Brushing aluminum

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I have a new stainless steel brush for aluminum. Can I use a Drill and regular steel brush before the clean brush without contaminating it?ZZ
Reply:Nope.
Reply:What you buy new for aluminum stays for aluminum. I've also been told to only brush in one directionTeach Ag Mech - Mike At Home:Lincoln Electric AC225Miller Challenger 172Gas AxeWork:eclectic bunch of 90's vintage blue boxes
Reply:Is this for prep before a weld operation?If you use a "regular" brush, especially under power, you risk grinding new contaminant into the surface and/or embedding old contaminant deeper.  Not much percentage in that.
Reply:Let me explain. I have a steel wheel brush on a drill for initial cleaning "rust". I have a new stainless brush to finish cleaning.I thought i might start with the drill to get the rough stuff. Then use acetone then the clean stainless steel brush.This should work right?
Reply:The aluminum does not rust like steel.  DO NOT USE ANY BRUSH USED ON STEEL ON ALUMINUM.  The steel brush leaves little pieces of steel in the pores of the metal, it will rust and leave a mess later on down the road.  Not only that it can make a mess of your weld.Edit...DO NOT USE YOUR STAINLESS BRUSH ON STEEL....DO NOT USE A STAINLESS BRUSH USED FOR STAINLESS ON STEEL.Never use a steel brush on Aluminum or Stainless.....Keep all your brushes separate.Last edited by olcarguy; 09-19-2014 at 06:43 PM.Reason: CAUSE i FORGOTMeasure with a micrometre, mark with chalk,  cut with a torch.Never force anything...just get a bigger hammer.RoyOld Airco buzz box approx 1974Lincoln mig pack 15Lincoln 175 square wave1954 9" south bend lathe
Reply:A wire wheel will also pull and lift on the aluminum due to the shape of the wheel. It will leave it grainy and goose pimpled kinda like texture on it kinda like velcro which will rise through your welds. Remember, when you trace crap, you get crap. Avoid the crap. Correct prep goes a long way.I hate being bi-polar it's awsomeMy Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Reply:This was easy enough to find.https://www.youtube.com/results?sear...uminum+welding
Reply:Use very fine wire and a very light touch. You want your aluminum to turn white, not gray. Push too hard and you create more oxide than you can ever set out to clean off. I know a "self proclaimed" alu TIG "expert" that leans on his wheels and cant understand why his welds wont "flow".
Reply:Originally Posted by zitonLet me explain. I have a steel wheel brush on a drill for initial cleaning "rust". I have a new stainless brush to finish cleaning.I thought i might start with the drill to get the rough stuff. Then use acetone then the clean stainless steel brush.This should work right?