Mark Jackson

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Working in Houston in the summer, I drip copious amounts of sweat onto the work piece. This didn't bother me when I would then acid etch/alodine/prime the piece but it happened inside the fuel tanks. Since this area will not be etched, I tried to clean with MEK and acetone but there appears to be a stain that won't come up easily.

Is there anything to do other than acid etch these area's?
 
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I polish/buff these areas to remove the corrosion. You'll need some aluminum polish and just some elbow grease.
 
I polish/buff these areas to remove the corrosion. You'll need some aluminum polish and just some elbow grease.

Just don't sweat on the plane even more while you're polishing and buffing.

And be doubly careful not to get any of that elbow grease on the aluminum. That stuff is REALLY hard to remove. :D
 
There's no reason you shouldn't etch and alodine tank parts. The sealant should adhere just fine (better than to a polished surface, I'd guess). Some guys are doing that in anticipation of running E-(XX) mogas.