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  Thread 288/30

Aluminum rim cleaners

Q. I wanted to know if there is anything that I could clean Aluminum rims that have salt damage done to them?

Hydrofluoric acid burns left and right hands, two views, burned index fingers

Never use HF anywhere unless trained!
If you do, you MUST have the antidote gel on hand for instant use!


Calcium Gluconate
for HF acid burns

calcium_gluconate
on eBay
or Amazon

(affil link)
Mark C
cleaning aluminum rims - Brockport, New York, U.S.
2004
publicly reply to Mark C

A. To clean and brighten aluminum rims simply apply hydrofluoric acid which is made for aluminum brightening.this is readily available at most auto part stores.use due care and rubber gloves on eBay or Amazon [affil links] as this acid is very aggressive on skin.

Anthony Hopcraft
auto yacht aircraft detailing - St Augustine, Florida, USA
publicly reply to Anthony Hopcraft

A. I'll certainly second that 'due care'. Hydrofluoric acid totally scares the bejeezes out of professional metal finishers.

Ted Mooney, finishing.com
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
publicly reply to Ted Mooney

A. I have a hard time believing one can buy hydrofluoric acid in an auto parts store. It must be diluted, or included as a constituent in a product, me thinks/hopes? That stuff will eat right through your skin, and continue to the bone. I would try using "Mothers" polish, but I'm not sure if it would remove the salt corrosion.

Mothers Polish
mothers_polish
on eBay
or Amazon

(affil link)
Marc Green
Marc Green
anodizer - Boise, Idaho
publicly reply to Marc Green

A. I've used Mothers and it works Great. The only problem is that it takes such a long time, and work. I think I'll try hydrofluoric acid one time. I'll let you all know how I think it works.......THANKS !

Joe Miller
- Fargo, North Dakota
publicly reply to Joe Miller



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