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Cleaning Aluminum with Soda Blaster, Question

K

Kahles56

FRIEND
Pinehurst, NC.
I am getting ready to clean some aluminum parts.

I know you can glass bead aluminum but I would prefer to utilize Soda to clean the parts if possible.
It leaves a finer finish. Easer to remove the soda basting soda with water and let dry, then utilize the other chemicals to prevent further corrosion.

Is there any reason to NOT UTILIZE SODA BLASTING for cleaning aluminum?
I have not found any reason in my general search on the net.

Thanks for any reply.

Ken
 
You only have very thin coating of pure aluminum on top of the alloy below to protect it from corrosion. Don’t destroy it.


Sent from my iPhone using SuperCub.Org
 
I’ve used soda blasting in the past with good results. I didn’t care for glass beads. It gave a rougher finish. You’ll want to alodine the parts after you clean them.
 
I am working on the wings of a PA-12 and the aluminum parts as well as the steel parts have flaking primer, dirt, insect nests , bird S$!t etc. on most of the parts.
You know, trying to clean 72 years of age from the wings , should allow me to check for cracks, loose rivets etc allow repair of any ribs that have the need.
After soda blasting I plan on rinsing in ph neutral water then high pressure airdrying, then 100 degree heat for 2hr to remove all moisture, submerging each part in Alodine, then repair as necessary when time permits. If I have to redo a few pieces due to repairs , then I will redo.
Also planning to do flap mod to wings as well.
At least that is the plan.
 
If it was me I would buy Dakota Cub Ribs, new spars if needed and clean up the rest of the parts. Or possibly just buy new wings...
 
Kahles56 said:
I am working on the wings of a PA-12 and the aluminum parts as well as the steel parts have flaking primer, dirt, insect nests , bird S$!t etc. on most of the parts.
You know, trying to clean 72 years of age from the wings , should allow me to check for cracks, loose rivets etc allow repair of any ribs that have the need.
After soda blasting I plan on rinsing in ph neutral water then high pressure airdrying, then 100 degree heat for 2hr to remove all moisture, submerging each part in Alodine, then repair as necessary when time permits. If I have to redo a few pieces due to repairs , then I will redo.
Also planning to do flap mod to wings as well.
At least that is the plan.
Click to expand...

that's WAY MORE work than you need to do... if it's sound reuse it. if it's bad replace it....
 
I have rebuilt a lot of wings and I would not soda blast any aluminum except maybe the spars and the compression struts. I have had no issues using paint stripper, Scotchbrite and then etch, alodyne and sometimes epoxy primer on aluminum. Bead blast the steel.
 
Kahles56 said:
I am working on the wings of a PA-12 and the aluminum parts as well as the steel parts have flaking primer, dirt, insect nests , bird S$!t etc. on most of the parts.
You know, trying to clean 72 years of age from the wings , should allow me to check for cracks, loose rivets etc allow repair of any ribs that have the need.
After soda blasting I plan on rinsing in ph neutral water then high pressure airdrying, then 100 degree heat for 2hr to remove all moisture, submerging each part in Alodine, then repair as necessary when time permits. If I have to redo a few pieces due to repairs , then I will redo.
Also planning to do flap mod to wings as well.
At least that is the plan.
Click to expand...

I'm not totally sure, but I think the rivets are steel. I don't think you should put steel in an acid dip.
 
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