Cleaning Oxidized Aluminum Panels

[rhk118]

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=176888&d=1671318147

Hoping for some suggestions on how to clean these up. You can see fingerprints on the aluminumwhich then oxidized over the summer, except where the fingerprints are located. I have cleaned these with lacquer thinner, dawn dish detergent, acetone, degreaser, windex, even tried brasso metal polish. No luck. those fingerprints just won't go away and the lighter area won't blend in...Trying to just get the metal to an even sheen so fingerprints are less visible. I even tried armor all over part of the more oxidized area to see if it would get closer to the shiny fingerprinted edges. No dice. So tried green Scotchbrite pad (you can see the brushing) and still no dice. Obviously looking to not sand these things down, but maybe that's what's left...

Anybody with any ideas? My plan is to leave these bare in the radiator tunnel. Every single panel has done this, rest are getting powder coated.

Thanks!

[Peter Ross]

Sharkhide

https://sharkhidestore.com/products/sharkhide-aluminum-cleaner

[Papa]

I agree that Sharkhide is perfect if you want to keep the bare aluminum. Something you can also do is use a red Scothbrite pad and WD-40. If you use a block and keep the pad oriented properly, it'll leave you with a brushed aluminum finish. Treat that with Sharkhide and it will stay that way.

[JMo]

Similar to what Papa mentioned, scotch brite will do the trick but I use Isopropyl Alcohol instead which leaves no residue. It's a lot of work though so I'm planning to powder coat all the panels that are visible when the car is done.

[edwardb]

My only comment is the radiator tunnel has literally the only aluminum pieces that show on the completed car when it's all closed up. And somewhat prominent because it's an usual feature. They become almost like body panels. IMO anyway, if you're going to powder coat anything, powder coat those pieces.

[Skuzzy]

Try using vinegar to remove the oxides. It should remove the light oxides. I usually take a microfiber cloth and wrap it in cheesecloth then soak it in vinegar and rub the oxides (let the vinegar do the work and use light strokes) until they are gone. Make sure there are no oils on the aluminum. Dawn, followed with alcohol, is good for that.

[rhk118]

Thanks all, I tried everything. Cleaned with Lacquer thinner and acetone, then degreased with dawn and degreaser. Tried vinegar, worked on some other panels but not these (???), went to brasso and still no luck. Tried some light abrasive compound and also didn't work (polished things a bit but the contrast between the light and oxidized places remained). So guess its down to just brush them, sharkhide and install as aluminum or just powdercoat as Paul suggested....Kind of like the raw aluminum look, but not going to go to the lengths of wet sanding them down....

[Skuzzy]

If the vinegar did not cut it, then there is a fair chance the spots are etched and not oxidized. There are acids, in the oils of skin, which can etch aluminum, when left for a long period of time.

You can try steel wool to see if it will cut the etching.

[cob427sc]

In several builds I have a Scotchbrite pad then followed up with a couple of coats of clear paint. Even finished the firewall on my hotrod that way. Leaves a true aluminum look just slightly darker in color tone and holds up well.