Quote:
Originally Posted by big job
all I can add is back as a teen block in a 55 gal drum with water and lit a fire not long
water started bubbling and I kept stoking the fire. My father poured something in the
boiling water I suspect lye but I didn't ask that did the trick and block came out super
clean.
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The chemical name for Lye, is Sodium Hydroxide and is the active ingredient in "Hot Tank" solution. In my mechanic days, I used a hot tank often. It takes everything off and eats aluminum. It does not hurt cast iron or steel and works, over night. The only thing you need to do, after taking it out, is wash with clear water, blow it off with air and oil it, if your not going to use it in a short time. You need to wear rubber gloves and wear safety glasses when putting block in or taking it out. Your block will look like it would when you bring it home from the machine shop.
Soda Ash or Sodium Carbonate is a cleaner and stain remover. Safer to use but, won't clean, anything like a heated, or even cold, Sodium Hydroxide solution.