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Cleaning aluminum after chem-filming

I have a customer that requires their parts to be chem-filmed clear and free from fingerprints. The appearance is cosmetic. What is the best way to go about cleaning off the fingerprints without damaging the finish.

Jeremy L [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]
- Vista, California

Prevention is the best way. Most surface finishers require their workers to wear cotton gloves and handle the parts by the edges.

Dado Macapagal
- Toronto, Ontario

Amazingly enough, fingerprints can be extremely difficult to clean, some peoples sweat is very acidic. The saying "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" comes to mind. It is S.O.P. in my plant that finished parts be handled with gloved hands. I would first try a very mild alkaline cleaner..that should do the trick. This is, of course, assuming that the prints are happening AFTER your coating process, as I'm assuming that you are removing any prints that may be on the parts, during your pretreatment process prior to chem-film.

Marc Green
anodizer - Boise, Idaho

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