Need Aluminum Cleaning Product Advice

[Wire Weasel]

I have aluminum diamond plate bed rail and tailgate caps on my pickup. It collects some blackish and scaly residue on it. What is the EASIEST / best working cleaner for this gunk? Typical liquid paste aluminum polishes and Castrol Purple / Simple Green will clean it but requires heavy scrubbing. What works better?

Thanks!

 

[oldslowchevy]

I have aluminum diamond plate bed rail and tailgate caps on my pickup. It collects some blackish and scaly residue on it. What is the EASIEST / best working cleaner for this gunk? Typical liquid paste aluminum polishes and Castrol Purple / Simple Green will clean it but requires heavy scrubbing. What works better?

Thanks!

aluminum paste and a high speed buffer. only thing is you will have to do it ever 2-4 months to keep it looking good.

 

[QROdx]

I have always used air conditioner core cleaner (acid) on my diamond plate and antennas.
just spray it on, wait a minute and rinse it off... looks like brand new.
a LOT less work that rubbing paste and working a buffer lol
I've been doing that with the toolbox and rails on my 99 silverado since day one and haven't hurt the paint or the aluminum.
Also used to spray the pontoon boat down once a year with it and it shined the whole summer
I get my acid from a buddy who is hvac but I'm sure you could pick up a gallon at the local "do-it" center.

 

[Wire Weasel]

I have always used air conditioner core cleaner (acid) on my diamond plate and antennas.
just spray it on, wait a minute and rinse it off... looks like brand new.
a LOT less work that rubbing paste and working a buffer lol
I've been doing that with the toolbox and rails on my 99 silverado since day one and haven't hurt the paint or the aluminum.
Also used to spray the pontoon boat down once a year with it and it shined the whole summer
I get my acid from a buddy who is hvac but I'm sure you could pick up a gallon at the local "do-it" center.

Hey thanks bud! I have that on hand. Will try this weekend

 

[Rb30]

I use scowrer pads like you use to wash up your pots and pans. It works a treat to bring alloy back to a shine before it is welded etc. if you use a fine pad it will not score the alloy

 

[Captain Kilowatt]

I used Armor All Extreme aluminum rim cleaner. It takes all the gunk including brake dust stains off the aluminum wheels. It is actually an acid of some sort.

 

[mackmobile43]

If you have a polished surface and use those acid base cleaners that strip the oxidation it can be used at too strong a mix and actually burn the outer surface and then a repolish will be in order.

At your local automotive dealer there is a polish that comes in a can and is a cotton tic that is saturated with a cleaner/polish that when applied turns the surface black and when dry and wiped away is the safest manner for cleaning aluminum.

Or you can make you own home made polish

 

[MitchellB]

They used to hire a company to acid wash aluminum semi-trailers where I worked that worked pretty good. They would spray on the acid wash and pressure wash it off with the crud. You'll have to wax it afterwards or it will turn dull.
Aluminum Cleaner - Non- Toxic Aluminum Cleaner For Cleaning Bare Aluminum
The Right Aluminum Brightener for Tough Jobs - 800.545-2768

 

[IDIeselman]

Wire Weasel, Metalwax is the best I have found and I have tryed them all. It actuall does work just like the video and the shine is very long lasting. IMHO diamond plate should shine like a mirror. Click here > http://www.metalwax.com/videos.html and scrool down. Go to the home page for ordering info.

 

[Se7en]

Try some of this:

Works really really well!

 

[QROdx]

heheh ^^^^^

Yup good ol' mercury works wonders on aluminum
**do not try this at home**

 

[QROdx]

oops double post....

 

[Se7en]

heheh ^^^^^

Yup good ol' mercury works wonders on aluminum
**do not try this at home**

It's really fun stuff to play with in the right enviroment of course

 

[Captain Kilowatt]

It's really fun stuff to play with in the right enviroment of course

You must have played with it a lot as a kid right? :laugh:

 

[Se7en]

You must have played with it a lot as a kid right? :laugh:

I still am a kid, to you anyways grandpa !!