While looking at a suggested paint system from Stewart Systems, I noticed this product of theirs called EkoEtch that is an aluminium primer that, amongst other things, is effective against oxidisation.
Intrigued I ordered a quart from Aircraft Spruce and used it on a scrap skin piece that was fairly badly oxidised. A couple of applications and I had this
Very little effort and it is almost entirely clean! I think with a less diluted mixture I could have done it in one go. This is highly preferable to my current technique but it needs a water source for rinsing and a place for water to run off so I would have to drag the wing out to the aircraft cleaning area – and hope the wind doesn’t blow it away.
Of most concern is how safe it is on the metal. I don’t know much about metal but I’ve read that the aluminium used on our kits is of a certain kind and you can’t use certain polishes on it. I need to find out if this is something you can use without problems.