what to use to clean aluminum frames

[XG Print]

Hey!!!  Just got a bunch of aluminum frames and want to clean them up good before remeshing.....What would you use to eat the tape residue and stuff off the frames....Thanks

[Printficient]

We have a product called Xenzu PAC.  It is an adhesive remover with an ink dergader added.  $36 in the gallon.  $175 in the fiver. 

[mooseman]

We have tried several things like lacquer thinner, Xylol, acetone, ikee-stickee-unstuck, goo gone, general adhesive remover, paint stripper, my wife's coffee and a few others i can't remember. They all work OK but need a bunch of elbow grease. Best if you can score or scratch up the old tape to allow the liquid to get under to the adhesive but a lot of elbow grease works best with any of the above.

On removing stuck on elmulsion, (if it is not the water proof kind) we find soaking the frame in warm water for a little while goes a long way to softening up the stubborn emulsion and you can easily chip it off with a scraper blade.

After all that if you get some SOS soap pads and have at it it it will snap up the aluminum shiny smooth and bright.

mooseman

[Homer]

angle grinder and an air compressor. be careful.

[Binkspot]

Scrape the old tape off then soak in a bath and scrub with a mild acid concrete etcher then flush with fresh fresh water. Use good rubber gloves.

[Dottonedan]

Good post.   I have about 75 screens to clean off with 15 year old tape and stuff on them.

[Nick Bane]

what about something like this to get tape residue off?

http://www.handandpowertoolshop.com/products/view.aspx?sku=7560523&af=1715&cse=1715&gclid=CPKo8unsxLMCFaN_QgodGXYAxw

takes off car trim adhesive and glue, id think id would work good for tape and adhesive on frames.

[Gabe]

huh huh shut up Beavis we are screen printers not body shop worker huh huh
try frog`s masking tape instead of spending big bucks on adhesive remover crap
Gabe

[Homer]

we used the pads for our air angle grinder, they are not sandpaper, more like a rough scotch pad. . .

http://www.harborfreight.com/catalog/product/view/id/7636/category/704/

[Frog]

huh huh shut up Beavis we are screen printers not body shop worker huh huh
try frog`s masking tape instead of spending big bucks on adhesive remover crap
Gabe

Wait a sec here, what masking tape? You mean the rubber based adhesive poly tapes? (I think of paper when I think of masking tape)
That still doesn't help those with old frames with who-knows-what on them.

[Binkspot]

we used the pads for our air angle grinder, they are not sandpaper, more like a rough scotch pad. . .

http://www.harborfreight.com/catalog/product/view/id/7636/category/704/

If you spray a little brake cleaner on the surface it will stop the adhesive from gumming up and clogging the disc.

[Gabe]

that right frog rubber base adhesive,MASKING TAPE LOL
to clean up you can get alcohol and rub rub rub, if you get tired of too much rubbing
call efing sonny he`ll rub it for you

[Chadwick]

Get a real fine nozzle for your pressure washer.
Don't clean the frames with mesh installed though.

And MAKE FOR DAMN SURE you don't use it for exposure washout or reclaiming.
( that would be the disclaimer to avoid ripping your mesh to shreds )

Our pressure washer has a coupler on the end of the wand, kinda like air-hoses.
You can switch out the nozzles.
The fine spray nozzle we have would take flesh off to the bone.
Doesn't do a complete job, but comes close.

Elbow grease is always the best method though.
Some kind of solvent, to help break it up a bit.
Be wary of using anything that will oxidize your aluminum as well, cause..yeah.
Had a kid turn half my frames into white powder generators..that was a wonderful time..
 

[rmonks]

carb spray cleaner and steel wool

[Chadwick]

Yeah, that'll work awesome.
Stink up the shop but it'll get everything spotless.
Wear gloves.
And earplugs cause everyone else is bitchin at ya about it.

That'd be the best method though.

It's all good.

Cheers.