cleaning aluminum checker palte

I have acquired a set of Aluminum checker plate running boards that have oxidation on them. Looked at ideas for cleaning to possibly painting them.
Would like some input on the following thoughts; #1 asetone then denatured Alcohale [ isopropal] after a wash down with pressure washer and soap
since it is checker plate can't "sand". [[oops my spelling is off]]
Any one have some other ideas that would allow cleaning before using self etching paint.
Thank you for all your help.
Wm.
 
That seems simple enough especially after taking a pressure washer to it while taking the wire to it in combination. Might even make it a bit more foot safe not so slippery under foot.
 
The metal aluminum when it oxidizes it's like it secretes an oil. It's what turns your hands black when you climb an aluminum ladder. Right before you paint it you should wash it with a solvent such as lacquer thinner or acetone to remove this.
 
If you are going to paint it I would sand it with around 150 grit sandpaper. This will remove the oxidation and also rough up the surface to give the paint something to stick to. Diamond plate will be a pain to sand but I think it will really help the paint stick. I think epoxy primer would be best but not 100% sure. After sanding wipe it down with acetone. Sand and paint all in the same day.
 
Thank you fellow for the information. these are old running boards that have been used and stored in side for I don't know how long so it is good to understand how to clean and treat the AL., so that I can paint them and make a reasonable job of it.
Thank you again.
These sites are wonderful for making and receiving of answers and questions.
Wm.
 
If your not concerned about the aluminum having a "polished" surface just wash them with muriatic acid. It is easy to buy as they use it to etch concrete. So just about any lumber yard or hardware store will keep it and it is cheap. The acid wash will remove all the corrosion and etch it to be ready for paint. Just wash it with soap and water before you paint it. This neutralizes any acid left.

Paint thinners and acetone will NOT remove the corrosion. We run into aluminum corrosion all of the time on the semi trailer frames, fuel tanks and etc. I am not a polish type of fellow. So we often just wash the fuel tanks off with the acid every now and then.
 

Since you are planning to paint, it is OK to etch it a little with the muriatic acid as JD seller suggested. Solvents will do nothing on oxidation. A little brushing with a stiff bristled regular brush will insure removal of the oxidation that the acid loosens. A wire wheel is too aggressive. This will be quick, easy, and effective. The material is called "diamond plate"
 
(quoted from post at 08:09:49 06/22/19) I have acquired a set of Aluminum checker plate running boards that have oxidation on them. Looked at ideas for cleaning to possibly painting them.
Would like some input on the following thoughts; #1 asetone then denatured Alcohale [ isopropal] after a wash down with pressure washer and soap
since it is checker plate can't "sand". [[oops my spelling is off]]
Any one have some other ideas that would allow cleaning before using self etching paint.
Thank you for all your help.
Wm.

Maroon scuff pads and elbow grease.
 
(quoted from post at 07:40:57 06/24/19)
(quoted from post at 08:09:49 06/22/19) I have acquired a set of Aluminum checker plate running boards that have oxidation on them. Looked at ideas for cleaning to possibly painting them.
Would like some input on the following thoughts; #1 asetone then denatured Alcohale [ isopropal] after a wash down with pressure washer and soap
since it is checker plate can't "sand". [[oops my spelling is off]]
Any one have some other ideas that would allow cleaning before using self etching paint.
Thank you for all your help.
Wm.

Maroon scuff pads and elbow grease.


Yakob, have you ever actually done this? I have. In ten seconds I gave up. I would not want to do it on more than a few square inches.
 

Go to an auto pats store and get a can of "Never-Dull". They might just clean up good enough that you will not need to paint them.
 
(quoted from post at 06:41:45 06/26/19)
(quoted from post at 07:40:57 06/24/19)
(quoted from post at 08:09:49 06/22/19) I have acquired a set of Aluminum checker plate running boards that have oxidation on them. Looked at ideas for cleaning to possibly painting them.
Would like some input on the following thoughts; #1 asetone then denatured Alcohale [ isopropal] after a wash down with pressure washer and soap
since it is checker plate can't "sand". [[oops my spelling is off]]
Any one have some other ideas that would allow cleaning before using self etching paint.
Thank you for all your help.
Wm.

Maroon scuff pads and elbow grease.


Yakob, have you ever actually done this? I have. In ten seconds I gave up. I would not want to do it on more than a few square inches.

Cool story, bro. Some of us have more ambition than others.

Have you ever sand blasted a plowshare that was going to be painted for show?
 
