Alloy Cleaning/Polishing

[panhead]

I'm after some advice on alloy cleaning.

I've done a bit of metal polishing over the years particularly alloy rims and used a number different approaches, hand polishing with metal polish, wet & dry paper for a mirror finish and machine polishers but I've come up against a problem I can't solve.

The car has sat around for some time and the surface on the rocker covers and the outside of the carbie and intake manifold has stained.

You can see from the photos a covering of white spots which I think may be from the salt air.

I don't see the intake as much of a problem as I feel I can polish it enough where the spots won't be noticeable but the rocker covers and carbie is a concern.

I've tried a bit of metal polish which did nothing.

Has anyone got a solution to removing these types stains?

.

 

[Forg]

I don't think that's "staining", I'm pretty sure that's oxidisation ... ie. the alloy has "rusted".

I suspect that the way you'll need to deal with it is similar to how you'd need to deal with rust; might need to remove, wire-wheel or similar ... maybe even clear-coat afterwards (although I high-temp clear-coated my intake manifold & while it's not corroded it's got a rough finish & is still a PITA to keep clean).

Hey an aside - what's the "shaker" intake made of? Is it aluminium? I always assumed it was plastic, but that metallic highlight says otherwise!

 

[Not_An_Abba_Fan]

Genuine shaker scoops are aluminium, shitty reproduction ones are plastic.

 

[losh1971]

If its not a critical component like a carbi, I have used Septone Ali Acid on oxidation. Then you can work on the polishing side with metal polish. You can use it on TB's but you want to keep it from getting inside which can be done if you're careful. It will damage the paint though on those rocker covers so be careful.

 

[M#ick2183]

An old panel beater showed me to rub chrome with tin foil, used to clean up pushy/moto rims a treat!
Not sure if it will work on alloy but worth a try

 

[figjam]

There is a Vapour Blasting business in Newcastle, whose website gallery shows some really good results of cleaned alloy.
No idea of cost or real world results, just a lead for you, perhaps.

 

[Sandman]

I'd be taking to get hydroblasted. Would clean up perfectly and is fairly cheap too. Issue is it would involve disassembling the carby which is far from idea. I'd blast everything else (should be less than $100) and see try something like a brass wire wheel on the carby so it doesn't have to be pulled apart.

 

[Fu Manchu]

 

[warrick]

try some of these, they should work i think. try this on a small bit before doing all the bits.probably follow up with some meatal polish.
cheers
warrick

Dremel Scotch Brite Buffing Polishing Wheel 1" 25mm Mixed Sets Accessories

 

[ephect]

I've used this for alloy rims with the white oxidation and come up a treat.