Cleaning anodized aluminum

T

Ted Williams

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22065
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Any suggestions for cleaning my aluminum top supports? The usual metal cleaners don't seem to have any effect at all. A scotchbrite pad with barkeepers friend seems to help remove some of the grey but does not restore the shine.

Does wax help to keep them shiny?

Thanks, Ted
 
If Flitz didn't clean it, not sure its worth spending time or money on. What are you trying to clean off of the aluminum?
 
quote:
Originally posted by cmariner32

If Flitz didn't clean it, not sure its worth spending time or money on. What are you trying to clean off of the aluminum?

Click to expand...


+1
 
I'm replacing the top over the bridge that appears to be a vinyl material stretched across an aluminum frame. A shop (Weaver's Canvas) is making the new top, but while it's off I wanted to clean the aluminum frame, if I can. The top is attached to the frame with a rope that wraps around the aluminum and where the rope wrapped, it's shiny and clean. In between the wraps it's turned grey and lost it's shine.

I will probably be selling the boat, if not this year then next, as the maintenance is getting to be more than I can handle and my wife's arthritis makes it hard for her to move around it. Probbly should keep it as almost everything in it has now been replaced or rebuilt. We retired in 2004, bought the boat and have been up and down the east coast and to the Bahamas 3 times so we have really enjoyed it. So will be selling it with some sadness.
 
Flitz or Wenol. If neither of them can do it, it's not doable.
 
For just getting it shiny again, use Flitz and Mother's cleaning ball (don't remember the marketing name) available at auto parts stores. Makes cleaning rails and tubes a piece of cake.
 
Not that it is any help to your present situation, Ted, but, anodized aluminum should never be cleaned with a metal polish type product or scotch brite pads. The anodizing is a coating and can be harmed/removed by using metal polishes or abrasives. Silicon based treatments, such as Rupp's, are best.

But, as I said, once the anodized coating is removed it becomes a different situation.
 
Thanks for all the feedback, this group has always been helpful. I did try the neverdull and it did seem to help. Neverdull is a "Wadding", it appears to be a wad of cotton soaked in a polish and you just rub it on.

Lucky, I tried the scotchbrite on one section and it didn't seem to do much, but thanks for the warning I was unaware that the coating was that thin. All of the metal polishes warn on the can that use on anodized aluminum is "not recommended". I'm not familiar with Rupp's, is it available at marina's or auto stores?

Thanks, Ted
 
Try NOXON. Good for all types of metals and can be found in grocery store. We've been using it for years.

Lady c
 
I'll try to find some of the Star Brite priduct locally. The Noxon looks like it would do a good job on my grill, but I'm wondering if it would be too agressive for the anodized aluminum. I'l get some and read the label.

Thanks all,
 
California Custom Aluminum De Oxidizer and Purple Metal Polish. This is from my fiberglass guy who uses these products on his boat.
 
What ever you use don't use an abrasive cleaner you will never get the luster back once your remove the top coat on the anodized aluminum. My vote is for the silicone based products.
Bill
 
I just use Corrosion Block or ACF-50 on my chrome-anodized alum, but other popular alternatives are Rupp's Aluma Guard or combination of mutltiple applications of Woody Wax followed by WoodyWax Metal Sealant. Everything I use lasts a long time inside the enclosure and short time outside.
 
I suppose that when it gets slightly pitted from the salt water it is over?
 
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