View Single Post
  #7   Report Post  
Posted to rec.crafts.metalworking
Pete C.
 
Posts: n/a
Default A caution about the excellent Castrol purple cleaner

Andy Dingley wrote:

On Fri, 18 Nov 2005 16:16:25 -0800, Grant Erwin
wrote:

It does contain lye, Eric, in which aluminum is highly soluble ..


Surely it's potassium hydroxide, not sodium hydroxide ? Nearly as much
saponification on grease, but a lot lighter on metals.

I'd still be cautious about using it around aluminium. One of the
popular bike cleaners (Muc-Off) contains KOH and is known to damage
Mavic rims. This says more about the problems with the anodising on
Mavic rims than the cleaner though! I'm keeping the cleaner, losing the
rims.


Nope, the label on the 5gal of Zep brand purple degreaser I have says
Sodium Hydroxide.

Pete C.