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07-11-2017, 08:45 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Trailer: 2009 17 ft Casita Freedom Deluxe
Posts: 857
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Cleaning aluminum window frames
My Campster has aluminum window and door frames that I would like to clean up. Doing a search didn't bring up any threads that looked like they addressed this.
They are unpainted aluminum and look corroded or simply discolored. If possible, I would like to clean them and brighten them up.
Thanks
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07-11-2017, 11:08 PM
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#2
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Member
Name: Jan
Trailer: '02 Bigfoot 17'
Washington
Posts: 71
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You probably already know this, but start small and gentle to find what works and doesn't cause damage. I'd try an automotive aluminum cleaner first and progress to abrasives if necessary. Bar Keeper's Friend is a gentle abrasive to try, or some toothpaste to see if it works. If your cleaning cloth/pad doesn't come away very black very quickly, you might be dealing with a different finish than you think. Let us know what you try and what works. Good luck!
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07-12-2017, 12:16 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Name: Jan
Trailer: boler
British Columbia
Posts: 160
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Mothers mag wheel polish, white jar and 0000 steel wool, wear rubber gloves, they will shine like the sun
Jan
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07-12-2017, 03:09 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Name: Dave
Trailer: Casita SD17 2006 "Missing Link"
California
Posts: 3,738
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave Fish
My Campster has aluminum window and door frames that I would like to clean up. Doing a search didn't bring up any threads that looked like they addressed this.
They are unpainted aluminum and look corroded or simply discolored. If possible, I would like to clean them and brighten them up.
Thanks
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Dave, there have been a few posts on this. I think Ian G had a thread on polishing up aluminum that was great, came out looking like chrome . Hopefully he will chime in for you.
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07-12-2017, 05:22 AM
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#5
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Member
Name: Chris
Trailer: Trillium 1300
Nova Scotia
Posts: 79
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Following for info.
I've just pulled all my windows out and removed the belly band so polishing aluminum is on my radar. The windows have a lot of rust contamination and I need to removed a lot of old caulk from the belly band. Ugh.
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07-12-2017, 09:24 AM
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#6
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Junior Member
Name: Bob
Trailer: Boler
Ontario
Posts: 24
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I just polished the exterior aluminum on our 1974 Boler with NeverDull - a product available at your local (in Canada) Canadian Tire. Works very well :-)
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07-12-2017, 09:49 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Trailer: 2009 17 ft Casita Freedom Deluxe
Posts: 857
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Quote:
Originally Posted by skyaki
I just polished the exterior aluminum on our 1974 Boler with NeverDull - a product available at your local (in Canada) Canadian Tire. Works very well :-)
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Will it remove the oxidation? I will be in Canada in 2 weeks. I may have to make a side trip.
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07-12-2017, 10:28 AM
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#8
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Member
Name: Gene
Trailer: 2022 Spirit Deluxe
Florida
Posts: 52
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Never Dull is available in the U.S.
West Marine Carries Never Dull. Probably also at auto parts stores.
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07-12-2017, 10:49 AM
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#9
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Junior Member
Name: Bob
Trailer: Boler
Ontario
Posts: 24
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Yes - it removes the oxidation, but not the pitting that may have occurred. The other thing about Never Dull - which I like - it is cost effective
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07-12-2017, 01:24 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Name: Steve
Trailer: Scamp 13
California
Posts: 1,890
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If your planning to do this on the trailer mask off the area with blue tape so you don't get black smudge all over your gell-coat.
For me its clean with barkeeps friend with a soft brush, then polish with Blue Magic. But once you get it all shiny then you have to polish it all the time since its bare aluminium.
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07-12-2017, 02:11 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Trailer: 1972 Boler American and 1979 Trillium 4500
Posts: 5,137
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https://www.autosol.com/ has an aluminum version.
Available on both sides of the border.
FYI I tried it after cleaning and using bar keepers friend.
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07-12-2017, 03:57 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Name: Bryan
Trailer: Casita "Cozy-Casa"
Central Virginia
Posts: 431
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This will get you a MIRROR finish try OUATOR - pronounced "water" if you can find it anymore. Another GREAT product is Wenol -- https://www.amazon.com/Wenol-Polish-...s=wenol+polish
__________________
"Cozy-Casa" -- Visualize whirled peas
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07-12-2017, 05:50 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Name: Ronald
Trailer: Trillium 1979 13ft.
Ontario
Posts: 300
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Polishing Window frames
Use "OOOO" grade fine steel wool with whatever lubricant/polish you desire. Cuts time in half, easily! Keeps the Boler belly band shiny, too!
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07-12-2017, 11:49 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Name: Jan
Trailer: boler
British Columbia
Posts: 160
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also Brasso, its messy cause its liquid but works great. I think NeverDull is the same just with wadding added
Jan
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07-13-2017, 06:19 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Trailer: No Trailer Yet
Posts: 700
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Roy in TO
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I second that.
Expensive stuff ($16 for a toothpaste tube size here in Canada) but turned my aluminium window frames into chrome in no time with my cordless drill and buffer wheel. I was amazed. Worked much better that NevrDull.
I didn't know they have an aluminium version, mine is the regular polish.
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07-13-2017, 06:36 AM
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#16
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Member
Name: Chris
Trailer: Trillium 1300
Nova Scotia
Posts: 79
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Carl V
I second that.
Expensive stuff ($16 for a toothpaste tube size here in Canada) but turned my aluminium window frames into chrome in no time with my cordless drill and buffer wheel. I was amazed. Worked much better that NevrDull.
I didn't know they have an aluminium version, mine is the regular polish.
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I just picked up some Autosol at CT this morning. Looks to be a better price than the Nevr Dull as well. Good to hear it works better.
Couldn't find the aisle with the elbow grease though.
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07-13-2017, 06:40 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
Trailer: 1990 Scamp 16 ft
Posts: 654
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Old school method. Steel wool and mineral oil.
__________________
John Michael Linck - Toymaker
Camping since 1960 - Scamp 13' Oak
Subaru Outback 4 cyl cvt
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07-13-2017, 07:21 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
Name: JD
Trailer: Scamp 16 Modified (BIGLY)
Florida
Posts: 2,445
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Steel wool can contaminate the aluminum and discolor it.
With aircraft we never do it.
This is a camper, however so if it works for you then go for it.
They make truck brightener which is an acid wash and it works well, just rinse well.
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07-13-2017, 11:22 AM
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#19
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Member
Name: Chris
Trailer: Trillium 1300
Nova Scotia
Posts: 79
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As a follow up to the Autosol I bought this morning...I got impatient and tried it out on the drip edge from over the door on my Trillium. Two minutes with paper towel and a micro-fibre cloth gave an awesome finish. I'm sure a little more work can shine it up like new. 40+ years of oxidization gone in no time.
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07-13-2017, 12:50 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Trailer: 2009 17 ft Casita Freedom Deluxe
Posts: 857
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ChrisDunbar
As a follow up to the Autosol I bought this morning...I got impatient and tried it out on the drip edge from over the door on my Trillium. Two minutes with paper towel and a micro-fibre cloth gave an awesome finish. I'm sure a little more work can shine it up like new. 40+ years of oxidization gone in no time.
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Perfect. I was debating between the Nevr-dull and the Autosol. I'm also dealing with 40 plus years of oxidation. I guess Autosol is going to win. I'll have to look for it locally.
Thanks for all the help. I'll post pictures in a week or so when I get a chance to tackle it.
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