I'v been using it for years with good results. One clarification... when you contact the fastener with the bolt clamped in the jaws of the jumper cable you aren't trying to make an arc. Short it down and the heat is generated in the right place. I think this is what you meant, right? Another thing I have found is anodized aluminum is a poor conductor. It works best if you can clamp the "ground" cable to either another fastener or find a place where you can grind off the anodized coating.

It has been my observation that the heat is concentrated at the White Crap where the SS meets the aluminum. One or 2 cycles is usually enough. Impact drivers can finish the job.