Burnt Aluminum, damnit

[speedyejl]

Ok, I know Aluminum doesn't burn, but here is the problem

I took the loctite off my trixes breech knob, since it was red loctited on just heated it up no problem. But there was a carbon build up on the knob. The rim of the knob is knurled and isn't being responsive to most cleaning solutions and brushing. I've tried bleech, fantastic, goo-be gone, and windex. Anyone else have something to recomend?

[ExtremeODD]

try gas?

[speedyejl]

gas?

[ExtremeODD]

gasoline, i use it to clean, it might work

(if it does not work, u can just start it on fire and see if that works)

[speedyejl]

gas to clean something thats an idea

Wouldn't want to light it though, fire was what caused this in the first place

[p8ntball1016]

aluminum does burn. i think it gives off some kind of toxic gas. its deadly in large amounts.

[ExtremeODD]

yeah it does, i found out the hard way when i made an aluminum weed pipe

[speedyejl]

Lets confirm that before I give up hope.

Sure the reference your making isn't from a movie where a couple of people in the army didn't want the Bradley fighting vehicle entering service because the aluminum armor would give off a gas when burnt?

Actually im sure it doesn't burn, its Aluminum!! You can't break down an element, even annodized aluminum because its Al02 (emperical, didn't bother to balance out charges [if even applicale]). Now if the dye burns thats a different story. Anyhow I'm pretty sure this is just carbon built up on it from the loctite burning and ambient dirt

[ExtremeODD]

take some aluminum foil, and hold a lighter under it, it lets off fumes and like crinkles up

[Mag Master 04]

some kinda solvent...like uhhh studdard or sumthin like that, we use it at work but i dunno if its availible to the public

[Python14]

Aluminum burns....sorta. It just turns into a gas, which is also know as Aluminum Oxide(Oxygen being the key ingredient in Pyros favorite carbon gas, fire). Aluminum Oxide is deadly, and thus, not to be played with by small children and/or household pets.


Regardless, try using some gas. That or carb. cleaner. One or the other should do the trick.

[lew]

Originally posted by speedyejl
Lets confirm that before I give up hope.

Actually im sure it doesn't burn, its Aluminum!! You can't break down an element, even annodized aluminum because its Al02 (emperical, didn't bother to balance out charges [if even applicale]). Now if the dye burns thats a different story. Anyhow I'm pretty sure this is just carbon built up on it from the loctite burning and ambient dirt

Annodized aluminum (AlO3) is a compound and can be broken down.

Try using gas to remove the build up. It is an excellent solvent. The build up is, most likely, leftover Loctite. Heat it up and scrape it off with a pick.

[Beemer]

Try isopropyl alcohol, or a polishing compound like flitz or Maas. Or soak it overnight in efferdent. Is it anno

[speedyejl]

Yes annodized aluminum can be broken up, but its just going to give off oxygen, which won't cause build up. It will just evaporate off when broken down.

Also look

http://www.elairsmiths.com/aluminum.mpg

[Python14]

Ever watch someone weld aluminum with an Oxy-fuel torch? One thing you will notice is that they usually have a fan behind them to direct fumes away, or some kind of fume extraction device. This is to get rid of the Aluminum Oxide. Aluminum will burn, trust me. I've done it before and I'll do it again.


Regardless, the crap on your breechknob is probably a combination of resolidified aluminum covered in dried anno and dirt. The best thing to do is take a steel brush(has to be steel) and brush it off. Only go in one direction, none of the sideways crap.