Cleaning & Polishing Adonised Aluminum windows

[NewSurfer]

Refinishing and recaulking aluminum windows on 78 Triple E Surfside. Anyone have some tips and tricks for getting the aluminum that has adonised over the last 40 odd years of weathering? Thanks in advance!

[Byron Kinnaman]

Originally Posted by NewSurfer

Refinishing and recaulking aluminum windows on 78 Triple E Surfside. Anyone have some tips and tricks for getting the aluminum that has adonised over the last 40 odd years of weathering? Thanks in advance!

I think anybody know what you're aiming at adonised isn't a word as far as I can tell. If you're aiming at anodised that's a process when hardened coating is electroplated on aluminum and thus protects the aluminum from corroding and should be left alone.

[bsedwebt]

WENOL - it is an excellent aluminum polish -- looks like a toothpaste tube and looks like toothpaste and simply rub it in and buff it off - will shine like a new dime.

[thrifty bill]

Its not anodizing, its aluminum oxide (how aluminum rusts). +10 a variety of polishes work, but the aluminum oxide will be back. Its the same thing that goes on with polishing an Airstream, just to a smaller scale.

[ststefan]

Autosol is one of the best metal polishes I have used.

Autosol Metal Polish | Canadian Tire

[NewSurfer]

Was leaning in that direction!

[NewSurfer]

Thanks for the info! Appreciate it.

[Carl V]

Yep, Autosol with a cotton buffer wheel (canadian tire has it) on a cordless drill. Works like magic.

[Borrego Dave]

Larry, just a heads up. If you're going to polish them out like Carl said and still installed, be sure to mask off the area around the frames to keep the buffing mess off the trailer shell. If on the bench....carry on .

[k corbin]

Anodizing is done to the aluminum when it is new. That anodized layer can get worn away over the years from friction, from abrasion, etc. When that happens the bare aluminum is exposed and that bare aluminum is going to be much more prone to corrosion.

You have an old trailer, this is the normal aging process. Clean up the corrosion and put a protective polish on the metal. It is now going to be something you will have to do as a standard chore for as long as you own the trailer. Just remember abrasive polishes and overly aggressive polishing is going to remove even more of the original anodizing and that will cause more labor hours and more frequent work for you so be gentle with your baby. Don't aim for a goal of super bright and shiny, it is too old for that. Don't obsess over it not being mirror finish shiny because it never looked like that even when it was new. Just aim to keep the corrosion under control so it stays looking decent.

[k0wtz]

I want to meet that guy that can polish out an Airstream and make it so purtiful!!

bob

[Donna D.]

Polishing aluminum on an all-molded-towable? You need to see what Ian Giles did on his Boler. Check out this page, about 3/4 down are two videos and the info: http://www.proud-canadian.com/13-bol...eyond-1/boler/

[k0wtz]

bryan what is that picture in your sig?


bob

[RogerDat]

Semi Chrome works well and leaves a bit of wax seal. The oxidation actually protects the aluminum under it by blocking air from the surface. Remove the aluminum "rust" and it will come back unless covered with wax or other sealant. Have also used Nev-R-Dull


Buffing aluminum generates black staining crud.

[k0wtz]

roger dat

I have used never dull good stuff an al. and yes it does generate a black stuff. Al is just a different critter in the polishing world!

are you old enough to remember that anodized al. on 57 chevey belaires?

bob

[Carl V]

Polishing windows with Autosol on my 5500.

[ststefan]

Autosol also leaves a protective layer that keeps oxidation in check.

[stude]

Originally Posted by NewSurfer

Refinishing and recaulking aluminum windows on 78 Triple E Surfside. Anyone have some tips and tricks for getting the aluminum that has adonised over the last 40 odd years of weathering? Thanks in advance!

:don't use metal screens use the nylon ones they have now, you can make your own as we did for our MH.
Stude

[k0wtz]

I used to sell stuff called Shiela Shine it good stuff it would work on my 40ft bus with al. sides a lot of it but don't dare take it down a gravel road!

bob