The Ford Barn

Tom in TN · 04-20-2025, 10:58 PM

Hey Y’all,
Got a question and maybe the only people that can answer this are those who like to keep a clean motor.
I am running an engine with an aluminum intake and a leaky Holley carb. This combination it has caused gasoline to stain the manifold various shades of brown in places.
I am not going to remove the manifold (but yes, I AM fixing that carb) but I do want to clean the brown stains off it.

So, what product do you use to clean the brown gasoline stains off of your aluminum intake?

Granted, I should have cleaned it sooner rather than let it buildup, but dealing with cancer makes one put off some things.

What is your ‘it works every time’ solution?

NC Plumber · 04-21-2025, 05:38 AM

I would try some oven cleaner. Carefully at first to make sure it doesn't darken the intake.

glennpm · 04-21-2025, 05:57 AM

Oven cleaner attacks aluminum and could turn the color black. I've used paint thinner, mineral spirts with good results.

Glenn

Terry,OH · 04-21-2025, 06:35 AM

See this posting for cleaning cast aluminum.
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=348446

Tom in TN · 04-21-2025, 06:48 AM

Thanks fellas

BW · 04-21-2025, 07:01 AM

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Try Lacquer thinner.

51504bat · 04-21-2025, 08:36 AM

Maybe soda blasting?

hotcoupe · 04-21-2025, 09:22 AM

To clean aluminum, I always use "Alumiprep 33", or "Bonderite 33". It is 33% phosphoric acid, it CLEANS aluminum, the airplane guys use it.
Tom

04-20-2025, 10:58 PM	#1
Tom in TN Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Murfreesboro, TN Posts: 272	Engine detailing help Hey Y’all, Got a question and maybe the only people that can answer this are those who like to keep a clean motor. I am running an engine with an aluminum intake and a leaky Holley carb. This combination it has caused gasoline to stain the manifold various shades of brown in places. I am not going to remove the manifold (but yes, I AM fixing that carb) but I do want to clean the brown stains off it. So, what product do you use to clean the brown gasoline stains off of your aluminum intake? Granted, I should have cleaned it sooner rather than let it buildup, but dealing with cancer makes one put off some things. What is your ‘it works every time’ solution?

04-21-2025, 05:38 AM	#2
NC Plumber Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2022 Location: North Carolina Posts: 3	Re: Engine detailing help I would try some oven cleaner. Carefully at first to make sure it doesn't darken the intake.

04-21-2025, 05:57 AM	#3
glennpm Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Mid-Coast Maine Posts: 3,346	Re: Engine detailing help Oven cleaner attacks aluminum and could turn the color black. I've used paint thinner, mineral spirts with good results. Glenn __________________ Archives of historical but relevant older articles: ------------- Hover mouse over the links below and click! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~--------------- Rumble Seat’s Notes Techno Source for the 1932 thru 1953 Flathead Ford

04-21-2025, 06:35 AM	#4
Terry,OH Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 5,394	Re: Engine detailing help See this posting for cleaning cast aluminum. https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=348446

04-21-2025, 06:48 AM	#5
Tom in TN Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Murfreesboro, TN Posts: 272	Re: Engine detailing help Thanks fellas

04-21-2025, 07:01 AM	#6
BW Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 322	Re: Engine detailing help Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Try Lacquer thinner.

04-21-2025, 08:36 AM	#7
51504bat Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: SoCal-Redlands Posts: 3,558	Re: Engine detailing help Maybe soda blasting? __________________ Making the simple complicated for over 30 years.

04-21-2025, 09:22 AM	#8
hotcoupe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: imperial,mo Posts: 781	Re: Engine detailing help To clean aluminum, I always use "Alumiprep 33", or "Bonderite 33". It is 33% phosphoric acid, it CLEANS aluminum, the airplane guys use it. Tom