I have an original W-27 cover that someone painted black art some point. Other than that it seems to be pretty nice, with a small portion broken off one of the fins. Since it was on my car when I bought it, I'd like to clean it up, preserve it, and display it.
Any body have any experience safely stripping cast aluminum without damaging it?
Thanks.

 

I'd start with brake cleaner in a bucket with a plastic bristled brush. You should be able to get most of it off with that I'd suspect.

 

I found an excellent Mag & Alluminum polish (Mother's Mag & Alluminum Polish) can get it at most auto stores. It's also great for cleaning/polishing chrome.

 

find someone with a blast cabnet that has fine glas beed in it. it will come out looking new and it will not hurt the aluminum

 

I would use glass or soda blasting to not damage the soft aluminum. Preferred over chemicals.

 

Throw it on the ground in the backyard and leave it sit outside all winter.
No paint stays on any aluminum I do that with.

That brake cleaner may possibly work but is some nasty stuff.
I got rid of mine after reading gearheads post about the ultra-toxic dangers of it and welding/direct heat.

Bead blasting would probably be the best bet.

 

Why not just sand it?

 

There are things like Walnut Shell that you can blast with ...