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| | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 1,624 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: May 2005 Posts: 1,624 | OK, this question is for the guys/gals who know how to take the dullness out of aluminum. I run a streetrod with tons of bling-bling. When I polish my flat aluminum valve covers with whatever (Bushe's alum. polish, Semichrome, Mothers), I can't get rid of the haze. I've tried all kinds of polish and every towel/cloth I can think of. What do you do to get rid of the haze on "show" aluminum? Thanks
Six volt guy living in a twelve volt world
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2001 Posts: 3,887 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Jul 2001 Posts: 3,887 | sounds like you may have anodized aluminum ... need to get that off if so, and in any case you'll likely need to start with fine sanding, up to 2000 grit, and then on to rubbing/polishing compounds with a good power buffer - it's very tedious to get a chrome-like shine on aluminum and hard to keep it that way short of clear coating
Bill | | | | | Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 51 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 51 | Have you taken down to the local truck stop and asked the detail guy in there what he uses?
If I want something to shine I use a produck called Fab U Luster from a jewelery supply house and a muslin buff. | | | | | Joined: Nov 2004 Posts: 1,552 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Nov 2004 Posts: 1,552 | Clean anodizing can be removed with Easy-Off oven cleaner, followed by buffing with a good polishing compound. | | | | | Joined: May 2010 Posts: 85 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: May 2010 Posts: 85 | Cornstarch.
I'm not joking. Try it.
Do something! Even if it's wrong!
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2002 Posts: 467 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Sep 2002 Posts: 467 | You can check to see if it is anodized using a testlight or multimeter. Anodizing won't conduct electricity.
I did a whole grille on a 74 Econoline, using stripper from Caswell Plating. Lye works as well but has no buffering agent so you have to be careful with how long you expose it to the surface. | | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 1,624 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: May 2005 Posts: 1,624 | Cornstarch??? How do I use it? I'd try chichen poop if it would work. BTW, the covers are not anodized.
Six volt guy living in a twelve volt world
| | | | | Joined: May 2010 Posts: 85 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: May 2010 Posts: 85 | Put cornstarch on a rag and start rubbing. I use it on aircraft parts if I have hazing issues on brightwork...(polished metal)
Do something! Even if it's wrong!
| | | | | Joined: May 2010 Posts: 85 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: May 2010 Posts: 85 | I had a thought....is your aluminum clear coated? You can try cornstarch anyway, but if it's cleared....you have bigger issues.
Do something! Even if it's wrong!
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 354 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 354 | Alkaline cleaners (oven cleaner, greased lightning, lye etc.) will etch aluminum.
Harold Wilson
41 Chevy 3/4 Ton
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 71 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 71 | I always use 2000/2500 grit paper and wet sand away. Then it's off to the buffing wheel. Got to have those cotton gloves in a container of cornstarch so they are nice and dusted! Comes out great everytime. (I get used to the 'hands cramping' after a bit from the wet sanding- no biggie).
1st Gen. Dodge Cummins 4x4 OVRTRQD Buick GNX #276
"If it died... we can fix it" | "If your not outraged, you're not paying attention." | "Do you know a large group of baboons is called a Congress? That explains a lot." ~author unwn
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2011 Posts: 10 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Jul 2011 Posts: 10 | regular old fashioned flour and your power waxer works great. i use it on semi truck rims and it polishes to a mirror finish | | |
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