Getting ready to cleanup the window frames and want to know what common chemicals NOT to use to dissolve the adhesives from old weatherstripping. I'm talking commonly available items such as acetone,lacquer thinner and such. Hate to be trying to do some good and do some permanent damage!
Simple Green cleaner. It will ruin the finish on any kind of aluminum.
I'll second this one! Just did it a couple weeks ago. It's environmentally safe after all - or so I thought. Not plasticoat environmentally safe.
I sprayed the belt line. The went around the trailer right after with a carwash mitt. It left milky streaks in the coating where it ran down the side. We were able to wax most of it out with a brand of wipe on/off Turtle wax and a microfiber cloth. You wouldn't really see it but I can....
Thanks Mike,
Must be some chemists or metals experts out there that know in general terms which chemicals will ruin aluminum then we could check the ingredients if available or MSDS info. Wonder what the ingredient in Simple Green is that is harmful to aluminum? Just checked the label on Simple Green and it says do not use on plastic, leather, suede, unfinished wood, opals or pearls. Nothing about aluminum, so an unsuspecting person like me, but one that does not ask, could cause problems for themselves.
Last edited by SilverHoot; 09-15-2009 at 04:47 PM.
Reason: wording
Thanks Mike,
Must be some chemists or metals experts out there that know in general terms which chemicals will ruin aluminum then we could check the ingredients if available or MSDS info. Wonder what the ingredient in Simple Green is that is harmful to aluminum? Just checked the label on Simple Green and it says do not use on plastic, leather, suede, unfinished wood, opals or pearls. Nothing about aluminum, so an unsuspecting person like me, but one that does not ask, could cause problems for themselves.
Yeah, I sprayed some on my kitchen countertop and some excess spray got on my aluminum backsplash. Fortunately, it's at the very bottom and you don't see much but the spots won't come out. Others on this site can attest to this, too.
__________________ Sterling - 1972 Sovereign Intl (RB) Eddie - 2003 Ford Excursion (6.0L PSD) Prodigy Brake Controller / Equal-i-zer Hitch / Honda EU2000i x2 Airstream Life Contributor WBCCI 4CU #5661/AIR #5661
I used to be the plant engineer at a major railway overhaul shop. We had huge
steam-heated caustic vats the size of swimming pools for cleaning baskets of engine parts & such.
If anyone made the mistake of putting any aluminum items in the caustic vat, they would soon vanish!
Brian
(PS I suspect Simple Green may be mildly alkaline (Caustic), not sure though.)
Most Mfgs. make their product data sheets available on line, and they usually state what materials should not be cleaned with their product (though not always).
The big thing to avoid are caustics such as Sodium Hydroxide. The other concern with chemicals is prolonged contact when they become trapped between faying surfaces of seams, or crevices. They can really attack some metals when given enough time.Just some random thoughts.
Hope this helps.
__________________ Experience can be a difficult teacher...You usually get the lesson first...And the instruction afterwards...
Take a look at many car wash soaps and/or dishwashing liquids. Many contain a form of ammonia which can be detrimental to the clear coat and Alcoa finishes also.
Jack
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Jack Canavera
STL Mo. AIR #56
'04 Classic 30' S.O.,'03 GMC Savana 2500,'08 Vespa GTS 250
I just replaced all the windows and weather stripping in my Trade Wind. I found that lacquer thinner was the best in dissolving the old adhesive, tried all kinds of stuff. For the really dried stuff, Dremel has a scotchbrite buff you can chuck up in the Dremel and it get any residual adhesive and sealants. There are 2 grits, the course will scratch the Alum. skin if you get it on that but on the window frames they saved me hours and hours of scrubbing with 000 steel wool.
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