Aluminum cleaner

[garcia]

I know that I'm just a beginner, but I'm getting tired of seeing a pretty "puddle" of shinny aluminum all of a sudden turn dirty. What be used mechanically and chemically to avoid contamination?
Thanks,
García

[JWELD]

I use an "Aluminum Cleaner" purchased in gallon jugs from my distrbutor. It is an acid base and cleans great.

[HAWK]

Garcia,

For mig and AC tig I use a stainless wire rope brush on a grinder to brush off the surface and it works just fine. If you are welding Al with DC and He you will need to go with a chemical cleaner as JWELD suggested. Chemical cleaners work well all around. I don't use them if I can get by with a stainless brushing. Ask you dealer for a good chemical cleaning product.

Good Luck

Let's hear if anything helps you.

[Gregg]

Garcia , if you can stand the smell , we used Acetone . It cleans everything and evaporates quickly,so it doesn't leave any residue.
hope this helps

[garcia]

Thanks

Hawk: I'm using a Syncrwave 180 sd. Using a cleaning solution that has HYDRFLOURIC ACID and PHOSFORIC ACID plus some "Surfactant" I have also tried using a S.S. brush. I keep on getting mixed results. Some pretty clean weld spots, and some dirty ones.
Greg: thanks for the suggestion. If I have been able to stand the smell of formaldahyde, I can live with acetone. I'll give it a try.
Thanks,
García

[HAWK]

You say you're getting mixed results. Are you cleaning just prior to welding? Best results will be achieved by welding promptly after cleaning. Surface oxides reform quickly. You might try a good stainless brushing (hand brushing is not always effective)try a grinder with an ss rope brush. After brushing wipe down with isopropyl alcohol. It evaporates quickly. Then weld.

Let us know what happens.

[JWELD]

Again, I have great sucess with the comercial cleaner from the distributor. Clean the metal, stainless steel brush it then use the "cleaner", Then I use very hot water and blow dry. If that does not work, I would throw the part to be welded away.

[Justin00Stang]

I've had mixed resulst as well, I think its due to some of the small scrap pieces that I get from the local surplus place. Just low quality Alum.

[ASKANDY]

Garcia,

Seeing that you stated that you are a beginner, I just want to make sure you have torch angles right and gas flow rates correct. Some people think as long as there is an arc flowing, it should weld. Not true! Torch angle is critical and just the right amount of gas flow. Too much flow will cause turbulance and too little will not shield properly. Try a 5 to 15 degree torch angle pushing the torch. Never pulling. 18-22cfh on the flow with the standard Sync180 torch should do for gas.

A