Acid Etch...

[Gregg Brightwell]

Good morning all,

I guess this thread is more 'general' than any other category. I recently purchased a 2nd hand wing kit, and a few of the ribs have some light surface corrosion, but nothing that can't be corrected (I think). I have been using a scotchbrite wheel on a dotco, and it works, but it is very time consuming. (a little at the time)

I remember a little about acid etch from college, (A&P classes) but don't remember everything.... What products out there have you all used to remove light scale / corrosion from aluminum?

I saw a product on Spruce from Stewart that appears to be more eco-friendly than some, but does it work as good?

Please help! I want to remove all traces of corrosion before I prep and prime these parts. I will reject and replace the parts that won't 'clean up', but don't want to reject anymore than I need to.

Thanks!

Gregg

[Phil]

Hi Gregg,

I scrub the corrosion off with a scotchbrite pad and then treat it with an Alodine Pen.

Then I cover it with some type of rattle can primer. Typically SEM Self-Etching. I can pick it up at a local auto paint supply house.

If there is a spot that requires too much scrubbing for my arm to handle, I use one of these on a drill. I've got some that are Aluminum Oxide and they make quick work of it. (Then of course I treat it with the alodine pen as before.)

Phil

[Gregg Brightwell]

Phil,

Yep, I scrub all the bad stuff off, then hit it with an alodine pen. Just looking for a way to do the same with less effort I spent 4 hours yesterday and only cleaned 4 ribs (perfectionist). There has GOT to be a better way... I need some good acid etch to 'eat' the bad stuff.

Gregg

[Phil]

It sounds like Alumiprep is what you're asking about.

It will etch the aluminum, but you should still scrub them down with a scotchbrite pad. Then of course you have to treat the part with alodine.

BTW, the Alodine Pen can be accelerated by applying some heat from a heat gun on low settings, hair dryer, or space heater. It's perfectly acceptable to force-dry it with hot air.

Phil