Cleaning

[old blue]

Wondering if anyone can comment on what the active ingredient is in uncoated aluminum wheel cleaner.

Looking for a more efficient way to get the stuff besides buying those little throw away bottles at the auto parts stores..

[usmcpop]

Find the brand(s) that are similar to what you want. Look up the MSDS. The nasty stuff on the label is probably what you want to find.

Go on over to http://householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov/ and find the product/equivalent or chemicals of interest. You can then find other products that contain them or products used for similar purpose.

One chemical I noted in a couple is 2-butoxyethanol. It is said to be the ingredient in LA's Totally Awesome cleaner, which is a buck for a spray bottle at the various dollar stores. It is an ingredient in many other cleaning/degreasing products. http://householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov...tbl=chem&id=41

I note that Mothers Polished Aluminum Wheel Cleaner has Oxalic acid (besides 2-butoxyethanol and other stuff). Oxalic acid is "wood bleach" or deck cleaner and is sometimes used to remove rust stains on concrete. It is an ingredient in Barkeeper's Friend cleanser.

Do watch out for stuff that contains Sodium hydroxide (lye) or other very basic chemicals. It can etch Aluminum in short order. It will remove anodizing.