Don Terrill’s Speed-Talk

Got some medium size cast aluminum parts that will need carbon and oil cleaned up eventually, usually a few cans of brake clean. Will long term soaking them in paint thinner/mineral sprits hurt the cast alum? Figure it's worth a shot to soak them over winter if it saves me a can or two of brake clean.

Paint thinner should be ok. Mineral spirits? MS is hydrochloric acid. Leaving alum in there for any length of time & I think the alum will disappear...

Mineral spirits is not hydrochloric acid.

Paint thinner is mostly mineral spirits.

Muriatic acid is hydrochloric acid


I'd try the paint thinner (NOT the eco crap kind) with an old tooth brush after it's set for awhile.

Thanks for the replys. My dealing with diff acids for cleaning is kinda why I asked but also I am pretty sure Mineral spirits doesn't have any, still idk what's in it and never hurts to ask. My parts washer is mostly paint thinner with some MS in it.

this info might help in your choices

http://www.speedtalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=14901