Equivalent grit of 0000 steel wool

[BlueZero]

Re: Equivalent grit of 0000 steel wool

Thanks Scott, for the info on the Simple Green on untreated aluminum. Did not know that. Just another reason to toos the rest of the Simple Green jug out.

No problem, glad I could help. I still use my Simple Green to clean my brushes off. Mostly my wheel spoke brush. I mix it up at 1:1 and let it soak in a glass jar over night. Works pretty good to break down the nasty grease and grime on the brush.

For a Simple Green replacement I've been using Extreme Simple Green Aircraft & Precision Cleaner. It's safe for aluminum and just about everything else. I've been testing it as a bug remover. So far it's one of the best bug removers I've ever used. It does strip your LSP but that's not bad for me. I just wish I could find it locally in gallons.

[vidrazor]

Re: Equivalent grit of 0000 steel wool

>>Therefore, contact times for unprotected or unpainted aluminum surfaces should be kept as brief as the job will allow - never for more than 10 minutes.<<

OK, no big deal then. I usually don't leave it on longer than that. Certainly no reason to go tossing out a bottle of one of the best cleaners on the planet!

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Equivalent grit of 0000 steel wool

Thanks Scott, for the info on the Simple Green on untreated aluminum. Did not know that. Just another reason to toos the rest of the Simple Green jug out.

[BlueZero]

Re: Equivalent grit of 0000 steel wool

Why is that? It's been all over my aluminum! Actually cleaned a ton of **** off them.

I've never had any problems but have heard of other that have had issues. I use Extreme Simple Green Aircraft & Precision Cleaner for that reason. Here's a quote from Simple Green...

The aqueous-base and alkalinity of Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner can accelerate the corrosion process. Therefore, contact times for unprotected or unpainted aluminum surfaces should be kept as brief as the job will allow - never for more than 10 minutes. Large cleaning jobs should be conducted in smaller-area stages to achieve lower contact time. Rinsing after cleaning should always be extremely thorough - paying special attention to flush out cracks and crevices to remove all Simple Green® product residues. Unfinished, uncoated or unpainted aluminum cleaned with Simple Green products should receive some sort of protectant after cleaning to prevent oxidation.

[vidrazor]

Re: Equivalent grit of 0000 steel wool

>> Just a FYI but keep the Simple Green away from the uncoated aluminum.<<

Why is that? It's been all over my aluminum! Actually cleaned a ton of **** off them.

[BlueZero]

Re: Equivalent grit of 0000 steel wool

Looks much better!

Just a FYI but keep the Simple Green away from the uncoated aluminum.

[vidrazor]

Re: Equivalent grit of 0000 steel wool

>>You rubbed out paint with steel wool and WD-40?<<

Worked like a charm, actually. 0000 wool and WD-40 and a careful touch works wonders. It doesn't damage as much as you'd think if you're careful. Follow with some Ultimate Compound (which, in my immediate case is actually Ultimate Polish ), Swirl-X, Glaze #7 and #26 wax and a ratty surface is quite presentable again. I'll post the finished pics when I get a chance.

My bigger problem is the raw aluminum. Someone suggested to try English Custom Metal Polish and Restorer aluminum polish on it, supposedly this can put a dent in the pitting. I'll cross my fingers and follow it with #26 wax.

[Eddie6th]

Re: Equivalent grit of 0000 steel wool

Hi vidrazor,it looks like your wheels have a little corrosion similair to allu. parts in my engine bay.I think the steel wool is a good option before polishing.Don't try anything motorised for sanding,as it will not work and make a mess of alu.Hand speed is good.

Another option would be to get your wheels powder coated,and they will clean for you and at least your wheels will be completely protected in the future.It's not that expensive either.For a bike,i reckon 20 - 30$ a wheel.Make sure you find the right place though.Better someone for automotive parts(the heating process is important for wheels).

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Equivalent grit of 0000 steel wool

The painted areas responded well to the steel wool/WD-40 treatment, don't know what I'm going to do with the aluminum yet.

You rubbed out paint with steel wool and WD-40?




Hey if it works for you then go for it, not sure I would risk putting scratches into paint that's already hard to work on due to it's shape and location.

If I use Ultimate Compound on the painted areas of the rims pictured above, will it have any effect on the raw aluminum if it spills over on it?

It shouldn't hurt the un-coated aluminum but it's always a good idea to test if you're in doubt.


As for the aluminum, maybe find a wheel polishing company and let them have the project?

[vidrazor]

Re: Equivalent grit of 0000 steel wool

Yes-no-maybe?

[vidrazor]

Re: Equivalent grit of 0000 steel wool

If I use Ultimate Compound on the painted areas of the rims pictured above, will it have any effect on the raw aluminum if it spills over on it? The painted areas responded well to the steel wool/WD-40 treatment, don't know what I'm going to do with the aluminum yet.

[vidrazor]

Re: Equivalent grit of 0000 steel wool

Well, I damned the torpedoes and used the steel wool with the WD-40. Not bad. I followed it with a wash down using Simple Green to get all the WD-40 off.

I had better luck with the front wheel than the rear, as you can see here:
Front


Rear


I'm not sure what, if anything, I can do about the pitting on the aluminum on both wheels, of which you can see a closer shot of the rear wheel here:



Certainly an improvement, but I'm not sure if there's anything else I can really do here, short of having the wheels painted. :-).

If anyone has any ides, throw 'em out there. Thanks.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Equivalent grit of 0000 steel wool

Thanks. Would there be some kind of ballpark figure? I know it's not exact, but I'm just trying to get a handle on it.

All things being equal? Same pressure, same person doing the work, same surface, etc.


#1000 to #1500 grit?

Just a guess. I've done this before for my slotted mags on the drag boat I owned because they were neglected when I bought the boat. After that I always kept them up.

[vidrazor]

Re: Equivalent grit of 0000 steel wool

Thanks. Would there be some kind of ballpark figure? I know it's not exact, but I'm just trying to get a handle on it.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Equivalent grit of 0000 steel wool

Just approved them, sorry had to step out to pick up a rental car for tomorrow's advanced class.


If you're confident you're working on just bare aluminum then the steel wool will work to abrade off some of the oxidation and deterioration, after than use some terry cloth a quality aluminum polish to bring up the shine.

There's probably a grain to the aluminum in the direction the aluminum was milled, if so then rub in the direction of the grain or machine lines.

If it's coated in any way and you rub anything abrasive against it you will remove the coating, so be careful.

As for a comparison it's pretty much like comparing apples to oranges but #000 Steel Wool is pretty fine as far as spun steel goes, since you're working on aluminum it's a good entry level starting abrasive for cleaning up deteriorating like your wheels have.