How to clean aluminum after lipo fire?

[dure16]

I bought a used car that just looked dirty, but it has become obvious that there was a lipo fire. I hope to clean up the parts and start the build.

It doesn’t seem like the aluminum itself was affected or discolored, but there’s a black tar like substance that just does not want to come off.

Any ideas?

 

[LibertyMKiii]

Probably going to require light sanding or polishing with some aggressive compound.

 

[KratonBuilder]

Spray oven cleaner is your answer! I remove anodizing by soaking parts in the stuff. Easy off yellow cans are the best and it'll take anything off of the surface of aluminum.

 

[Dan B.]

Spray oven cleaner is your answer! I remove anodizing by soaking parts in the stuff. Easy off yellow cans are the best and it'll take anything off of the surface of aluminum.

I was going to say oven cleaner also. Afterwards, you could either polish the parts or just leave them etched.

I bought a used car that just looked dirty, but it has become obvious that there was a lipo fire. I hope to clean up the parts and start the build.

It doesn’t seem like the aluminum itself was affected or discolored, but there’s a black tar like substance that just does not want to come off.

Any ideas?


View attachment 354421

Is that stuff from a 1/5?

 

[LibertyMKiii]

The oven cleaner will usually leave a pretty dull finish.
I'd try the compound buffing first. If it does not work then you have to either sand it or chemical strip with the oven cleaner.

 

[dure16]

Thanks guys. Good advice. I’ll try some buffing and light sanding, and then oven cleaner if that doesn’t work.

Is that stuff from a 1/5?

Yes. It’s this conversion kit for a 5ive-T:


https://www.ebay.com/itm/3629276131...GLMtWKkTgS&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

 

[Eno]

Be careful with oven cleaner as it can harm aluminium.

 

[dure16]

Here’s how they look after some steel wool, a lot of elbow grease, and a little dremel work. Not shiny and new but totally usable. Thanks again.

 

[Dan B.]

Not bad, and as you said, they’re perfectly usable.

 

[slick2500]

Hit that up with some mothers mag polish and it will shine up real good.

 

[dure16]

Hit that up with some mothers mag polish and it will shine up real good.

Good idea. Just ordered some!