Best way to clean aluminum?

[Retiredguy2]

My aluminum diamond plate truck utility toolbox is very tarnished...can anyone here recommend the best method to restore the original shine? Thank you for your advice.

 

[Stimw]

First you need to know what kind of finish it has on it.
It may be anodized, clear coated or polished.
The wrong cleaner will really do a job on it!

 

[davesl708]

I have used 0000 steel wool and mineral oil and rub lightly to clean the surface without scratching. Lightly will not remove the clear coat.

 

[ShowroomShine]

You can only bring back the shine by polishing. Flitz or a similar polish will work well.

 

[davesl708]

If tarnished the sun may be the blame.
After brightening it up apply some UV blocking polish to keep it bright.

 

[CCWKen]

RV & Camper dealers sell an aluminum cleaner/brightener in a spray bottle. That was years ago so the EPA may have ended that but it worked great on anodized aluminum that started to frost or turn white. You just sprayed it on, wait a minute then rinse off. As already mentioned; If it's the polished finish, break out the compound, polisher and elbow grease.

 

[Copperhead]

You want to just clean the aluminum, find a commercial truck wash and have them use their brightener on it. It will remove all tarnish, like NOW. then you have a good base to bring back the shine if that is your desire. I pull my semi thru a truck wash, and I get all aluminum cleaned with brightener. Side boxes, tanks, steps, etc. Removes tarnish with simple spray on, rinse off.

 

[Retiredguy2]

First you need to know what kind of finish it has on it.
It may be anodized, clear coated or polished.
The wrong cleaner will really do a job on it!

Excellent advice but I am darned if I know what finish it has on it !! It is a Delta brand and I still have all the printed information that came with it, plus the peel off paperboard label but there is nothing anywhere that tells me what finish it has or what to use as far as polishing. Thank you for the input.

 

[timswi]

If there isn't clear on it, Never Dull does a pretty good job and it's cheap...I use it on clear coated wheels to remove road garbage but only after testing for a reaction.

Mothers makes a nice product too..Can be applied with a cordless drill with their buffing pad. Diamond plate makes this a not so pleasant thing, I've been there.

 

[/pine]

Start with as course of steel wool (and light oil, as previously suggested) required to remove any scale from oxidation etc...then go down through the courses...rub/polish the entire surface with each lower course all the way down to 0000....once you get past 00 you can switch from oil to water...it should shine...!

However you might check with some custom body shops etc...there there may be some new abrasive materials that save a lot of labor from the old method above...

Good Luck...