Cleaning Aluminum that's been left outdoors

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Hi guys- I finally got my ac tig working and I am about to try and weld some aluminum coupons. I have about 50' of 1/8"x 2" aluminum that a buddy of mine gave me about a year ago which I plan to cut up into 6" strips. It has been sitting out in the weather since he dropped it off and I am asking what the best way to go about cleaning it is. It is just for practice welds and there is no time urgency, I would just like to get it as clean as it needs to be to give me the best chance to get good results with the tig. Thanks
Reply:Hit it with a propane torch and then wire brush. And then before you weld it, spray with acetone and wire brush again.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:Stainless steel power brush.Lincoln SA200's... at least 15 - 20. They come and go. Growing partial to the "Short Hoods" in my old age. Last count on Short Hoods was 13 in possession.
Reply:NaOH will deoxidize that stuff in a few minutes. oven cleaner, draino, etc will work. do it outside as the fumes are nasty.  no need to brush or acetone it if you do this. Just remember to take it out. I forgot to take out a tube once and it was just a little thicker than aluminum foil by the next day. honestly I've left aluminum outside and it doesnt' get that dirty. the exception being if you let it sit in water it oxidize black fast.
Reply:Easy Off oven clean in the yellow spray can. Etches down to clean metal in a few minutes, doesn't get much easier than that.Welding/Fab Pics: www.UtahWeld.com
Reply:Here is some aluminum pipe that has been out side for at least 30-years that I know of, and I got it used. Cleaned it up with a stainless steel wire wheel on a bench grinder. Attached ImagesDon’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:Originally Posted by hobohiltonStainless steel power brush.
Reply:I thought using high friction power wheels on AL was a no-no because of the risk of imbedding contaminates into the metal?Eastwood TIG 200NAPA 83-315 MIG
Reply:Thank you all for the tips. I will try the stainless brush first and move on to the oven cleaner if neccesary.I will let you know how it turns out.Thanks again.
Reply:Originally Posted by emeraldbisonI thought using high friction power wheels on AL was a no-no because of the risk of imbedding contaminates into the metal?
Reply:Originally Posted by emeraldbisonI thought using high friction power wheels on AL was a no-no because of the risk of imbedding contaminates into the metal?
Reply:My advice to everyone is assemble your cleaning tools and keep them locked in a case just for aluminum.  I'll get pictures sometime but this is a list of my kit:Stainless wire cup for 4 1/2" grinderStainless wire brush, big and small (toothbrush size)Blue 4 1/2" flap disc (works well, don't use heavy pressure or dig in like you would for steel)Right angle die grinder with 3M scour padsStraight die grinder with a coarse rasp bit, I think I got these at Northern Tool, heavy grinding they will plug up but you can take a screw driver and clean them out. AcetoneI'm going to have to try some NaOh next time I have a dirty aluminum job.  Who am I kidding, only one has been new aluminum.  All these brushes, discs, die grinder bits are used for strictly aluminum.  The reasoning is if you use it on steel, the steel gets imbedded in the discs and wire brushes and such.  Next time you use them on your aluminum it embeds into the aluminum.  You'll get rusty aluminum on top of contaminated welds.