Cleaning aluminum

[Mdman352]

I need help. I am working on a Comtemporary Classic Cobra that has been sitting in a garage for 15 years. The manifold and valve covers are filthy.

I already have tried:
Cleaning in a spray cabinet with 170 degree water.
Vinegar
Oven cleaner.
Liquid that is used to clean aluminum bodies on semis.
Although the valve cover is relatively clean, there is still some staining. I do not want these parts polished but it would be nice to have them CLEAN. My buddy says don't worry about it as the hood will be shut and the motor will be dirty in a few hours of running. Can anyone help with some suggestions. I am going to try and find someone with a bead blaster as I have heard that this process will work as long as it uses balls and not cut glass. Any help would be appreciated.
thank you.
David

[Cobrabill]

THere is some stuff by Alum-X.Contains hydrochloric acid.I'm in the process of running some down right now.Stand-by for news.

[767Jockey]

Mdman,
Welcome to the Contemporary family. I'm undertaking a project very similar to yours, bringing a long neglected CCX back to life. Contact Jeff, CC name 1985 CCX for inclusion in the Contemporary Owners Group. It's a great group of guys with a lot of talent and insight on these great cars. Lot's of technical knowledge and parts info, all at no charge whatsoever for inclusion in the group. Jeff will get you hooked up, PM him when you can.
Send me an Email at DMarotta737@Gmail.com and I'll fill you in on my project and what I've learned and encountered so far, and you can fill me in on your project. I look forward to hearing from you.
Welcome aboard, Contemporaries are great cars, and it's all worth the effort.
Doug

[Ant]

There are many ways to clean aluminium, one is beadblasting, but that will leave a surface that will quite easily get impregnated with oil etc, another and you may laugh is "Rhubarb" I have a friend who use to boil old carbs etc in a pot with several Rhubarb leaves, not sure about the stems, rhubarb being mildly acidic is great for this!

Food, meat processing plants use from what I remember an industrial strength orange liquid for cleaning fat etc off alloy and stainless steel sheets, I used on some McLaren F5000 magnesium wheels, and it smoked a bit but did an extremely good job, so you can go for a mild acidic vegetable to the hard stuff!
Also a mag wheel cleaning business should be able to recommend a good product to get the valve covers back to the original look!

Cobrabill may be on to a good product, as I think the industrial cleaners have the hydrochloric acid

[lineslinger]

I have seen aluminum cleaned in a blasting cabinet using crushed pecan shells as the blasting medium, did a great job of cleaning with out creating any porosity in the skin of the metal.

[Tinker51]

The fastest result is going to be from media blasting. What media you use depends on what your preference for the final surface. If you want a textured surface (like etched glass) then glass bead. If you want almost no added texture then try soda for the media. Lots of places are getting into soda blasting and I think even Eastwood sells soda now.