The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop How do I get bright shine on aluminum

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

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

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.

Clean anodizing can be removed with Easy-Off oven cleaner, followed by buffing with a good polishing compound.

Cornstarch.

I'm not joking. Try it.

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.

Cornstarch??? How do I use it? I'd try chichen poop if it would work. BTW, the covers are not anodized.

Put cornstarch on a rag and start rubbing. I use it on aircraft parts if I have hazing issues on brightwork...(polished metal)

I had a thought....is your aluminum clear coated? You can try cornstarch anyway, but if it's cleared....you have bigger issues.

Alkaline cleaners (oven cleaner, greased lightning, lye etc.) will etch aluminum.

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).

regular old fashioned flour and your power waxer works great. i use it on semi truck rims and it polishes to a mirror finish