Cleaning Aluminum Engine Parts

[n/a]

I need some advise on how to clean the aluminum parts such as the valve cover, intake manifold, etc. I do not want to polish these pieces, just clean the discoloration so they look original.
Has anyone done this themselves?

Regards,
Stan

[ja17]

Hello Stan,
Get a tub and a few gallons of K-1 Kerosene. Some various brass and fiber brushes, steel wool, rubber gloves etc. The kerosene is not as strong as some commercial solvents but it is east to get, inexpensive and will do a good job with a little work. "Brake Kleen" in a spray can with  a little steel whool does a nice finish up, dry with rags. If you have a bench grinder and fit a soft brass or steel wire brush on it this is very useful. Be careful have an extinguisher handy, use safety glasses if you use a wire wheel and rubber gloves for cleaning in the solvents.

Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio

[Cees Klumper]

I found today that brake cleaner is a bit more effective at taking off dirt etc. than kerosene. So using kerosene (and brushes as Joe indicates) is a very good start to get rid of most of the grease/oily deposits etc, and the brake cleaner takes care of any remaining oil deposits.

Cees Klumper in Amsterdam
'69 white 280 SL automatic

[dwilli3038]

I found that a brass wire brush that was made to fit on my Drill motor did a good job without any cleaner. I did not have much oil and greese

Daryl
'64 230 SL