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[theolodian]

What is really good for cleaning aluminum, and leaving it looking nice?  Polishing is not an option.  Citrus cleaner?  

I have a lot to clean, so an effective cleaner would be really helpful.  Best if it doesn't kill plastic either.  Cheers.

[Golfbuddy]

What sort of alumimium? Is it anodised or mill finish? Where is it? External or Internal?

Bear in mind that aluminium is a soft metal and prone to oxidisation and the faster you clean of this white layer, the faster it will return. Anodisation will stop this happening as will painting.

Hope this helps.  

Edit:

Best not to use acidic cleaners as this may cause surface pitting. Better to use a fine abrasive, maybe like car polish, perhaps even finish with a wax finish?

[theolodian]

What sort of alumimium? Is it anodised or mill finish? Where is it? External or Internal?

Bear in mind that aluminium is a soft metal and prone to oxidisation and the faster you clean of this white layer, the faster it will return. Anodisation will stop this happening as will painting.

Hope this helps.  

Sheet and extruded, external.  Does not appear to be anodized.  Not oxidized, just looks like it has been in a swamp.  Some rust where steel has been touching it.

[Bandit127]

Elbow grease and an abrasive (polish or scotch brite) is the only way that I know.

I know it is possile to chemically polish stainless but not heard of it for aluminium.

[Mr Skrunts]

You need some trade Aluminium Cleaner.

Dilute it to suit the job, Apply it with a spray, leave it according to the intructions, jet wash it off.  Aluminium looks as new.


Last time I used it was on a horse box, all the outside paneling was pitted with corrosion.

Made a furtune that day and still got a bonus.

[theolodian]

Elbow grease and an abrasive (polish or scotch brite) is the only way that I know.

I know it is possile to chemically polish stainless but not heard of it for aluminium.

Not looking to chemically polish, just de-swamp it without tarnishing it.

[HerefordElite]

i have some "Ali Clean" in my garage made by good old 'Hermatite' I inherited it from my grandad's garage so it's well old.

oh and it is basicaly a weak solution of phosphoric acid so not to good around plastic   (as my ecotec cover will testify )

works well though :-/

[Mr Skrunts]

Here you go

Yes, I used to have a car valeting business, so I can say it has been well and truly tested.

http://www.autosmart.co.uk/Exterior%20Cleaners.html

Ali

Was thinking of getting some to clean my Plenum up and any other alloy bits under the bonnet.

[LaserLance]

ve a look under this url http://jennychem.com/cat/cm/cat4?d=804 this is what we use to clean outside of ally tanks on trucks

[Golfbuddy]

Elbow grease and an abrasive (polish or scotch brite) is the only way that I know.

I know it is possile to chemically polish stainless but not heard of it for aluminium.

Not looking to chemically polish, just de-swamp it without tarnishing it.

There you go then. Clean, and then polish with a mild abrasive. Protect with wax and that should stave off the onset of oxidisation.  

[theolodian]

Elbow grease and an abrasive (polish or scotch brite) is the only way that I know.

I know it is possile to chemically polish stainless but not heard of it for aluminium.

Not looking to chemically polish, just de-swamp it without tarnishing it.

There you go then. Clean, and then polish with a mild abrasive. Protect with wax and that should stave off the onset of oxidisation.  

I should add that elbow grease isn't ideal either.  A lot of very difficult places to reach, etc.  Light scrubbing is OK.

As for you other guys, are you suggesting the wheel cleaners in those links?

[albitz]

I find solvol autosol good for aluminum,but it does involve a degree of polishing. :-/