The aluminum metal definitely goes away. I
stand by my statement, and Alclad was not the point.

Bob Seals
M.S. Chemistry

-----------------------------------------------------

Dear Bob,

Of COURSE the aluminum goes away... if you use a strong enough solution or
leave it in the tank too long. But since you DID mention Alclad I think it's
fair for me to have assumed that WAS your point especially since lye has been
used as a surface treatment since Jeeter was pup. (Indeed, it is a REQUIRED
step for some finishes.)

-Bob Hoover (no, I'm the other one)
-Greasy Fingernails (and fifty years experience)

PS - you would have had better luck with your ballons if you'd used iron
filings and sulphuric acid... and yes, acid was -- and still is -- a standard
method of surface treatment for some metals. Visit a plating shop. Or an
aircraft factory :-)