Curated with aloha by
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
The authoritative public forum
for Metal Finishing 1989-2025
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Aluminum rim cleaners
Q. I wanted to know if there is anything that I could clean Aluminum rims that have salt damage done to them?
Never use HF anywhere unless trained!
If you do, you MUST have the antidote gel on hand for instant use!
Calcium Gluconate
for HF acid burns
on eBay or
Amazon
(affil links)
cleaning aluminum rims - Brockport, New York, U.S.
2004
A. To clean and brighten aluminum rims simply apply hydrofluoric acid which is made for aluminum brightening.this is readily available at most auto part stores.use due care and rubber gloves ⇦ this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] as this acid is very aggressive on skin.
Anthony Hopcraftauto yacht aircraft detailing - St Augustine, Florida, USA
A. I'll certainly second that 'due care'. Hydrofluoric acid totally scares the bejeezes out of professional metal finishers.
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
A. I have a hard time believing one can buy hydrofluoric acid in an auto parts store. It must be diluted, or included as a constituent in a product, me thinks/hopes? That stuff will eat right through your skin, and continue to the bone. I would try using "Mothers" polish, but I'm not sure if it would remove the salt corrosion.
Marc Green
anodizer - Boise, Idaho
A. I've used Mothers and it works Great. The only problem is that it takes such a long time, and work. I think I'll try hydrofluoric acid one time. I'll let you all know how I think it works.......THANKS !
Joe Miller- Fargo, North Dakota
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