How do you clean magnesium?, the squirrel fan specifically Options

[purple]

Hey guys, just wondering, is there some chemical method to clean the squirrel fan?

I wont be doing any blasting, just to head off the suggestion.

I want to clean the fan with some sort of chemical as i think if i go after it with a wire brush i'll break fins (which is the whole reason i got a 'new' fan to begin with)

Soooo, what do you guys recommend?

I found a site that said DONT use lemon juice as it blackens it. I heard some 'no scrub' cleaner in a bath.

Could I put it in the dishwasher after I remove the pulley?

Thanks guys!

[GS Guy]

I tried a few different treatments on my mag transaxle case. First was a general "grease and gunk" removal cleaning, and to be honest mineral spirits worked way and above the best for this. You can get the no-odor type now which works great and doesn't stink!
Still had lots of "barnicles" so proceeded to use abrasive scotch discs and pads, both by hand and rotary tool. This did a very nice job removing the scale, but left an uneven coloring of the case (semi-shiny where abrasives were used, dull gray elsewhere). I wanted an even finish, and was planning on using the Gibbs product to protect the magnesium long term. I then tried applying some of the KBS Coatings Rust Blast, which is the pre-treatment prior to applying their POR 15 like top coating. This seemed to lightly "convert" the mag to a darker but uniform color all over, which once rinsed and dried left a pretty even nice gray color that lightened up some over a day or so. I then sprayed it down with Gibbs and was looking good!
However, shortly after that the tranny innards were to be sent out for the Evil treatment, and once the case was fully stripped down it needed re-cleaning. I once again used the mineral spirits, followed immediately with an Orange based liquid cleaner (my favorite water based degreaser), water rinse and dry. Case now all nice and clean, but all traces of the Gibbs now gone. After sitting now for a few weeks its starting to get that whitish powdery residue on the metal.

I need a finish that will take well to periodic soap and water cleaning, keep a nice good looking finish and not need time consuming re-treatments of the Gibbs, so have decided to paint it. For now, the plan is (once re-assembled) to re-treat it with the Rust Blast, rinse and dry very well, then use a self etching primer followed by either Rustoleum industrial aluminum paint - or I "may" try some Duplicolor dark gray wheel paint, which is supposed to be durable and looks good too! Looking for a low maintenance but good looking finish to keep the trans looking new.

YMMV!
Jeff