Aluminum and Muratic acid?

[Buick Beginner]

Gentlemen,
Has anyone had experience cleaning aluminum with muratic, (hydrocloric) acid? I've got rough looking PS intercooler I want to clean and use. It was involved in a vehicle fire and has some black charing on it that wont seem to come off. The IC didn't cost me anything but I don't want to eat a hole through it though. I've been told that the acid cut with 50% water will lightly eat into the aluminum and give me a dull gray finish of clean aluminum. Any suggestions? - BB

 

[Buick From Hell]

Yeah---wear rubber gloves!!

Muriatic acid WILL clean up aluminum, and 50% water/acid is a good starting point. Also, mix up a batch of baking soda & water to neutralize the acid when you get the aluminum how you want it. Then rinse everything with water afterwards.

 

[captrob]

I would use more than 50% water...

10-20% acid etched my concrete garage real well to prepare it for epoxy. I dont know if aluminum is stronger than cement, but I would start with a weak mixture and work up.
HTH, CaptRob

 

[ITSNOTAGN]

it cuts very fast. i use this method quite frequently to remove the piston scoring from steel sleeves in snowmobiles. usually dipping a q-tip in straight muratic acid and you can literally wipe the aluminum right off the steel. i would say a 75% solution and make multiply passes if you arent getting the results your looking for. promptly follow with a good shot of JB-80, let soak, and clean.
but to be easier, you should just try some carb cleaner first.

 

[Buick Beginner]

Thanks Guys

I'll start off weak and then go stronger from there. - BB