Clean whitish deposits from aluminium

Tea drinker

How to get the whitish deposits from aluminium parts? Car was idle for a long time and this was found after. I guess it's aluminium oxide? I had a go with a garden hose and it made some improvement, but it's not nearly right. Is there any cleaner which would be safe to spray around the engine bay that could help?

colm_mcm

is it just mill finish aluminium?

dharn

i imagine it is , had a car with a very dry engine ie no oil fumes etc lain up for a while and the aluminium parts, intakes, thermostat housings etc were pure white looked awful i sprayed wd 40 on them but it only made them look slightly better

colm_mcm

I'd imagine something like vinegar would be the job. or baking soda.

Used to make stuff out aluminium back in the day, used to get stuff called Sparkle, slightly abrasive foam spray that smelt like nappies.

Mack_1111

Not sure if this will work but did you try brasso, silver polish or any other type of metal tarnish remover?

Tea drinker

thanks, didn't try anything wild yet.... only sprayed on some shampooo and hosed it down after a few minutes. Only the loosests of stuff got dislodged, and parts of the intake, rocker cover and gearbox look like.. well you know the word I mean ;-)

Was hoping for something "spray on" that would reduce it to tolerable levels without damaging plasics or electronics etc.
The wd40 is a good idea, though I'd like to get some of it off then try wd40 or something like that as a finish.

CJhaughey

I would use a scotchbrite pad and a mix of cheap laundry detergent powder 20% and kerosene 80% and some water to make it into a paste.
This will degrease and clean metal parts and the kero stops it from rusting or corroding especially on bare ferrous metals.