Welding Aluminum On Sugar Trail0rs????

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Hi all,I have been having a real problem welding up the stress cracks on a suger companies truck trailors.  Do any of you know what the best thing is that I could use to remove the sugar from the aluminum before welding?  It seams like the sugar gets into the aluminum and no matter how much I clean it I still have to burn it off before I can get a good weld.What are your thoughts?Have any of you delt with this problem before?Thanks, MarkLast edited by boldschoolcreations; 11-25-2010 at 08:12 AM.
Reply:Try filling the trailer with coffee.Probably won't work, but the crew will enjoy the coffee break.Syncro 250 DX Dynasty 200 DXMM 251 w/30A SG XMT 304 w/714 Feeder & Optima PulserHH187Dialarc 250 AC/DCHypertherm PM 1250Smith, Harris, Victor O/ASmith and Thermco Gas MixersAccess to a full fab shop with CNC Plasma, Water Jet, etc.
Reply:Refined sugar is hygroscopic(sp) I think I know it will dissolve in 100F water  so can you flush it away?  Then use heat and time to drive the water out?
Reply:I like both answers so far!!! My thought was a hot pressure washer. It should flush it out. Then, scrub the joint to be repaired with a SS brush, and go to town.And then, after so much work...... you have it in your hand, and you look over to your side...... and the runner has run off. Leaving you holding the prize, wondering when the runner will return.
Reply:A steam cleaner works very well.  Clean it till it's good and hot, and it'll dry really quick as well.
Reply:maybe preheat the spot with a torch to cook the sugar off?Bill BerryKeith Berry & Son Ltd.machine work, and weldingBear River Vollunteer FD
Reply:if none of the above works especially the coffee then try and preheat before welding is it a bolster area or on the tank itself?  Either way if the cracks keep reappearing drill out small holes at the begining and ends of the cracks before welding.  If that dosent help then see the above and retry.