Best way to clean aluminum?

square1 · Dec 23, 2015

Another vote for Never Dull. It's a great product!

s219 · Dec 23, 2015

I would not use steel wool on aluminum -- best to use a Scotchbrite pad instead. Steel wool will leave iron on the aluminum, which can result in light surface rust developing later on. Same deal when cleaning stainless steel, it too can develop surface rust when worked with steel/iron tools or abrasives.

Stimw · Dec 23, 2015

Retiredguy2 said:
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.

I would try to contact the manufacturer to find out.
I had a neighbor spray my anodized rims some years ago with some cheap acid that he used on his cheap wheels and it ruined the coating!
Based on the replies I am surprised no one has suggested SANDBLASTING!

Quickster2 · Dec 24, 2015

Do not use real steel wool. 0000 "steel" wool is most likely synthetic and not steel. 3M makes this product which I have used in the past. If it has any finish other than polished than you need to wax it. For horse trailers we can use a 50/50 vinegar wash with Palmolive or Dawn dishwashing soap. This is similar to what a truck wash uses. Of course, you can buy one of many commercial washes just test them in a small area.

PILOON · Dec 24, 2015

s219 said:
I would not use steel wool on aluminum -- best to use a Scotchbrite pad instead. Steel wool will leave iron on the aluminum, which can result in light surface rust developing later on. Same deal when cleaning stainless steel, it too can develop surface rust when worked with steel/iron tools or abrasives.

Agree.
When we stripped aircraft we'd never use steel wool but aluminum wool or plastic 'scrubby pads' was OK. Scotchbrite being one.
For tough areas we'd use wood 'scrapers'.

Once well cleaned I might want to clear coat the surface using what the industry finishes vehicle with nowdays, or another good protection is alodine.
Aluminum, if not protected, will corrode rapidly due to salt or calcium used to melt snow and ice of which the hi-way dept use more and more in great quantities, heck some are now spraying with tanker trucks.

/pine · Dec 24, 2015

I know there can be an interaction between dissimilar metals...but the farther apart metals are listed on the nobility scale the greater the chance of a reaction (oxidation, galvanization etc.) from residual foreign motes ...steel and aluminum are next to each other IIRC. Technically there is always a possibility but not common...steel is used throughout the extrusion process of forming aluminum with no issues and under much more likely conditions (heat,pressure etc.) for molecules to be exchanged...

For something like an aluminum tool box steel wool is fine...the key is using a liquid (oil, water etc.) and going all the way down through the courses (grit) once you get to 4/0 there should be no scratches left big enough for anything but a molecule anyway...polish, wash and wax...!

s219 · Dec 24, 2015

It's not an issue with dissimilar metals, it's that steel wool will leave steel on the aluminum, and it can create rust unless carefully cleaned. Same problem with steel on stainless steel too.

2458n · Dec 24, 2015

Ask someone who details old cars or motorcycles. Never Dull is the way. Just do what you can until your rubber runs out. Take a break and come back. Really brings it back the way it was.