Re: Polish aluminum engine

Posted by Owen_Dyneto On 2014/1/15 18:42:32

All to many good parts and assemblies have been ruined by blasting media, despite well-intentioned and careful steps to cover or mask. If I really wanted to blast a senior crankcase or oil pan (and I wouldn't do it), I'd do it when the engine was diassembled for a rebuild and even after scrupulous cleaning I'd probably coat the interior surfaces with Glyptal or equivalent. As to blasting media, perhaps walnut shells such as used for tumble-cleaning brass would be a better choice than glass, I'd stay away from sand regardless of what precautions were taken.

I've seen plenty of these aluminum castings cleaned simply with solvents in a vapor degreaser and doubt any blasting media would do much better, if any.