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How can I "polish" the cast aluminum bracket holding the alternator, as well as other cast aluminum parts to restore to a new, polished look?
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Re: Cast Aluminum Cleaning
George,
I don't really think you want to "polish" them so to speak. If you are looking to restore them to their original finish then I'd do a quick search in the archives under reskining aluminum and you will find some of the vendors that do this service. I forget the names of them but I sent my intake to a Chuck Smith down by LA and it came back nice so he may do other aluminum pieces too.
One thing I did try myself was my alternator. I tried an old one first and lightly glass beaded it to knock the dirt and corrosion off. Then I lightly polished it with a soft brass brush and to be honest I can't tell the difference from what I beaded on the outside, to the inside of the casting that wasn't corroded. If your bracket is all corroded that might be something to try out. If it's just dirty with light corrosion then a stiff toothbrush and comet cleaner will work wonders. Oh another thing is Eagle1 Mag Wheel ETCHING cleaner....must be the etching cleaner one... This works really good if you live in the States and can get it because up here in Canada we can't any more. -
Re: Cast Aluminum Cleaning
George-----
I assume that you're talking about the aluminum alternator bracket used for later C3's. This bracket was NEVER polished. It was natural permanent mold or die cast aluminum. If you polish it, it will "stand out like a sore thumb". I'd leave it the way it is (presumably, dull and oxidized) before I'd polish it.
One thing you might try. Stick it in a tub of diet Coke. The carbonic and phosphoric acid in that soda might just clean it up very much like new.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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