Search our quarter-million Q&As

Home of the finishing HOTLINE since 1989

-----

Chemical cleaning a dark deposit from surface of aluminium engine block casting

We have a number of engine blocks that need to be cleaned to remove a dark grey deposit from the cast surface.

We have tried 20% Nitric acid, 10% phosphoric acid, petroleum spirit, and toluol with limited success. The deposit could be a burnt on die lubricant as it feels a little greasy.

I need to organise the treatment of over 100 engine blocks to remove this stain but am at a loss as to what will work without attacking the cast iron cylinder sleeves.

Can you help

Graham Dodd
Automotive - Melbourne Victoria Australia
2005

---

Hello Mr Graham;

Use your nitric acid cocktail after swaying your blocks around in a solution of 50 - 100 gms per litre of Sodium Hydroxide for 20-60 seconds first and rinsing afterwards. This won't affect your steel Liners but will effectively etch the aluminium first.

Khozem Vahaanwala
Saify Ind

Bengaluru, Karnataka, India

2005

Sorry! Finishing.com is temporarily Read-Only.
Ted Mooney is retiring but I have several offers to take it over.
We're working hard to make sure we find it the best new home.

---

---