I found this site and it mentions that a US Army Chinook helicopter was heavily damaged by the use of Simple Green.
The simple Green attacked the aluminum. It mentions that even diluted it is a hazard, as when the water evaporates it leave concentrated Simple Green.
My Simple Green will not touch the Crossfire again.
I only lightly sprayed the frame with it not the engine. Whew!

"It has been brought to the attention of the U.S. Army Aviation Missile Command (AMCOM) Depot Maintenance Engineering Team that numerous units are using the commercial product SIMPLE GREEN as an aircraft wash. STOP! This product has been through Department of Defense (DOD) testing and was determined to be highly corrosive on aircraft aluminum and also a catalyst for Hydrogen Embrittlement. Hydrogen Embrittlement brought down Chinook Aircraft on 10 October 1992, near Fort Richardson Alaska...

 

I soaked an aluminum R/C engine for a week in Simple Green. It turned it dark gray. Never, ever, use this stuff on aluminum!!!

 

I never knew that, thank god the aluminum wheels I use it on regularly are painted...

Thanks 180

 

Thanks, 180. have used it...no more!!! appreciate invaluable information...Carl

 

Well, I guess I'll never soak the xfire's engine in Simple Green for a week, then.

I don't know, guys. I've used it 2-3 times a year (30%) since 2007. The AluMag looks much better than when I bought it.
I do make danged sure I rinse it well.

Me? I'll keep using it. I don't fly.

 

I don't let it soak on engine or the exhaust tips for a long time either and have never noticed an issue.

 

the only place i have used it is on the front bumper ,just before a wash to get rid of the bugs., never used it any where else, I will now use something else on the bumper, just incase there is overspray. thanks for the info,,,see we are never to old to learn something jim

 

Years ago the aluminum gutter on the rear of the house was rear dirty from a overhanging tree. I decided to take my bottle of Simple Green and spray it from the patio. I had the bottle in one hand and the garden hose in the other. I sprayed about a six foot section and hit it with hose almost immediately and the paint was gone. I don't think I have bought another bottle since, more power than I need.

 

RTFM. RTFM. RTFM.

 

I wouldn't pray anything on my paint unless I was 100% positive it wouldn't remove the wax.

I use warm water and a bit of car wash solution on my front bumper to loosen the bugs. Let it soak while you scrub your windshield.

 

^^^ I am having images running through my head of Nick kneeling in prayer by his front fender after a good wax job .......

 

I just hose it down with detail spray, let it sit, then wipe it all off easily. Simplest way I have found over the years of bug covered cars, but sometimes only a wash will do...