PVC tube motor casing cleaning

[Bruce R. Schaefer]

I think Elvis or some other member or members did/do this. But I made a 3″ x 24″ cleaning tube out of PVC to put used motor casings in during a launch and to get shaken up during the ride home. I used about 1/2 to 1 cup of vinegar, Dawn dishwashing liquid and water. When I got home–they had been in the tube about 5 hours, I poured everything out into a bucket, rinsed thoroughly with water to remove the acid from the vinegar. I didn’t have to spend about an hour or longer cleaning everything by hand. They were already clean. Not one smudge of C residue. Clean clean. Anyone else do this with the same results?

[Kenneth ReillyParticipant]

Been doing that for a while, and it does work as good as you say. Forgot where I first heard of it though.

[Bruce R. Schaefer]

Man, it does work, doesn’t it? I think that WAS one of my biggest gripes about high power, those blasted crudded up casings. Glad you got your VA back. That’s one sweet bird. I’m going to go glass with it next year. While nothing is indestructible, I’m tired of having my rockets come back un-spiral wrapped. Ha!

[Ed Dawson]

Do you have a problem where the vinegar eats into the anodizing after such a long bath?

[Bruce R. Schaefer]

Do you have a problem where the vinegar eats into the anodizing after such a long bath?

Not yet… and, honestly, that’s my only concern. Acid and metals, even anodized ones, aren’t a good combination. Don’t want microscopic pits that will lead to casing failure at some time in the future. I think the next time I’ll just use the Dawn dishwashing liquid; it’s also good for getting oil stains out of driveways, pretty strong stuff.

[Kenneth ReillyParticipant]

I haven’t seen any evidence of this bath causing any change beyond the cleaning. From the Wikipedia:

Aluminium, when exposed to oxygen, forms a thin layer of aluminium oxide on its surface which is relatively resistant, so that aluminium tanks can be used to transport acetic acid.

The aluminum oxide layer formed by anodization is much thicker , so I would expect that it would take a very long time to see any effect from exposure to even pure vinegar, which is typically only 5% acetic acid. IMHO the vinegar/water/detergent solution is an effective and harmless wash.

[Bruce R. Schaefer]

Hmmm… good evidence, Ken. Thanks!

[Conway StevensParticipant]

Actually personally I have had a case eaten by Vinegar. I also know James has had one eaten by Simple green. Both cases were longer term exposure for a day or 2. So it can happen. Unfortunately Wikapedia is not a complete factual based report on all stuff.

[Bruce R. Schaefer]

Okay, depending on what type of anodizing is done on the motor casings, one type–can’t remember which–is second only to diamonds in hardness and strength. Anodizing hardens the aluminum oxide. However, it is still porous. Thus, acetic acid can still do damage over time by eating away the oxide, though the oxide is replaced once exposed to air. However, there will always be a pit there. Motor casings must take a great amount of pressure; holes or pits are bad. Ken, even though acetic acid can be transported and stored in aluminum containers, there’s no mention of how long those containers last or if they must withstand great amounts of pressure. So, as it stands now, I’ll just try the Dawn dishwashing liquid and only use vinegar for a quick soak at home, if needed. I appreciate everyone’s opinion on this. I just realized that I threw my foreward seal disk for the 38/720 casing in the trash, which went out yesterday. Oh, man… 🙄

[Ken PlattnerParticipant]

I use a bottle brush sprayed with simple green. Takes about 2 minutes to clean the entire tube. I then rinse really well with water. Bruce, I have a seal disk if you need one…

kp.

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