As described before in our previous thread we have large amount of wreckage from a Lancaster crash. Of course, most of this is very dirty after being in the ground for so long! We know that many forum members also collect such items, so we would like to know what are the best recommended methods of chemical cleaning? We are concerned that too much rough treatment might remove important paint and markings. Thanks.
Dieter
By: Ross_McNeill - 27th May 2009 at 19:46
Instead of washing up liquid I recommend this product for small area cleaning in association to a soft bristle tooth brush.
http://www.picreator.co.uk/articles/5_vulpex_liquid_soap.htm
Contains nothing that will harm alloys, paint, rubber or cloth!
Regards
Ross
By: Arabella-Cox - 27th May 2009 at 19:30
Cleaning old ally parts
For your informantion, in case you weren’t aware: Washing up liquid contains loads of salt (as a thickener) which is not good for metals when there is any moisture present.
Make sure you use lots of fresh water to rinse the parts after cleaning before you dry them off for treatment.
For treatment, I use a 50/50 mix of Waxoyl and white spirit, which, brushed on or used to dunk bits in, is a pretty effective corrosion stopper, water proofer and all round corrosion inhibitor. It soaks in well, just like a penetrating oil, but will need re-doing every 5 years or so.
Many aircraft parts just out of the ground will often display surprising amounts of good quality intact paintwork which, if left to dry, rapidly flakes off and is lost.
Clean the parts worth preserving in a weak soap solution and rinse and treat as soon as possible after excavation. Often, the original paint is still well bonded to the surface just after excavation and will stand quite vigorous washing so take this opportunity to clean stuff thoroughly. This way you have some chance of saving, what is a very delicate coating, intact.
The preservative solution also enhances the colour very well and this can highlight stencilling, which might otherwise be almost invisible, and suchlike to good effect.
Anon.
By: salforddude - 26th May 2009 at 23:12
Try warm soapy water and a toothbrush. Soak the more mucky bits in the water first. Biological washing powder is pretty good as a hot soak cleaner on most things, but keep an eye on it. Ive never used it on old mag alloy parts , but its pretty safe on aluminium alloys, and safe on steel
Steradent is a pretty gentle cleaner too.
If you have any mates at Chrome platers, do not let them help you in any way. Boiling caustic will ruin old ally in seconds
By: QldSpitty - 26th May 2009 at 22:00
Umm how about just soap and water and a good scrub with a brush.
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May 26, 2009 at 11:21 am