Scrapping Aluminum Framed HEPA Filters - Beginner Scrapper

I am new to scrapping so please be patient with me. I have 85 HEPA filters (unused) that have expired. They have an extruded aluminum frame and the paper filter material. I started to tear one apart and see what's what with them. The paper tore out easily and I found aluminum strips in the paper. The problem I have is that the inside of the aluminum frame has plastic glued to it and there is foam tape all around one side. To get the best price for the aluminum should I try and remove the plastic and stuff? These frames are pretty heavy and thick. The filters measure 20.625" x 44.625" x 5.875". I greatly appreciate any advice. Thanks for your time.



add an h t t p : / / to the address below to see an image of the filter. (It won't let me post a link)

i47.tinypic.com/i43dom.jpg

Can you slide a box/utility knife down the al to remove the plastic? Maybe grab it with a pliers and yank it off?

It was glued on with polyurethane Caulk but I could probably scrape it off. Is it worth the effort to peel it off?

i suppose only you can decide that one meyer

I guess I should have phrased that differently. Will the scrap yard pay one price for straight aluminum and a lower price if it has the plastic still stuck to it?

not really knowing any more than I know about it, you might go with removing the bigger stuff from a few, and taking the separated piles to your yard, and selling the aluminum in one pile, and seeing what they'll do with the leftover mix. Just my guess

I guess I'll just swing by the yard Monday then. Thanks.

Depends on the yard you use, some yards will call it dirty aluminum and only pay you about half of clean aluminum. If it were me I would try and clean it the best i can before taking it in. Just my .02.

What about using heat? Not direct flame but a heat gun maybe

you said you've got 85 of em meyer, try cleaning 5 as best you can, without breaking the bank of course, and drop in there and see what they classify it as, use that to ask questions with. They're buying it, they're standing there seeing it, they'll best tell you what more you can do maybe?

I just realized you were St. Louis, did you just modify that? Chances are you won't be at a yard that has much time to spend with a single customer. (it does help here sometimes to post first in the introductory, and maybe fill those blanks in earlier) You still might try that approach of asking them though, as they'll be the the ones you'll have to deal with before "payday" ; )