(800) 853-2651
SHOP NOW

O/T removing oxidation from aluminum

S

steve n carol

Member
Hello,
I am asking here cause I think I can trust most all here.
The aluminum framework on my in laws patio/screen room has 40+ years of oxidation and some pits. They are in the desert and don't get much humidity.

Is there a chemical bath / wash to easily remove the oxidation?

Thanks, Steve
 
go to a local auto parts store get a product called alumabrite, its in a grey spray bottle, also a can of mothers aluminum polish, spray the alumabrite,only the aluminum, then was very well, with water, dry then hand polish with the mothers, they will look brand new, i use this stuff on my big trucks aluminum tanks battery boxes ans wheels works the best for the least work
 
When I was in the Navy we used NEVR-DULL on the metal exposed to sea water. Ship's bell got it every single day.
 
It"s only possible to remove aluminum oxide temporarily from aluminum because of its activity, it rapidly re oxidizes and forms an invisble film. What you seeing on that old aluminum is dirt and other deposits, and the cleaners that the other folks have talked about will clean that off and improve the appearance.
 
At work we use those sanding sponges to remove aluminum crude from Aluminum bar/plate stock, it works well. Just dont get finger prints all over it afterwards.
 
Jewelers rouge comes in different colors.White,red or green is what you want.Then take some lacquer thinner and break a piece of a stick of jewelers rouge and mash it some way into the lacquer thinner until you have it all mixed and suspended in the lacquer thinner.Then put it in a bottle you can shake and get a towel or some cotton cloth even socks,shake,Put a little on your rag,rub it on the aluminum until it turns black,wipe off with a clean rag.That will shine it up fast.Mothers aluminum polish and a polishing ball on drill works after you get it cleaned up good,or Never-Dull.There is green and white aluminum polish already mixed that you can buy but its expensive.Jewelers rouge and lacquer thinner is not real cheap either for that matter.Jewelers rouge cuts through oxidation better than anything I know about.
 
Hi steve,

From the archives on the Tool forum:

Not Updated:

"The "art" of metal finishing goes something like this:

Example: mild steel Coarse grit, medium coarse grit, fine coarse grit, medium grit, fine grit, very fine grit, extremely fine grit, electroplate.

Each one of the steps takes the metal "grain" smoother than the last. If you were to magnify the surface you will see the grain of the metal "standing" up with high grain tops and low grain valley's, something like this, ^^^^^^^^, looking at a end view.

By finishing that surface we smooth that grain down to where the grain tops get closer to the grain valley with the above polishing compounds. The finest we can finish that surface grain structure is electroplating.

Electroplating is taking dissolved metal particles and applying it to "fill" in the grain structure to almost a mirror finish. I say almost because if you magnify a electroplated surface you will still see grain highs and lows.

T_Bone
 
HVAC repairers use a spray on product called " coil brightener ", (weak acid?).Google it and take a look. bill m.
 
There are phosphoric acid based cleaners intended for aluminum. A popular one is Henkel Alumiprep 33. These are typically used on metal that's in good condition prior to treatment with alodine and painting, I don't know how they work on badly corroded aluminum; you might end up with a handful of crumbs. If you have another phosphoric acid-based cleaner around such as "The Works" bathroom cleaner, you might try that out.
 

Thanks guys, this gives me some ideas.

Carolyn is going out and see about "The Works".
also the phosphoric acid and other acids are available too. As mentioned, they are called coil brighteners.

Thank you forum community for your help and fast response!

steve
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Y
New-to-me YM1500D with some issues and questions
Replies
0
Views
26K
yzrmbsg-HT
Y
D
Things I've learned...
Replies
2
Views
951
Dan Newberry
D
L
Whats Your Opinion ? Non-Detergent oil Lead Substitute
2
Replies
30
Views
11K
Hobo,NC
Hobo,NC
Tractor Parts Tractor Manuals

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Copyright © 1997-2024 Yesterday's Tractor Co.

All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.

Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters
Website Accessibility Policy

Back
Top