Topic: aluminum needs proactive for its acne

[wardenerd]

I spent today filling the dent on the gas tank and repairing the master cylinder.  The engine is covered by white deposits which I assume are aluminum oxide.  What is the beest way to get it off without weapons of mass destruction
  

[BobbyR]

A palm sander and several grits to remove the oxide. Nothing washes it away. You will need to not only sand off the pits, you need to go down below the dark stains are.

[Alan F.]

If you'll be going to the trouble of sanding it all off, maybe give this a try first.  My father in law is always under the hood of his car shining everything up with silicone spray and paper towels, his alternator looks like it's just out of the box new with no sign of oxidization (it's been through 8 new england winters) he just hoses it down with silicone spray and lets it drip dry. I've got an upcoming project that I'll be trying this on, but it seems to work for him.
-Alan

[Stev-o]

You'll need to sand it......then polish to a nice shine.

[BobbyR]

If you'll be going to the trouble of sanding it all off, maybe give this a try first.  My father in law is always under the hood of his car shining everything up with silicone spray and paper towels, his alternator looks like it's just out of the box new with no sign of oxidization (it's been through 8 new england winters) he just hoses it down with silicone spray and lets it drip dry. I've got an upcoming project that I'll be trying this on, but it seems to work for him.
-Alan

Alan, that is great and I do the same thing. You have to grind the crap off first then maintaining it is easy. Your Dad's method sounds better than mine for maintenance.

[Hannibal Smith]

You can save yourself a bit of labor by de-greasing the aluminum before you start sanding.
Dish soap, and a medium stiff brush for starters.