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From: [email protected] - Kiwi in Oz
Date: 02 Jan 2003
Time: 20:58:53
Remote Name: 202.67.113.16
The major rule here for 7 restorers - Don't use any non-Ali impliment to remove corrosion! Even a lead pencil mark will leed to galvanic corrosion on Aluminium. Use of mechanical removal of corrosion was permitted and routine on strike aircraft at the time I left the RNZAF. I was a surface finisher (Spray painter) The best device if you can obtain, is a linisher fitted with an Aluminium Oxide abbrassive belt. 3M plastic "rollocks" are great. Also plastic scouring pads (3M "scotchbrite") and AliOx abbrasive grit paper. Generally, paint was removed with plastic grit blasting, though walnut shells are now also used as this is even kinder to the substrate. Never use sand or garnet grit. The silica in sand will still cause corrosion, as will carbide grit paper. Next is chemical cleaning. Deoxidine was the go. Cautions; this stuff is acid! Use goggles and gloves. Only use where all surfaces can be washed clean THOROUGHLY. Scrub with 3M scotchbrite pads. Do not use on seams as this will aid the electrolytic process. This is some times seen as filiform corrosion - a meandering worm under the paint. Disimilair metal joins on strike aircraft were sealed with PRC. This is a plastic rubber coating, thought that is not the meaning of PRC. This stuff is highly toxic, but a more user friendly solution must be available. More to come...