Keep in mind that ALCLAD is a micro thin layer of protective coating. Alodine will not do its thing on alclad. It's normally used for the areas that the alclad has been stripped away..or other areas freshly worked. Use some scotch brite and scuff a piece of aluminum. Then try the alodine. If you don't, you may sit waiting all day without results.
Normally Alodine works good for a long time. Temperature, light and purity affect its ability to burn the metal...or convert it. Just give it a try.
I've never used Alumiprep but I wonder if it's similar to caustic soda (CS). We used the stuff in big tanks. We prepped the aluminum in the CS and then dipped in the Alodine for added protection. There's also another process using Deoxydine. It etches and cleans the surface prior to Alodine application.
The Alodine will not work well unless the surface is clean. The best method to use for alodining small parts is to hit em with some green scotchbrite prior to application. That will give you that nice even gold color you want.
The powder stuff is great. Just keep it away from MEK!!!!!!! I had a batch blow up in my face one day. I thought the jug was full of water but some guy dumped mek in it. I added the powder. 3 seconds later a 3 foot flame shot out of the jug, burning the hair of my mustache and eyebrows. Its highly reactive and very potent.
JM -experimentalrv7.com
