Friend has blackened a bare aluminium pan by using oxiclean on it. Now my chemistry days are long past me. IIRC aluminium can be changed in colour by various things, but for the life of me, I can't remember what turns it back to that dull grey that looks like ally.
Can anyone help please.
Dave
Angle grinder?
Or, new for 2010: Pressure washer. ;-)
I would try some steel wool on it and if it restores it then get a polishing kit for aluminium. If its a chemical change you might have problems though.
Wire wool and elbow grease.
Careful using steel wool on a softer metal such as Al? Same warning about using raw steel wool to scrub stainless steel. Small bits of steel get embedded in the surface and then rust! Maybe try a stainless steel scrubber (ss. steel wool).
Cook some rhubarb or other acidic fruit in it, but don't eat it.
"Cook some rhubarb or other acidic fruit in it, but don't eat it." Did that years ago with motorcycle engine cases and they came up lovely and shiney even the insides that had discoloured with years of being covered in hot oil.
Trevor Smith
Get a Brillo pad. Dampen Brillo pad. Rub at pan until clean and shiny.
Yes, it's that difficult.
Another bloody keyboard to clean up, I didn't expect that :-)
Dave
That was in the back of my mind, but I couldn't remember what caused to to go black what to boil in it to take away the black.
Thanks
Dave
I see you missed the earlier post that warned about using that method in case some of it got embedded in the aluminium.
Dave
If the cooking of something acidic doesn't work then I will recommend he uses Scotch brite made by the 3 M's company.
Thanks all.
Dave
Just tell them it is now Anolon.
I see you believe that old cobblers.
Brillo pads were designed for polishign aluminium pans. They've worked at it ideally for generations. Of course people younger than 30 don't have a clue so they make up silly scare stories.
Not eating rhubarb at all is the best thing to do with the stuff....
Don't expect any sympathy from me. My all-singing, all-dancing Logitech keyboard still hasn't recovered from a serious dousing with cholesterol-reducing yoghurt.
(Tesco's own brand. Nothing but the best.)
It's OK. A small application of Steve Firth Brand* extra virgin olive oil will soon cure it.
*Available in all UK branches of Aldi and Lidl.
That's what I say to SWMBO but she still keeps growing the stuff. The black in the pan is I suppose Aluminium oxide so any acid should dissolve it e.g. lemons.
Isn't aluminium oxide white?
Apparently so. My mistake.
Have something to add? Share your thoughts — no account required.
Ask the community — no account required