Aluminium Rot?
 

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[Closed] Aluminium Rot?

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Hi All,
Got some forks that have aluminium parts. These seem to have corroded (pic [url= ?dl=0]Picture[/url]). Any suggestions on how to clean them up pls?

Thanks

[img] ?dl=0[/img]


 
Posted : 15/01/2018 11:29 am
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Careful buffing with progressively finer abrasives, wire wool, fine grit wet and dry will make them look better for a short time but they will have originally been anodised or lacquered to protect them so without that they'll look scruffy again much quicker.


 
Posted : 15/01/2018 11:53 am
 DrP
Posts: 12041
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So after i bought some new (Car) alloys from ebay, one had a huge covering of 'aluminium rust'. Properly caked on.

I googled, and it turns out aluminium doesn't rust - it's surface additions of oxidation..

Basically, coke and a scouring pad cleaned them up beautifully.

Try that.

DrP

Coke, the drink. Not £4ks worth of Chelsea snow...


 
Posted : 15/01/2018 11:56 am
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Nitromors always used to be the agent of choice on aluminium but not sure the new formula is as effective.

something caustic and don't leave it on too long.


 
Posted : 15/01/2018 11:58 am
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they will have originally been anodised or lacquered to protect them so without that they'll look scruffy again much quicker.

yes.
Salt plus water in winter time is hell on aluminium. And if there is an other - non aluminium - metal close by aluminium might turn into white powder very quickly...
For shipping bare metal aluminium parts temporary wax-based protection is used. No idea if this stuff is available for bikes as well.
I use - in winter time - silicone spray as "anti stick" on my bike.


 
Posted : 15/01/2018 12:04 pm

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