[VAC] Re: Using Citrus Cleaner on Exterior Skin

[Alexkensington@xxxxxxx]

Ted - 

Weaker acids will not damage aluminum, but caustics certainly will. Strong 
lye can actual dissolve the stuff! Inhibited phosphoric acid such as found in 
Naval Jelly is commercial employed in some applications as an aluminum 
cleaner before anodizing. 
BUT---
As other will point out using solutions to clean the skin is a bad idea! It 
is too difficult to control, and will give really inconsistent results. If 
you could dunk the whole rig like a ewe in sheep dip, you might achieve 
uniformity, but may not even then!

For spot work and small parts I have used simple naval jelly as a cleaner 
prior to polishing with good result. Examples: knocking off corrosion from 
Inside window frames; screen frames, window crank handles, &c.
In these situations control means being able to paint it on uniformly and 
quickly, and washing off in the same way, after the oxides are beat up a bit. 
Washing with lots of water to remove trace amounts, and polishing comes after 
and is rewarding in hard to work areas. A Little goes a long way!

But big surface areas are taboo. Its very much like trying to develop a large 
photograph with a mop full of chemicals in stead of a big tray. The chemical 
action will be inconsistent, and Most Unforgiving in a Faustian way! 

Hope this helps!
Alex In Indiana
66 Safari & Overlander
8728