Date: Fri, 31 Jan 1997 13:24:02 -0800
From: Brian McDaniel <bjm@earthlink.net>
To: baidarka@lists.intelenet.net
Subject: Re: Cleaning options
CHARLOTT.KBARRY wrote:
>
> Building update: I have started bending 1/2" tubing and have been pleased
> with the results. I have just purchased a 240V heater for the garage since
> working with metal at 30 degrees was not fun.
>
> My brother has another question (thanks for the previous responses). The
> building guides recommend Acetone to clean the parts and the lashings before
> epoxying. Would spray ether (with no lubricant) also work? Anyone use this
> for this purpose?
>
> Thanks in advance, Ken Barry (kbarry@charlott.epri.com)
Hi Ken,
I wouldn't use spray ether near that heater of yours...
You could use acetone to cleen the Al tubing & lashings, but I can't
think of a better way than what I did for my boats:
Clean the tubing,at the point where you will lash, with wet steel wool
or brillo pad. Rinse well and dry. Apply alodine solution to Al
immediately. Alodine is inexpensive & can be purchased where you buy
epoxies or metal prep products & is a mixture of chromic acid and nitric
acid in solution. It changes the surface molecules of the Al to be more
effective with the epoxoids & protects from oxidation. Clean lashing
material with acetone (nail polish remover) to remove hand-grime. Apply
form of penetrating epoxy sealer. Bought mine from Smith & Co. in
Richmond, CA. The stuff is invisible, remains very flexi and is very
strong. That's it, the best way I know... Hope this helps.
Best wishes,
Brian McDaniel, Marin County,CA