General Tech Cleaning Aluminum ( Air Shock bodies )

[Greg]

Thought this was worthy of it's own thread.... in my Willys Crawler build, I mentioned I picked up a set of good, used Sway-A-Way air shocks. The 2.5's have an unsealed, lightly machined surface that looked pretty roached. They looked dirty, stained and nasty. I wanted to clean them up and found a product that has a great reputation in the airline industry, which uses a lot of aluminum. I found called BondRite C-IC 33 Aero. - http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catal...qtwv0RwUXwP3PJpKPH0JeRY1p6J9x16gaAsd8EALw_wcB

I bought 2 quarts, thinking I can use the product for other aluminum cleanup in the future. The BondRite C-IC 33 Aero is highly acidic and etches the aluminum, you're not supposed to let it dry on the surface. You hit with water to stop the etching process.

Here's what I started with-

And here's the difference it made!





While they're not in new condition, they looks so much better. The actual work too about 30 min per shock, I sprayed each shock 3 times and wiped them down with a Scotchbrite pad, then paper towels. After washing them with water and drying them, I polished them with Turtle Wax and a foam ball on a drill.... hoping the wax will seal the aluminum and make the finish last longer.

The 2nd 2.5 didn't clean up as well as the first, not sure what the difference was.

Anyhow, thought others may be able to use this info.

 

[Tonkaman]

Did you do anything to protect the anodized ends? Looks great!

 

[spaggyroe]

Wow, that's awesome Greg. Thanks for sharing, I've never heard of the stuff!

 

[Greg]

Did you do anything to protect the anodized ends? Looks great!

I was cautious to spray them down, but after running a towel soaked in the chemicals it didn't affect the anodized finish at all.

Wow, that's awesome Greg. Thanks for sharing, I've never heard of the stuff!

Figured it was worthy of it's own thread! Happy to share.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Those cleaned up nicely!

 

[mesha]

wow, those look great!

 

[Omgbecki]

That's really cool. I wonder why that other one didn't go so well. Looks like it was more rough to begin with

 

[WILDHAIR225]

If I use any bare aluminum on a build, like prerunner bumper skid plates, I will clear coat them keeps them from oxidizing. The last one I did lasted years and it was my daily for 2 winter's.

 

[Greg]

That's really cool. I wonder why that other one didn't go so well. Looks like it was more rough to begin with

Yeah, I think the other one had a deeper discoloration? Hard to say.... I have another trick left to try clean it up more, but it's messy. Waiting until I want to get into that.

If I use any bare aluminum on a build, like prerunner bumper skid plates, I will clear coat them keeps them from oxidizing. The last one I did lasted years and it was my daily for 2 winter's.

That's a damn good idea!

 

[Gravy]

Greg got me thinking.
My Kings were pretty sad looking so I used a strategy that works well for me on aluminum dirtbike motors.



Eagle One Etching Mag Wheel Cleaner.
Spray it on. Scrub with a scotchbrite pad. Wash off with water. After 3 times the shocks looks much better!

 

[Greg]

Looks great, Stratton! Same idea, really.

 

[Bart]

Yeah, I think the other one had a deeper discoloration? Hard to say.

That one was probably closer to a heat source making the aluminum more porous.

 

[Greg]

That one was probably closer to a heat source making the aluminum more porous.

That sounds logical.

 

[Gravy]

Looks great, Stratton! Same idea, really.

Thanks!
I did my aluminum driveshaft and front Bilsteins too. Got to shine her up for the Coats for Kids car show this weekend.