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 09-15-2009, 03:09 PM | #1 |
SilverHoot Rivet Master 1967 24' Tradewind Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,107 Blog Entries: 3 |
Getting ready to cleanup the window frames and want to know what common chemicals NOT to use to dissolve the adhesives from old weatherstripping. I'm talking commonly available items such as acetone,lacquer thinner and such. Hate to be trying to do some good and do some permanent damage! |
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What chemicals are NOT safe w/aluminum?
| 09-15-2009, 03:29 PM | #2 |
mello mike Rivet Master 1958 26' Overlander Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 1,742 Images: 53 | Simple Green cleaner. It will ruin the finish on any kind of aluminum. __________________ My '58 Overlander Restoration and Travel Blog: |
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| 09-15-2009, 03:45 PM | #3 |
SilverHoot Rivet Master 1967 24' Tradewind Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,107 Blog Entries: 3 | Thanks Mike, |
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| 09-15-2009, 03:51 PM | #4 |
Kevin245 Moderator Vintage Kin Owner Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 11,696 Images: 9 | We use acetone to clean aluminum routinely. It will damage some clear coatings, but it won't hurt the aluminum. Regards, Kevin __________________ William C. Swinney |
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| 09-15-2009, 03:58 PM | #5 |
markdoane Rivet Master , Minnesota Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 7,721 Images: 59 | 3M adhesive remover. |
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| 09-15-2009, 04:10 PM | #6 |
Kevin245 Moderator Vintage Kin Owner Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 11,696 Images: 9 | Most Mfgs. make their product data sheets available on line, and they usually state what materials should not be cleaned with their product (though not always). The big thing to avoid are caustics such as Sodium Hydroxide. The other concern with chemicals is prolonged contact when they become trapped between faying surfaces of seams, or crevices. They can really attack some metals when given enough time.Just some random thoughts. Hope this helps. __________________ William C. Swinney |
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| 09-15-2009, 04:30 PM | #7 |
mello mike Rivet Master 1958 26' Overlander Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 1,742 Images: 53 | Quote: Originally Posted by SilverHoot Thanks Mike, Yeah, I sprayed some on my kitchen countertop and some excess spray got on my aluminum backsplash. Fortunately, it's at the very bottom and you don't see much but the spots won't come out. Others on this site can attest to this, too. __________________ My '58 Overlander Restoration and Travel Blog: |
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| 09-15-2009, 04:31 PM | #8 |
InsideOut Rivet Master 1956 22' Safari Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,702 Images: 108 | Ammonia will damage aluminum. Shari __________________ RMVAC | ACI - CO Unit (Formerly WBCCI) | BIRDY - our 1956 Safari | 1964 Serro Scotty |
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| 09-15-2009, 04:48 PM | #9 |
richinny Rivet Master 2011 34' Classic Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 3,122 | i've been told that silicone will react with the aluminum. __________________ |
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| 09-15-2009, 05:05 PM | #10 |
Wingeezer Rivet Master 2005 30' Classic Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 2,743 | I used to be the plant engineer at a major railway overhaul shop. We had huge If anyone made the mistake of putting any aluminum items in the caustic vat, they would soon vanish! Brian (PS I suspect Simple Green may be mildly alkaline (Caustic), not sure though.) __________________ 2005 Classic 30' |
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| 09-15-2009, 06:08 PM | #11 |
68 TWind Rivet Master 1968 24' Tradewind Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 1,564 | I just replaced all the windows and weather stripping in my Trade Wind. I found that lacquer thinner was the best in dissolving the old adhesive, tried all kinds of stuff. For the really dried stuff, Dremel has a scotchbrite buff you can chuck up in the Dremel and it get any residual adhesive and sealants. There are 2 grits, the course will scratch the Alum. skin if you get it on that but on the window frames they saved me hours and hours of scrubbing with 000 steel wool. |
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| 10-06-2009, 08:44 AM | #12 |
AIR-Quarius Rivet Master 1970 27' Overlander Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 1,753 Images: 39
| Don't use 'Bleche White'...it's a powerful slightly acid based cleaner we use around here, but it will etch aluminum. However it is very handy to have a bottle around for other cleaning issues. We use it sometimes to literaly 'melt' grim etc on the inside walls (inner shell) Some time I will take a picture of what the bottle loks like so you will know what it looks like. __________________ |
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| 10-06-2009, 02:48 PM | #13 |
Ganglin Rivet Master 1971 27' Overlander Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 2,365 Images: 13 | Quote: Originally Posted by mello mike Simple Green cleaner. It will ruin the finish on any kind of aluminum. I'll second this one! Just did it a couple weeks ago. It's environmentally safe after all - or so I thought. Not plasticoat environmentally safe. I sprayed the belt line. The went around the trailer right after with a carwash mitt. It left milky streaks in the coating where it ran down the side. We were able to wax most of it out with a brand of wipe on/off Turtle wax and a microfiber cloth. You wouldn't really see it but I can.... |
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| 10-06-2009, 04:04 PM | #14 |
Minno Rivet Master 1972 31' Sovereign Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 3,987 | We used Carb cleaner to clean adhesive, Vulkem, etc off of our window frames and windows when we were re-sealing them. Works great and doesn't react with the aluminum. We used a synthetic wire brush chucked in a drill to clean up window frames also. Got rid of excess stuff and kind of shined it up without the abrasiveness of an actual wire brush. I bought a big jug of industrial strength orange stuff at Home Depot, that actually gave instructions for using on aluminum on the jug. You mix it half and half for aluminum. I cleaned the inner panels with it, worked great. Now, what was the name of that stuff? Kay |
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| 10-06-2009, 04:14 PM | #15 |
Minno Rivet Master 1972 31' Sovereign Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 3,987 | It was Zep professional strength cleaner. Comes with a spray bottle you can mix half and half, or use full strength for other things. They don't recommend full strength for aluminum. (Had to run out to my hubbys workshop in the rain to check the name!). Kay |
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| 10-06-2009, 05:08 PM | #16 |
Lumatic Rivet Master 1971 25' Tradewind Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 7,742 Images: 16 Blog Entries: 1 | Quote: Originally Posted by richinny i've been told that silicone will react with the aluminum. Hopefully no one is using silicone as a cleaner I don't know that silicone reacts with aluminum, but it's harder to get off than a duck on a junebug. __________________ |
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| 10-06-2009, 05:36 PM | #17 |
jcanavera Moderator 2004 30' Classic Slideout Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 10,403 Images: 143
| Quote: Originally Posted by InsideOut Ammonia will damage aluminum. Shari Take a look at many car wash soaps and/or dishwashing liquids. Many contain a form of ammonia which can be detrimental to the clear coat and Alcoa finishes also. Jack __________________ |
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| 10-06-2009, 07:51 PM | #18 |
vinstream Rivet Master Commercial Member 1962 19' Globetrotter Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 624 Images: 2 | Carb Cleaner is what I have been Using... It cleans Aluminum well and does not leave a greasy after layer! IT WILL MESS UP CLEAR COATS!!! __________________ |
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| 10-06-2009, 09:22 PM | #19 |
FreshAir Rivet Master 1966 24' Tradewind Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 3,328 Images: 2 | I was told by several folks that laquer thinner isn't good with aluminum so I will not use it. I use mineral spirits, not paint thinner, to clean before and after polishing and other cleanup chores. __________________ Avatar; 1966 Trade Wind 1971 Buick Centurion convertible 1969 Oldsmobile Ninety Eight |
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