"..." wrote:

Paul,
We use alkaline cleaners for removing oil and dirt, these if used undiluted
will even strip paint, they are biodegradable and approved for disposal down
drains, they also do a good job of
 cleaning the drains.

They can be diluted with water to about 25/1 depending on how dirty the
parts are, brushed on or the parts dipped and washed off with water, the
surfaces are so clean that the parts will rust
if not oiled or primed soon after.

These are also approved for cleaning in the food industries.
I have never come across soda as a blasting media, there is a range of
alternatives to the hard
media some of which will almost polish the part, these are used to clean
moulds in the plastics
industry.

The one that is used for removing the paint from aircraft structures when
inspecting or repainting is granulated coconut shells, it does not damage
the metal surface and it can be
removed with vacuum cleaners.
Good to see we have a cnc expert.
Geoff

 
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