Cleaning Aluminum for Restoriation

[bffulgham]

Yea, I have seen this, they actually carry it at Walmart, as well as the "Hammered" paints I like, although their paint selection at my location is minimal. Walmart sells the citrus stripper in 1 quart containers as well as the aerosol spray. Did you use a brush to apply the stripper or the aerosol spray. I was thinking the brush technique might be more cost effective, but the spray easier.

I used citri strip to remove varnish from some kitchen cabinets last year. I got the cheapest brushes I could find at a big box store....think they were called chip brushes....to spread the stuff. Worked great and did not feel bad about tossing the brushes in the trash. The key to citri strip is to be generous on the applied layer and give it enough time to do it's job. Also, try to do it when the temps are cool so that it doesn't dry out on you.

[JPG]

Yea, I have seen this, they actually carry it at Walmart, as well as the "Hammered" paints I like, although their paint selection at my location is minimal. Walmart sells the citrus stripper in 1 quart containers as well as the aerosol spray. Did you use a brush to apply the stripper or the aerosol spray. I was thinking the brush technique might be more cost effective, but the spray easier.

Brush application, and the aerosol for nooks/crannies that remain after removal of the brush applied. Also if you do let it sit too long and it dries out, the spray will 'remoisten'.

I wash then reuse bristle brush.

HD has a 64 oz version. Shake well before 'pouring'.

[tgamel]

I would just echo what JPG said. Citrustrip (I only had the spray available), elbow grease, acetone, self-etching primer, and hammered paint. Great results.

Thanks, guys think I have a plan now. Probably try and tackle the drill press sometime soon, got lots to do so may be next week. While the base and plate are of the drill press are made of cast iron and not aluminum (like the Mark V), the process of removing the rust and paint will be similar and give me a good idea of what to look forward to. Since I work overnight, most likely will be working on it in the evenings which is probably good since it is starting to hit the 90's here in East Texas and it is only gonna get hotter! Hopefully this will keep the Citristrip from drying out.

Appreciate all the sharing of your experience, knowledge and advice.

[terrydowning]

I didn't strip mine. I got out the pressure sprayer and cleaned it with Simple Green and then used a scrub bush. This removed all of the loose or flakey stuff that would peel new layers.

I sanded those down with 320 then hit it with the pressure sprayer again and dried in the sun. Be prepared to shoot the primer once the parts are dried off or you may have to deal with flash rust on steel parts (not an issue on the head stock)

Prime
Paint
Let Paint cure per instructions
Done

[tgamel]

I didn't strip mine. I got out the pressure sprayer and cleaned it with Simple Green and then used a scrub bush. This removed all of the loose or flakey stuff that would peel new layers.

I sanded those down with 320 then hit it with the pressure sprayer again and dried in the sun. Be prepared to shoot the primer once the parts are dried off or you may have to deal with flash rust on steel parts (not an issue on the head stock)

Prime
Paint
Let Paint cure per instructions
Done

Thanks for sharing your experience, lots of good info here. Will definately have to see which process will work best for me. I guess it will most likely depend on the shape of the machine I find in my price range. As long as I find a good operating machine, I can deal with the cosmetics.

[lightnin]

I tried Citrustrip because so many here praised it I can only say thank you.

The first time I used it was in the back porch at night worked great but messy.

I must do this outside from now on. The second time I used it it was hot and windy,

it was drying out so fast I had to sit there and apply more while I waited it didn't work as well

that time and took more applications to get all the paint off. It was hot and windy again so today

I tried something I thought about the other day. On a test area I put Glad cling wrap over the Citrustrip

when I pulled the cling wrap off all the paint came off with it except for a few small pieces

and they wiped off very easy with a rag the rest of the paint on the pieces not so good.

The only downside was the combination windy and cling wrap coulda used more hands.

[JPG]

I tried Citrustrip because so many here praised it I can only say thank you.

The first time I used it was in the back porch at night worked great but messy.

I must do this outside from now on. The second time I used it it was hot and windy,

it was drying out so fast I had to sit there and apply more while I waited it didn't work as well

that time and took more applications to get all the paint off. It was hot and windy again so today

I tried something I thought about the other day. On a test area I put Glad cling wrap over the Citrustrip

when I pulled the cling wrap off all the paint came off with it except for a few small pieces

and they wiped off very easy with a rag the rest of the paint on the pieces not so good.

The only downside was the combination windy and cling wrap coulda used more hands.

Kudos for yer ingenuity! An interesting 'approach'! Might work with evaporust also. As Mickyd once said "i know why they call it evaporust - it evaporates!;)

[tgamel]

Cool more ideas to try....Have a few small spots to clean. Somehow there is a rust spot on the aluminum table, think someone must have placed a steel tool on it and it sat there for a while. Will have to try evaporust on a rag for this one.

BTW, anyone have any ideas on the best way to get stain rings off and aluminum table? There are several small rings on the bandsaw table, looks like the are about the size of a spray paint or stain can. I have tried simple green and a green scotch brite pad, then 600 grit wet/dry sandpaper. Not much luck, I know they do not hurt the functionalbility of the saw, but they vex me!