Letter 26918

Removing concrete from aluminum finish  

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I recently purchased a commercial property. The building is a 1929 gas station with a lot of style. I have been in the process of restoring the building for my wife to use as a retail shop for selling quilting services and supplies. I have had new dark bronze aluminum store front windows installed. The crew that was pouring the concrete around the front of the building did not protect the aluminum and I have a small amount of concrete splatter on the metal portion of the windows. I would like some advice concerning how to remove the concrete without damaging the aluminum finish.

Thanks,

Steve Clark
consumer - Floyds Knobs, Indiana

Wet concrete is very caustic, and one thing that aluminum can't bear is caustic. So if you remove the concrete spatter, you'll probably find discoloration and destruction of the anodized finish beneath it. Try dilute hydrochloric acid (observing the safety precautions like protective gloves [link is to product info at Amazon] and goggles [link is to product info at Amazon] ) on a small inconspicuous area and see what you've got.

Ted Mooney, P.E.  finishing.com Brick, New Jersey

I would like to remove concrete particles binded in the used Aluminium centering sheets.
This has to be done in huge volume on regular basis. Can any one suggest a feasible , cheaper method for cleaning the used aluminium centering sheets for removal concrete residue.

Ravi Shankar C
enginering consultant - India