on wheel cleaners. The right kind of acid cleaner should get that stuff off, as Percy and Timmah said.
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Yeah, I am trying to locate that acid. :D
 
I called the manufacturer, he recommended the use of mineral spirits, kerosene, or even naptha. He also said to stay away from anything that had a high alkaline content.



I am thinking that the mineral spirits should do the trick....we'll see.
 
ebpcivicsi said:
I called the manufacturer, he recommended the use of mineral spirits, kerosene, or even naptha. He also said to stay away from anything that had a high alkaline content.



I am thinking that the mineral spirits should do the trick....we'll see.
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What was the outcome? :)
 
pssstue said:
What was the outcome? :)
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Wow, sorry I forgot to update!!





I ended up washing the wheels



Applying Mother's mag and aluminum polish with a MF applicator to a small section



Apply Mothers Power Metal AND Meguiars GC all metal polish (black bottle) and buff section with powerball



I then washed the wheels again to remove the residue (did not remove it section by section to save time)



Finally I applied one coat of NXT all metal polysh by hand to the entire surface, remove with MF



The "gunk" would smear around as I polished and was really a bear to remove.



Anyone know what this could be?

tn_IMG_1530.jpg


close up:

tn_IMG_1531.jpg


The face of the wheel was dull, but did not have the mystery gunk:

tn_IMG_1536.jpg


Here is how they turned out after about 2.5 hours of polishing:

tn_IMG_1537.jpg


tn_IMG_1544.jpg


tn_IMG_1546.jpg
 
DAM, they look good! :kewlpics

Are they scratched up much from the polishing? Man, what an improvement!!......Tom
 
ebpcivicsi said:
Anyone know what this could be?

close up:

tn_IMG_1531.jpg
Click to expand...



Maybe someone tried to clean the wheels, mistakenly grabbed the wrong sprayer (Silicone Dressing) and didn't rinse the backside during the process?!? A few months of kickin' it on the inside of the wheels might leave them looking like that.
 
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