Hi everyone, several years ago I used to help out a paint sprayer from a couple of units next to mine with cleaning both steel and aluminium parts before painting. Having a precast concrete business I had access to both a large concrete mixer and large vibrating table. Steel parts went in the mixer with dry black shot blasting sand. The aluminium parts used the same sand in plastic tubs sat on the vibrating table.

I have to say it cleaned them up a treat and far quicker than trying to do it by hand, we used the vibration method on the aluminium parts so they didn't get damaged with the mixers paddles. If anyone wants any help with making a vibrating table just give me a shout, happy to help.
Mike