Cleaning soot off aluminum welds

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Anyone have a fast way to clean the soot off of MIG aluminum welds? I have a fixture that has a gridlock of 3" square openings, 7" deep where all the fillets need to be welded. Obviously gun angle is causing a huge problem with soot, so I'm looking for the fastest way to clean all that off when I'm done. Will a pressure washer work? Or does anyone know of a really good brush that can go in a drill that's long enough?John 3:16(2) Miller Pheonix 456(2) Millermertic 252Dynasty 210DXHobart 210MVPDoringer D350 SA Cold SawScotchman 350LT Cold SawWebb 10x50 MillWebb 15x40 LatheGeka Bendicrop Ironworker
Reply:How about adapting a standard brush to a sawzall blade notch the wooden handle and insert an old blade and drill a couple holes through the handle/blade?Tiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:Clever solution!
Reply:Originally Posted by soutthpawHow about adapting a standard brush to a sawzall blade notch the wooden handle and insert an old blade and drill a couple holes through the handle/blade?
Reply:Pressure washer would take the soot off. A real mild acid- water solution would work also..
Reply:I use a light machine oil, like WD40 works all the time
Reply:Try Eagle aluminum wheel cleaner.  They make two versions . . . one for polished, and another for unpolished wheels.  The one for unpolished wheels will clean and lightly etch the aluminum, leaving it with a bright finish.  Wet the surface, spray on the cleaner and wait a couple minutes, the use your pressure washer to rinse it off.  I use it on aluminum engine blocks / heads.  Available at your local auto parts and Walmart.Dynasty 300DXSmith He/Ar gas mixerMM350PHobart Handler 120Smith LW7, MW5, AW1A
Reply:Originally Posted by MinnesotaDaveThat's funny - I was just thinking the same thing! But I thought people would think I was crazy
Reply:Originally Posted by soutthpawHow about adapting a standard brush to a sawzall blade notch the wooden handle and insert an old blade and drill a couple holes through the handle/blade?
Reply:Red scotch brite pad.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:All I can add is to remove the smut right away as it will harden up over time and be difficult to remove.Weld like a "WELDOR", not a wel-"DERR" MillerDynasty700DX,Dynasty350DX4ea,Dynasty200DX,Li  ncolnSW200-2ea.,MillerMatic350P,MillerMatic200w/spoolgun,MKCobraMig260,Lincoln SP-170T,PlasmaCam/Hypertherm1250,HFProTig2ea,MigMax1ea.
Reply:compressed air will help a little but it wont be shinyNothing Ever Got Done By Quitting, Never Give Up.
Reply:In case anyone is interested, I stopped at my LWS, bought a bottle of "PROTEX Alclean" by Arcair. Intended purpose is cleaning aluminum prior to welding, but it works amazing for cleaning the soot off! Cost me $25 for a quart though! I bought a bottle of the Eagle aluminum wheel cleaner first and it didn't do crap. Maybe I bought the wrong one...John 3:16(2) Miller Pheonix 456(2) Millermertic 252Dynasty 210DXHobart 210MVPDoringer D350 SA Cold SawScotchman 350LT Cold SawWebb 10x50 MillWebb 15x40 LatheGeka Bendicrop Ironworker
Reply:Originally Posted by EcondronIn case anyone is interested, I stopped at my LWS, bought a bottle of "PROTEX Alclean" by Arcair. Intended purpose is cleaning aluminum prior to welding, but it works amazing for cleaning the soot off! Cost me $25 for a quart though! I bought a bottle of the Eagle aluminum wheel cleaner first and it didn't do crap. Maybe I bought the wrong one...
Reply:Acetone."Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum"Lincoln Idealarc 250 AC/DCMillermatic 251   Syncrowave 300   30A spoolgunLincoln MP210Hypertherm 45(2) LN 25(2) Lincoln Weldanpower 225 CV(4) SA200   1 short hood    SA250    SAM 400
Reply:A soft stainless wire wheel on a piece of all-thread, in a cordless drill. You can also make a disc out of red scotchbrite.SqWave 200Millermatic 190Airco 200 ACHypertherm PM45Boice-Crane Band SawVictor O/A