Rust spots in the aluminium cladding

Submitted: Thursday, Oct 30, 2008 at 21:50

ThreadID: 125164 Views:4766 Replies:2 FollowUps:5

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Boystoy

Two years ago we spent some time in the Pilbara, & on our return I spent some considerable time changing the aluminium checkerplate from "Pilbara pink" to normal aluminium colour.

After our last trip to the "Tip" I decided the BT needed a really good detail clean.
There had been some "dirt" spots above the rubber strip that runs down each side, which previously I had chosen to ignore.
This time It was time for them to go. I pulled the rubber back a bit to get access, but every cleaning aid I tried, the dirt spots (read iron ore rust spots) ignored them all.
The only way I found that I could remove the spots was to scrape them away with a small screwdriver, but this also removes the paint.

Does anyone know of a chemical that will desolve these iron ore rust spots, or are they there forever? When the BT has its usual coating of outback dust, they are hardly noticable, maybe I should leave it this way?

Any advice?

Neil

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Reply By: NIK `N` OFF - Friday, Oct 31, 2008 at 06:23

Friday, Oct 31, 2008 at 06:23

Hi Neil,

If the surface wasn't painted / podwercoated there are a few aluminium cleaners but the ones i have read about are caustic and will i think affect the coating.

Have you tried CT18 neat and left on even overnight then hosed off, Chemtech also make a product called Blitz but again i don't know how it would go on the coated surfaces.

Aluminium doesn't rust as such but it can corrode, look what happens if steel hooks or fishing swivels are left to lay in the hulls of boats, the metals react and corrosion starts, similar to what must be occuring with the iron ore dust particles.

Good luck with it,

AnswerID: 576232

Follow Up By: Boystoy - Saturday, Nov 01, 2008 at 22:14

Saturday, Nov 01, 2008 at 22:14

Hi Mick & Vickie,

Many thanks, now cleaned up!!

Contacted Chemtech, who advised Blitz is for raw aluminium, & not recommended for painted aluminium. (Would be good for changing the pink checkerplate back to silver again).

I followed your advice & painted on neat CT18 & left overnight. I then pulled back the rubber mould & rubbed the offending rust spots with Chux Magic Eraser (plastic cleaning blocks from the supermarket), & finally hosed off.

I was able to remove about 95% of the rust spots with no damage to the paintwork. (except the paintwork above the rubber strip is now 'Colgate white', much whiter than the rest of the van).

Pleased with the result & thanks again. Good example of the wealth of knowlege on the BOG site!

Neil

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Follow Up By: NIK `N` OFF - Sunday, Nov 02, 2008 at 01:35

Sunday, Nov 02, 2008 at 01:35

Good to hear Neil, the CT18 was recommended to me years ago by a friend who lives up in the Kimberley area, i have used it ever since and been pleased with it's results.

Now don't stop there you have the rest of the Van to do LOL

FollowupID: 850290

Follow Up By: Grumblebum & Dragon - Sunday, Nov 02, 2008 at 09:35

Sunday, Nov 02, 2008 at 09:35

Beware,
Most aluminium cleaners contain up to 10% Hydroflouric Acid which is an extremely noxious acid that targets the bone marrow - it eats just about everthing except some poly's and plastics and pure diamonds. We used the neat stuff in the diamind mines for a final clean up of the stones.

I was once cleaning some gold nuggets in a poly screw top pot with neat acid. I checked the progress but did not even open the pot. Seemed there was a hair line crack in the lid - escaping fumes were sufficient for me to loose three finger nails.

I still use the aluminium cleaners to clean gold (I will never use the neat stuff again) - over a couple of weeks it will remove iron staining and bits of quartz etc

take car

John

FollowupID: 850291

Reply By: Rockgoc - Sunday, Nov 02, 2008 at 05:41

Sunday, Nov 02, 2008 at 05:41

This CT18 stuff sounds like what I need....have 2 years of Pilbara pink to get rid of! Where do you buy it from ?
Regards, Jan O

AnswerID: 576233

Follow Up By: NIK `N` OFF - Sunday, Nov 02, 2008 at 07:57

Sunday, Nov 02, 2008 at 07:57

Anywhere that sells it :-)

Try supercheap / repco / any 1/2 reputable auto mob should have it.

It does work best if its left on for a while, hour / two or ten whichever and then hose off

FollowupID: 850292