Aluminum Corrosion

Boeshield

The corrosion is actually oxidation. Depending on the severity you can use SOS pads, vinegar, sodium hydroxide. Loctite makes a jelly you put on and wash off. I've not used it but I saw the results a friend used and it was ok.

This looks like a very interesting product. $19 for a 12 oz spray can on Amazon. Would you mind sharing your experiences with it?

I have subsequently gotten some more information from the original owner. Turns out he had the unit stored under a shelf that had some drain cleaner on it. Apparently the container of drain cleaner ruptured and dripped on the machine which is what caused the damage / corrosion. I suppose you could call it oxidation, but that would be akin to calling stage 4 cancer a minor medical issue.

So, now, I will neutralize the acid with a slurry of baking soda and thoroughly clean the area.

The sodium hydroxide you mention is basically lye, which is a component of a lot of drain cleaners, so, I will avoid that. The Aluminum Jelly, by loctite, is basically phosphoric acid, as I mentioned above.

I think a lot of neutralizing, scrubbing and protecting is the best I will be able to do. Drain cleaner is nasty stuff.

Sounds like a good job and learning experience for one of the grand kids.

It did a pretty good job cleaning up the cases on a Harley that was on fire

So, you just sprayed it on the aluminum engine components and wiped it off? Or you had to do a bunch of scrubbing? Or, it had to soak for a while? Feel free to elaborate and let me know if there are question I have not asked but should.....

Thanks.

It took a little rubbing.

Thanks

Navel jelly is a bit stonger, more effective.

Greg

In addition to Boeshield mentioned by gfretwell, the following are also used in the aluminum aircraft world:

ACF-5

CorrosionX

Thank you very much!

Thanks for your input Greg.