Posted: 3/28/2008 9:47:10 AM EDT
| Was wondering if anyone could help me out. I just cast an aluminum mug and am planning on drinking out of it. I want to wash it out but I vaguely remember back when I did WWII reenacting being told a special method for washing out our canteens (which I think were aluminum). I was wondering if anyone here had experiance with aluminum dishwear and could give me a tip. Thanks. |
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The trick is time. Aluminum builds its own patina, the first few microns are done in just seconds, but a nice hard surface takes a full year. If you like, you can electrolyse the Al in battery acid (anodize) to a hard surface overnight, then boil with distilled water, to close up the pores. (Add RIT die if you want a color to become permanent). |
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Well, I'm thinking you want to use something that will remove other trace metals fron the surface, like the acid I mentioned. After that, it's just a matter of washing out the acid. First, you would want to neutralize it with a base, like a solution of baking soda and water. Then you would want to wash that stuff out really well. I would run it under water and scrub with a brush and some dishwashing liquid, followed by the most agressive setting your dishwasher has. If it has any obvious pits in the metal in the insdide of the container, I would probably not use it for drinking unless you can first grind the pits out. They could contain flux or just be a place for dirt and bacteria to collect. |