Best way to remove grime from aluminium?

[skinart]

Hey guys, whats the best product to clean an intake manifold? I dont want it shiney I just want clean like factory look. Ive been doing a bit of googling and apprently there are some acids that can do a nice job but im just wondering if any of you have found somthing that works good.

I like the acid approach but not sure exactly what type to get. and yes the manifold is off the car and fully stripped.

Thanx guys

[Bob Lablaw]

I use cold tank work, its got a week sort of acid, most engine building shops have one. I've also used a steel wire buffing wheel before gives it a dull shine without polishing it hard out.

[skinart]

Is it like the bath they put alum heads in to clean them up? Was hoping I could do it myself if I can.

Yah the wire brush works ok but I find it leaves it slighly blacky cleaned polished and areas that areas stand out from others.

[wolf]

we used a couple of cans of coke on a old set of rims and they came up a treat.

[skinart]

lol gtfo? Like the old penny trick?

So you just painted the coke on and let it sit?

[Parfrey]

mag wheel cleaner work really well, get the acidic type. spray it on and it foams up.. then wash off. just make ure you don't spray it on any polished aluminium cos it'll stuff the finish.

[Godzilla]

Acidy degrease eats into the surface and brings it up pretty clean too.

[EB_Ghia]

try carby cleaner...

i tried some to strip some paint off a ed rockercover here.. it works surprisingly well. and it removed the baked on grime inside the rockercover too. wiped off with a rag.
didnt seem to harm the alloy. but it likes to screw paint though

[bushman]

My old man, bought a 20L drum of ali cleaner, why i don't know, but it works awesome. i think he had to go to like a cleaning supply shop or something like that. put it on foams up, once its finished making you high, you hose it off.