Aluminum problems

[gil_t2]

I never drive in the snow, did drive on a dry day when salt and sand was still on the street. Car stayed inside from Jan thru March. Now i have like corrosion on the inside back of the wheels, cam covers, and even the line locks. Anything aluminum, If you wipe it off it looks like a Grey dust. Is there anything to neutralize it?

 

[ixtlan]

There are some chemical conversion coatings in the Aviation industry.
Essentially they are Chromic acid and Sulfuric acid mixtures.
One such product is Alumiprep. Goes for about $25 a qt. It will kill the corrosion and leave the surface a dull grey.
The surface will need to be alodined afterword though.

As for the normal guy your best bet is to use a scotch brite pad soaked in mineral spirits to buff off the corrosion.
Then clean it well and clearcoat or paint it.

Never use steel wool or steel wire on aluminum.
You will just start the process if you do.

 

[Mach1Marauder]

Your cam covers are not aluminum. They are a Magnesium alloy.

 

[DusterRT]

Your cam covers are not aluminum. They are a Magnesium alloy.

I'm really, really doubtful of this..what's your source of this information?

 

[Mach1Marauder]

I'm really, really doubtful of this..what's your source of this information?

Working with metals for about 40 years

I forgot where I verified this, but it's true.

See the last thread I started.

 

[DusterRT]

Huh..well I'll be..news to me. I've only heard of the Cobra and Cammer race engines getting magnesium bits of late.

 

[Natural1]

He is correct, they are an alloy that is mostly magnesium.. They are not aluminum.

 

[gil_t2]

Thanks for the info, is there something to stop corrosion other than paint or power coat?

 

[Mach1Marauder]

Huh..well I'll be..news to me. I've only heard of the Cobra and Cammer race engines getting magnesium bits of late.

No Cobra cam cover has been made out of magnesium up to 2009 for sure. I've polished up to those years. Don't see the cammer being different.

Thanks for the info, is there something to stop corrosion other than paint or power coat?

http://s197forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=62227

 

[NastyStang113]

Your cam covers are not aluminum. They are a Magnesium alloy.

He is correct, they are an alloy that is mostly magnesium.. They are not aluminum.

Huh..well I'll be..news to me. I've only heard of the Cobra and Cammer race engines getting magnesium bits of late.

I concur with these guys. I mean have you ever seen a set of OEM cam covers, that didn't have paint, powdercoating, polished etc,that looked like "normal" aluminum?

 

[Mach1Marauder]

I concur with these guys. I mean have you ever seen a set of OEM cam covers, that didn't have paint, powdercoating, polished etc,that looked like "normal" aluminum?

They don't look "normal" brand new when pulling them outta the parts box! LOL! They are a bit better to polish from new though............but not much.

 

[DusterRT]

No Cobra cam cover has been made out of magnesium up to 2009 for sure. I've polished up to those years. Don't see the cammer being different.

Sorry, should have been more specific. The Cobra R and later the 5.0 cammer they used in the cup cars (FR500C) had mag intakes.

 

[Mach1Marauder]

Sorry, should have been more specific. The Cobra R and later the 5.0 cammer they used in the cup cars (FR500C) had mag intakes.

Intake is correct.

One of two turbo CobraRs that I know about and this one was the very first.

 

[NastyStang113]

They don't look "normal" brand new when pulling them outta the parts box! LOL! They are a bit better to polish from new though............but not much.

That was exactly my point!

 

[ixtlan]

Magnesium is treated like aluminum in that do not use steel brushes or steel wool.
Sulfuric acid will kill any corrosion, but is dangerous to deal with. It must not be allowed to dry before rinsing either.
Aluminum or Magnesium is best handled by using the Scotch Brite type pads and mineral spirits.
Some type of protection must be applied after cleaning though or your problems will come back even worse.
Paint, Clear coat, ect..
When you remove the protective coatings already on the parts you compromise them and you must replace the barrier.

 

[mpf]

Aluminum or Magnesium is best handled by using the Scotch Brite type pads and mineral spirits.

I have been a metalworker for 33 years..scotchbrite is great for AL or MAG.
I don't like the smell of mineral spirits, I use diesel or kerosene myself.
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