Minor Aluminum Pitting

[Perry]

Folks,
I have a Aluminum T-top on my cc that has a small amount of pitting that I'd like to take care of. What product(s) can anyone recommend to clean this up?
Thanks in advance,
Perry

 

[Flutterby]

Basso metal polish. It may take a few applications, but it will work.

To prevent future pitting, I treat my aluminum supports with WD-40 every fall. I just spray and wipe all of them, leaving a thin film on the aluminum.

If you are in a saltwater environment, something which fights salt corrosion would probably work better to prevent future pitting.....

 

[Perry]

Cool, normally I use a metal polish and wax and do leave a film. Unfortunately, the forward section of my t-top caught a bit of the pitting. My polish wax did a nice job on the nice aluminum but nothing for the pitting. Will do the Brasso thing this weekend.
thanks!

 

[Robyns Nest]

Woody wax and bronze wool will take out minor pitting leaving it looking new.

Major pitting might need some light sand paper and woody wax after.

 

[Flutterby]

Brasso works well, but you may have to rub and rub and rub........

 

[Robyns Nest]

Brasso metal polish on anodized aluminum is a (assuming your is anodized) pain in the ass, it's designed to polish metal like brass and stainless, not anodized aluminum. Rupp makes an aluminum polish as does Woody wax. Get the right product for the job.

http://www.ruppmarine.com/Accessories-And-Rigging/Aluma-Guard/Aluma+Guard+-+16oz+Spray-64.html

http://www.woody-wax.com/woody_wax_cpr_system.php

 

[Flutterby]

How does one know if the aluminum is anodized?

 

[Perry]

Robyns Nest,
Thanks for the input. Do you prefer one over the other?
Perry

 

[Robyns Nest]

I use the Woody Wax, it works great on the non-skid as well as the anodized metal.

For the non skid, you clean the non skid, using a damp mop head or soft brush head, apply the woody wax the the wet non skid, covering it with a light coat of woody. When it dries, throw a large towel on the deck on buff it out, easy and it keeps the decks nice and earier to clean for a good period of time.

Jonathan

 

[Robyns Nest]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Flutterby

How does one know if the aluminum is anodized?

---

---

---

If it wasn't the aluminum would be totally pitted and crappy looking within a year.

I've never seen a center console without an anodized aluminum T-Top.

Jonathan

 

[jmas]

You mean rubbing Vienna Sausage on my aluminum tubing wont stop the pitting? And to think I always followed the advise posted here.

 

[Britanic]

After you take care of the pitting, Aluma-guard. Aply like Armoral. Lasts about 3 weeks and makes it look brand new.

 

[SilverBullet]

Do it with Woody Wax. Great product.

 

[Perry]

Folks,
Thanks for the help this past weekend. I bought woody wax, Alumaguard and fine brass wool. T-top came out excellent. Nearly all pitting is gone save for a small 1' section I need a tad coarser wool. Should I stick with the brass wool or should I use the 3M scotch pad (if I remember correctly)?
Thanks again, t-top hasn't looked this good in years.
Best to all,
Perry

 

[Flutterby]

Scotch Pad will scratch! Don't use it. I'd stick with the brass wool and rub, rub, rub......glad it is looking so great now!