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for Metal Finishing 1989-2025
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Safely Cleaning Aluminum Horse Shoes
Q. I am a hobbyist who works with aluminum horse shoes. I have tried several methods for cleaning them and feel there must be an easier way. I have used soap and scrubbed with a steel brush, sand in a concrete mixer, aluminum polish, Nevr-Dull ⇦ this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] , and was told recently to try an acid wash. The acid wash sites look a little to dangerous for my hobby. The shoes are 99% aluminum with a small amount of lead in the top. Thanks for any suggestions. I do this to support 5 old horses.
Carol S Hublarhobbyist - Goshen, Kentucky
2004
A. You can use next solution:
Dissolve 30 gms of bonami in 1 lit water.
Add a few drops of ammonia(25%).
According to Scientific American Cyclopedia of Formulas, New York 1910.( website www.thelitterbox.org/librum/i-sacof/337.gif)In this book you can find some other solutions for cleaning aluminum and other metals.
Goran Budija- Zagreb , Croatia
2004
Q. I am trying to make some special gifts to be given out at a wedding. I would like to take horse shoes and decorate them after they are cleaned. What would I use to clean not aluminum horse shoes but steel ones?
Thanks,
- British Columbia, Canada
2007
A. I weld horseshoe crafts for a side hobby, and I prefer the used horse shoes because they are so much cheaper. To clean them, soak them overnight in a bleach ⇦ bleach/sodium hypochlorite in bulk on eBay or Amazon [affil links] and water solution to remove the dirt buildup. After they are dried, you can use an angle grinder ⇦ this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] with what they call flap discs. This is very effective at making them look brand new. I am wanting to try to clean them with a wire wheel on an angle grinder. I bet that would be a great way as well.
RL Robertson- DFW, Texas
September 25, 2009
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