Welding aluminum comes down to choosing the right welding process. Many tools and methods are designed for welding steel, but aluminum requires its own technique and equipment.

Before even beginning the welding process, the welder must clean the aluminum thoroughly. As mentioned previously, one of the challenges with aluminum is that it is more prone to impurities. Therefore, prepping the material correctly is key. Here are a few tips to follow:

• Use a solvent such as acetone or a mild alkaline solution like a strong soap to remove any oil, grease and water vapor from the aluminum’s surface.

• Use a stainless-steel wire brush (used exclusively for aluminum) to remove surface oxides. This can also be done with a strong alkaline or acid. Always be sure to rinse and fully dry the part before welding. Assemble the joint and cover it if you won’t be welding it immediately. This will prevent dirt or grit from contaminating the joint. Always keep your aluminum dry and stored at room temperature. It should be welded within a few days, and if it’s not, clean the joint again.

• Safety is another critical component to welding aluminum, or any material for that matter. Always ensure you wear the proper protective equipment such as goggles, safety glasses, a welding helmet with the appropriate lens shade number to protect your eyes, gloves and leathers to protect yourself from metal sparks and splatters, the proper shoes to protect your feet and proper fume ventilation to keep the welding fumes away from your breathing zone.