If you’re hoping to get the most for your aluminum and scrap metal, you’ll want to be certain that it’s been cleaned. Not cleaning your recyclable metals can have a significant impact on the price you’re paid, as dirty metals can contaminate the recycled output, increase processing costs, and damage costly equipment. So, before visiting your local recycling center, it’s crucial to learn how to clean aluminum and other scrap metals.
Sort Your Scrap Metals
Improperly sorting your metals can significantly impact how much money you get for your scrap metal. So, before you clean aluminum, you’ll want to be certain that you’ve properly separated it from ferrous metals. In many cases, you can eyeball this process, but using a mix of methods may be necessary to fully sort and separate your materials.
Inspect the Aluminum Surface
Aluminum typically has a silvery-white or dull gray appearance. It’s usually not shiny and doesn’t rust. Generally appearing as flat rolls, extruded products, or heavy cast pieces, aluminum has a tendency to scratch easily, which is often a telltale sign.
Gauge the Aluminum’s Weight
Aluminum is much lighter than other metals, especially steel and iron. For the sake of efficiency, you’ll often be able to determine what is (and is not) aluminum simply by picking it up. But, if the material has a high polish, minimal scratching, or visible oxidation, you’ll want to set it aside to perform further tests.
Use a Magnet to Confirm
Aluminum is a non-ferrous metal, so magnets will not stick to it. If you’ve sorted your metals into one pile you suspect may be aluminum and one pile you know is not aluminum, you should now confirm by running a magnet along the pieces you believe to be aluminum.
Dirty Versus Clean Aluminum
Before you start cleaning, you’ll need to sort your mixture of aluminum into two piles: clean and dirty. Clean aluminum is, for the most part, already in good shape and doesn’t require additional cleaning. But, dirty aluminum is contaminated with other materials, which need to be removed or stripped off before the recycling process.
Signs of Dirty Aluminum
- Some (but not entirely) magnetic parts
- Steel bolts, screws, or other fasteners
- Plastic, rubber, or other insulating materials
- Oil, paint, grease, or visible adhesives
- Any signs of oxidation or surface rust
Scrap Metal Cleaning Process
1. Remove Non-Metal Parts
Before the cleaning process can actually begin, you need to strip your materials of all non-metal components, such as rubber gaskets, plastic grips, or wooden parts. If you’re preparing lengths of copper wiring, you’ll need to use wire strippers to remove non-metal insulation.
2. Scrub With a Mild Detergent
After you’ve fully removed non-metal parts, you’ll want to clean the entire surface of your scrap metal. Depending on how dirty your scrap metal is, you may need to use different tools, such as a toothbrush, wire brush, or rag. You should start with a dish detergent, but for stubborn grease, it might be necessary to use a small amount of degreaser.
3. Rinse With Warm Water
Once dirt and debris have been fully removed from your metals, it’s important to rinse them. For most metals, you can generally soak them in warm water to get rid of any left-over residue from the cleaning solution you used. But, if you spot any corrosion on the metal or aluminum surface, you can usually wipe it away using a non-abrasive sponge or soft cloth.
4. Dry With a Soft Towel
As a final step, you’ll want to fully dry your metals. If you leave moisture on them, you’re inviting corrosion, which could necessitate repeating the entire process. Using a soft cloth, gently scrub the surface of your metal until it’s completely dry, free of grime and stains, and visibly clean.
Ready to Recycle Your Scrap Materials?
At Schupan, we want our customers to get the most for their scrap metals. We know how debris, dirt, and contaminants can negatively affect value. For that reason, we encourage customers to thoroughly clean their materials before they sell.
Unclean aluminum commands a significantly lower price, often as much as 50% less than clean aluminum. So, before you pay us a visit, don’t forget to clean your materials, since it could have a pretty noticeable impact on how much money you receive!