I've got the 994 internals on the way (thanks John!), so the restoration process has begun. First I removed the SVP light and "custom" brackets and pulled the base from the, uh, other base. I gave the cast aluminum base a quick wash with Dawn, but it obviously needs more attention. PineSol used to be my goto for cleaning aluminum; soak all filthy parts in a tub of water with a very heavy dose of PineSol for a week and most everything came out looking new or nearly so. But sometime in the last decade the makers of PineSol changed the formula and it's nowhere near the same product anymore, unfortunately. And I have yet to find any aluminum safe alternative that's anywhere near as effective as the old PineSol... Anyway, I think PineSol would've gotten the base pretty clean, but it needs more than just that. I'm guessing diluted muriatic acid? Or maybe something a little less aggressive, like sulfuric or phosphoric acid? I'd like to remove the iron oxide stains and whatever else has made its home on the base, and to get a nice and even appearance all the way around.