How easy is it to repair aluminum products with Alumaloy?
It really is easy to do repairs with Alumaloy. You can do it with just a few tools and it isn’t complicated. Once you have done it a few times there will be little reason to throw things out that seem hopeless.
Tools you may need:
- Aluminum Repair Rod(s) “Alumaloy rod(s)“
- Wire brush for cleaning aluminum
- Sand paper for cleaning aluminum
- Pliers to hold Alumaloy rod
- Propane torch to heat aluminum
- Gloves to protect your hands
- Safety glasses or face shield to protect your eyes and face
- Stable work surface or vice to support the aluminum product needing repair
- Rags for cleaning
- Draft free work area
How to repair aluminum products with Alumaloy:
- Be sure to use appropriate safety gear to protect eyes and hands.
- First identify the break. Then situate the aluminum product in a stable position on a flat surface or with a vice. This will keep it from moving while you work and keep you safe. This area should be open but draft free.
- Once the aluminum in need of repair is secure, clean the break of debris. This may just mean a wipe with a rag up to a vigorous brushing with a metal brush or sand paper. DO NOT USE DEGREASERS OR CLEANERS THAT MAY BE FLAMABLE!
- Now that the aluminum break is clean and ready, you will use your torch to heat the aluminum. Do not heat the Alumaloy rod. You want the heat of the broken aluminum to melt the Alumaloy. Keep the heat in motion over the area you are working with. Test the surface for temperature by pulling the torch away and touching with the Alumaloy rod to it. When the Alumaloy melts and starts to flow freely you are at the optimal working temperature. You will need to reheat that location from time to time to keep the Alumaloy flowing. Work the Alumaloy into the broken area, letting it fill in the hole or crack, switching from heat to Alumaloy.
- Once the break is covered thoroughly, allow to air cool. After the aluminum product is cool you may need to sand or grind it to smooth the surface or reshape it. This step all depends on the use or needs of the repaired aluminum product.
It is just that simple. Alumaloy was designed so anyone can use it to make repairs on everyday products. You don’t have to have special skills or be a welder to use it. Common sense, patients, Alumaloy and a few tools will see you repairing all sorts of aluminum products. Never again will you have to throw something out because you do have the skills to restore them.
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