(quoted from post at 05:36:13 06/26/19)
(quoted from post at 06:41:45 06/26/19)
(quoted from post at 07:40:57 06/24/19)
(quoted from post at 08:09:49 06/22/19) I have acquired a set of Aluminum checker plate running boards that have oxidation on them. Looked at ideas for cleaning to possibly painting them.
Would like some input on the following thoughts; #1 asetone then denatured Alcohale [ isopropal] after a wash down with pressure washer and soap
since it is checker plate can't "sand". [[oops my spelling is off]]
Any one have some other ideas that would allow cleaning before using self etching paint.
Thank you for all your help.
Wm.

Maroon scuff pads and elbow grease.


Yakob, have you ever actually done this? I have. In ten seconds I gave up. I would not want to do it on more than a few square inches.

Cool story, bro. Some of us have more ambition than others.

Have you ever sand blasted a plowshare that was going to be painted for show?

Could be, could also be more real life actual hands on experience. Experience can be a good teacher, and is actually the usual definition of common sense. Acid etching is also commonly known as a superior preparation for paint adhesion.


On the topic of sandblasting a plow for painting for show, I might if I had an industrial sand blaster on premises, but since mine is relatively small I would stick to my flap wheel. Also if I were responding to a request from someone asking SPECIFICALLY for an ALTERNATIVE to sandblasting, I would certainly not recommend sandblasting. In addition I would not ASSUME that someone were looking to ONLY SHOW a plow when he makes NO MENTION of INTENDED use. I have seen numerous posts with pictures here of plows painted up nice in use at plow days and such. No one who has ever used a land plow would remove rust by sandblasting. Over the years there have been hundreds of threads here about scouring plows, with never a one that I have seen suggesting sandblasting. Maybe there should be one, LOL.
 
(quoted from post at 09:14:40 06/26/19)
(quoted from post at 05:36:13 06/26/19)
(quoted from post at 06:41:45 06/26/19)
(quoted from post at 07:40:57 06/24/19)
(quoted from post at 08:09:49 06/22/19) I have acquired a set of Aluminum checker plate running boards that have oxidation on them. Looked at ideas for cleaning to possibly painting them.
Would like some input on the following thoughts; #1 asetone then denatured Alcohale [ isopropal] after a wash down with pressure washer and soap
since it is checker plate can't "sand". [[oops my spelling is off]]
Any one have some other ideas that would allow cleaning before using self etching paint.
Thank you for all your help.
Wm.

Maroon scuff pads and elbow grease.


Yakob, have you ever actually done this? I have. In ten seconds I gave up. I would not want to do it on more than a few square inches.

Cool story, bro. Some of us have more ambition than others.

Have you ever sand blasted a plowshare that was going to be painted for show?

Could be, could also be more real life actual hands on experience. Experience can be a good teacher, and is actually the usual definition of common sense. Acid etching is also commonly known as a superior preparation for paint adhesion.


On the topic of sandblasting a plow for painting for show, I might if I had an industrial sand blaster on premises, but since mine is relatively small I would stick to my flap wheel. Also if I were responding to a request from someone asking SPECIFICALLY for an ALTERNATIVE to sandblasting, I would certainly not recommend sandblasting. In addition I would not ASSUME that someone were looking to ONLY SHOW a plow when he makes NO MENTION of INTENDED use. I have seen numerous posts with pictures here of plows painted up nice in use at plow days and such. No one who has ever used a land plow would remove rust by sandblasting. Over the years there have been hundreds of threads here about scouring plows, with never a one that I have seen suggesting sandblasting. Maybe there should be one, LOL.

Could also be another boomer with the mindset that his way is the only way.

If you have luck acid etching, that is great. I only brought up the pads as an alternative. Which do you suppose is cheaper for someone with neither "system" set up to do. Sure, if you have all the acid chemicals and a place to do it, and experience to do it properly - great. A screw up or learning curve can get pretty expensive for someone that could do a job this small with $10 in pads that will leave the surface just as prepped.

The point being made about sandblasting was that there is no real good replacement for it and how well it cleans rust from metal. Being in the "paint and body work" forum, it did not seem like a jump in logic that it would be "painted." Do you disagree with that assumption? I totally disagree with your assessment that a flap wheel leaves a smooth finish or that sand blasting would require "significant repair work." Good Lord...just hit the sandblasted one with a wire wheel to knock the roughness down if it's an issue in use (if it does get used..). Do you disagree that a flap wheel has certain disadvantages? You seem to take offense to alternate methods. Can we find some common ground here or are you just going to continue to whine about people that have other views/ideas and "LOL" at them?

"LOL."
 

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