Aluminum Cleaner???

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Well I am doing some aluminum welding and I am having a little trouble getting the aluminum clean enough. I have heard of a liquid cleaner that you can spray on or dip your aluminum in before you weld it. Anybody know where I can buy it or what it is called?Thanks
Reply:Originally Posted by bellinoracingWell I am doing some aluminum welding and I am having a little trouble getting the aluminum clean enough. I have heard of a liquid cleaner that you can spray on or dip your aluminum in before you weld it. Anybody know where I can buy it or what it is called?Thanks
Reply:^^ perfect. ^^ A stainless wire wheel attached to a cordless drill should do the trick.
Reply:SS brushes work well , I'm a big fan of Scotch Brite for cleaning.I don't use Acetone. Attached ImagesA good guess is better than a bad measurement
Reply:Oh what a mess! Attached ImagesA good guess is better than a bad measurement
Reply:The spray stuff you were talking about is AC coil cleaner found at pretty much any heating and plumbing place.  It is phosphoric and hydrofluoric acids (I think) it'll burn you if ya get it on you.  Like these other guys said, you don't need it but it does come in handy cleaning up anything aluminum.  I done my pontoons with it and it will kill grass DewayneDixieland WeldingMM350PLincoln 100Some torchesOther misc. tools
Reply:Hey Brett, is that red belt sander a Suhner? We just got some of there stuff and love it. Yup
Reply:Greased Lightning spray cleaner has sodium hydroxide in it that clean aluminum and will even remove thin anodizing.TeddCoHTP Microcut 400 & Invertig 160DC  Smith Dual Guard MD-510 OA Rig  Lincoln SP135+  Hobart Stickmate LX 235/160
Reply:Originally Posted by BurnitHey Brett, is that red belt sander a Suhner? We just got some of there stuff and love it.
Reply:I was under the impression you couldnt use a power sander on aluminum because it would leave deposits of the sandpapaer in the aluminum?Really old (&faithful) Lincoln SA-250 Diesel, &Longevity 200P
Reply:Originally Posted by WS6HUMMERI was under the impression you couldnt use a power sander on aluminum because it would leave deposits of the sandpapaer in the aluminum?
Reply:Dynaflux makes a nice aluminum cleaner. I keep it in stock. Seems to me its about $9 a quart. If its really nasty stuff, (like a greasy bellhousing) I use this with a dedicated stainless brush, then brush it again with water, and another brush before I weld it.. I've had customers buy it for wheels, pontoons etc.. It works well, but will damage the clear on wheels, if its not already shot.. Heres the link to Dynafux's page on it.. http://www.dynaflux.com/pages/productpages/cr781.html
Reply:Originally Posted by RojodiabloIf the sandpaper is aluminum oxide, you may well have oxide ground into the parent material. That is why it is shied away from. But in reality, it really does not interfere with 98% of normal welding aluminum, and it beats leaving heavy oxide layers on the material. I will from time to time use sandpaper on old sheet or tube that has been outdoors for a year or so; it cuts through the heavy chalk and gunk fast. Then a shot with a wire brush and I am good to go.
Reply:I have had trouble in the past using power brushes also.  We were using stainless brushes, and by brushing too much, it appeared that small particles of stainless would become embedded into the aluminum, causing it to weld horribly.Most stainless brushes are a very crappy 304 grade.  I've seen some of them rust.
Reply:I haven't tried any serious aluminum welding yet, but my favorite degreaser is Electric Motor Cleaner I get from the auto parts store.  It comes in a spray can, washes away anything greasy or gooey, evaporates quickly and the best part is it is NON FLAMMABLE.  A shot or two and a quick wipe with a clean rag should take care of the surface oils and grease.Use only in well ventilated area, not for huffing    -MondoMember, AWSLincoln ProMIG 140Lincoln AC TombstoneCraftsman Lathe 12 x 24 c1935Atlas MFC Horizontal MillCraftsman Commercial Lathe 12 x 36 c1970- - - I'll just keep on keepin' on.