Data Plate Corrosion Removal

[Cold Warrior]

Does anyone know how to get this corrosion off without ruining the plate? Please See image below.

Thanks!

 

[Tralehead]

Try a little white vinager.
If nothing else, try wiping on a little light oil, it won't remove the corrosion but it will make it more readable.

 

[Kimball Knight]

Does anyone know how to get this corrosion off without ruining the plate? Please See image below.

Thanks!

If it's steel a product named OsPho will get rid of the rust. It changes iron oxide to iron phosphate. Iron phosphate is a white substance that you can then rub off with some fine steel wool. If it's aluminum be careful with abrasives as even fine steel wool may leave tiny scratches giving it a satin finish.

 

[Beach66Bum]

I used a soapy SOS pad (the one that already comes with the blue color soap on)
It really brings it back to life! Will not scratch the soft aluminum either.
Just be sure to always have the soap present on the pad.

 

[Cold Warrior]

Thanks for the responses. Here's what I tried:

First, plain white vinegar for 18 hours. It didn't work. No discernable result.
Then, I tried paint stripper, thinking that the the residue was old clear coat. That worked a little but not good enough.
Last, I tried a 50/50 solution of Hydrochloric acid (HCL 32%) and Distilled water. Oh yeah. But it started eating away at the aluminum after 1 minute, so I took it out. The aluminum started to gray.
Finally, I neutralized the acid with water and baking soda, and polished it with Brasso (a little trick I learned in USMC). Success! An acceptable result.

Elbow grease prevails!

See attached.

 

[WYOMIKE]

polished it with Brasso

From being in the Corps I am surprised that is not the first thing to come to your mind
Mike

 

[Pancho400cid]

Looks great! I'd be tempted to clear-coat it, but I don't have any specific product to recommend.

The interweb suggests ProtectaClear. Looks interesting, but I've never tried it (or even seen it).

ProtectaClear Spray


....

 

[timgr]

Corrosion bloom on aluminum is aluminum oxide; won't be touched by acids.
Rust stains would come off with oxalic acid (search here - available as wood bleach).
However, any acid may attack the aluminum metal more than the rust.
Gentle abrasive is likely your best option - as you found.

Clear coat is available at the art store in spray cans.
Used for sealing pastel or charcoal drawings from smudging.
Probably available at the hardware store as spray can too.

https://www.truevalue.com/product/785419/krylon-gloss-clear-spray-polyurethane-11-oz-785419/

 

[compostwerks]

I know that there's a difference between brass and aluminum, but I did clear coat my data plate set after getting them cleaned up. They were in pretty tough shape (oxidized). Patience paid off and I didn't use chemicals. I chose to leave the negative oxidization and just used a tiny block of wood wrapped in very fine emery cloth. Took some time, but was a satisfying task. The rattle can clear coat has held up really well. Before;

After. The clear coat will slow the oxidization. Probably not eliminate....

 

[termin8ed]

so i know for a fact when they acid dip a body, that data plate will be gone. Just the little screws holding it in place will be left.

 

[duffer]

Concentrated nitric acid will remove all corrosion. Of course, it also removes whatever else it was applied to---