| Thread Tools | Search this Thread | Display Modes | 09-15-2009, 03:09 PM | #1 | Rivet Master
1967 24' Tradewind Greenville, South Carolina Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,107 Blog Entries: 3 | What chemicals are NOT safe w/aluminum? 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! | | |
09-15-2009, 03:29 PM | #2 | Rivet Master
1958 26' Overlander Mesa, Arizona Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 1,742 Images: 53 | Simple Green cleaner. It will ruin the finish on any kind of aluminum. __________________ 1958 Overlander 2011 Wolf Creek 850N TC 2011 Ford F-250 Crewcab (6.2L), 3.73RE WBCCI #5661/AIR #5661/TAC # AZ-6 4CU 1st VP My '58 Overlander Restoration and Travel Blog: https://mellomikesairstreams.blogspot.com/ | | |
09-15-2009, 03:45 PM | #3 | Rivet Master
1967 24' Tradewind Greenville, South Carolina Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,107 Blog Entries: 3 | Thanks Mike, Must be some chemists or metals experts out there that know in general terms which chemicals will ruin aluminum then we could check the ingredients if available or MSDS info. Wonder what the ingredient in Simple Green is that is harmful to aluminum? Just checked the label on Simple Green and it says do not use on plastic, leather, suede, unfinished wood, opals or pearls. Nothing about aluminum, so an unsuspecting person like me, but one that does not ask, could cause problems for themselves. | | |
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 __________________
"One of the best lessons I've learned is that you don't worry about criticism from people you wouldn't seek advice from."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. | | |
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. __________________
"One of the best lessons I've learned is that you don't worry about criticism from people you wouldn't seek advice from."William C. Swinney
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09-15-2009, 04:30 PM | #7 | Rivet Master
1958 26' Overlander Mesa, Arizona Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 1,742 Images: 53 | Quote: Originally Posted by SilverHoot Thanks Mike, Must be some chemists or metals experts out there that know in general terms which chemicals will ruin aluminum then we could check the ingredients if available or MSDS info. Wonder what the ingredient in Simple Green is that is harmful to aluminum? Just checked the label on Simple Green and it says do not use on plastic, leather, suede, unfinished wood, opals or pearls. Nothing about aluminum, so an unsuspecting person like me, but one that does not ask, could cause problems for themselves. 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. __________________ 1958 Overlander 2011 Wolf Creek 850N TC 2011 Ford F-250 Crewcab (6.2L), 3.73RE WBCCI #5661/AIR #5661/TAC # AZ-6 4CU 1st VP My '58 Overlander Restoration and Travel Blog: https://mellomikesairstreams.blogspot.com/ | | |
09-15-2009, 04:31 PM | #8 | InsideOut Rivet Master
1956 22' Safari 2015 27' Flying Cloud Vintage Kin Owner Conifer/Evergreen, Colorado Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,702 | Ammonia will damage aluminum. Shari __________________ Vintage Airstream Club - Past President 2007/2008 WBCCI #1824 - DenCO Unit Past President (2005) AIR #30 - Join Date: 2-25-2002 RMVAC | ACI - CO Unit (Formerly WBCCI) | BIRDY - our 1956 Safari | 1964 Serro Scotty | | |
09-15-2009, 04:48 PM | #9 | Rivet Master
2011 34' Classic Westchester Cty.NY, / Miami FL Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 3,122 | i've been told that silicone will react with the aluminum. __________________ Ricky 2012 F150 Super Crew 5-1/2' bed Ecoboost 4x4 3.73 elec. lock diff. Propride hitch give life. kidney & pancreas transplant 9/9/06 Ingrid-my unofficial '"World's Oldest Streamer" 1909-2008 R.I.P.
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09-15-2009, 05:05 PM | #10 | Rivet Master
2005 30' Classic Burlington, Ontario Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 2,743 | I used to be the plant engineer at a major railway overhaul shop. We had huge steam-heated caustic vats the size of swimming pools for cleaning baskets of engine parts & such. 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.) __________________ Brian & Connie Mitchell2005 Classic 30' Hensley Arrow / Centramatics 2008 GMC Sierra SLT 2500HD,4x4,Crew Cab, Diesel, Leer cap. | | |
09-15-2009, 06:08 PM | #11 | Rivet Master
1968 24' Tradewind Oxford,, Mississippi 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. | | |
10-06-2009, 08:44 AM | #12 | Rivet Master
1970 27' Overlander Espanola, Full Timer 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. | | |
10-06-2009, 02:48 PM | #13 | Rivet Master
1971 27' Overlander Central, Ohio 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.... | | |
10-06-2009, 04:04 PM | #14 | Minno Rivet Master
1972 31' Sovereign Lexington, Minnesota 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 | | |
10-06-2009, 04:14 PM | #15 | Minno Rivet Master
1972 31' Sovereign Lexington, Minnesota 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 | | |
10-06-2009, 05:08 PM | #16 | Rivet Master
1971 25' Tradewind 1993 34' Excella Currently Looking... Estancia, New Mexico 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. __________________ Sail on silver girl. Sail on by. Your time has come to shine. | | |
10-06-2009, 05:36 PM | #17 | jcanavera Moderator
2004 30' Classic Slideout Fenton, Missouri Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 10,403 | 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 __________________ Jack Canavera STL Mo. AIR #56 S/OS#15 '04 Classic 30' S.O.,'03 GMC Savana 2500 | | |
10-06-2009, 07:51 PM | #18 | Rivet Master
Commercial Member
1962 19' Globetrotter 1963 19' Globetrotter 1961 19' Globetrotter Wheat Ridge, Colorado 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!!! __________________ www.VINSTREAM.com Wheat Ridge, Colorado WBCCI # 1962 Instagram #Vinstream | | |
10-06-2009, 09:22 PM | #19 | FreshAir Rivet Master
1966 24' Tradewind Placerville, California 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. Neil. __________________ Neil and Lynn Holman FreshAir #12407 Avatar; Kirk Creek, Big Sur, Ca. coast. 1966 Trade Wind 1971 Buick Centurion convertible 455 cid 1969 Oldsmobile Ninety Eight 455 cid | | |
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