Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Removing oxidation on brushed aluminum #2691349
08/25/19 08:14 PM
08/25/19 08:14 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,485
Annapolis, MD, USA
V
Vert Offline OP
master
Vert  Offline OP
master
V

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,485
Annapolis, MD, USA
I have a brushed aluminum radiator and it developed some oxidation over the past couple of years while sitting. I tried a paper towel soaked with vinegar lying on it for a short time. Also tried scrubbing it with a cloth soaked in vinegar. No luck with either. Any suggestions on cleaning this off?

IMG_7483.JPGIMG_7484.JPG
Re: Removing oxidation on brushed aluminum [Re: Vert] #2691352
08/25/19 08:26 PM
08/25/19 08:26 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 29,648
Hamtramck, PA
Alaskan_TA Offline
Fluffy Balladeer
Alaskan_TA  Offline
Fluffy Balladeer

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 29,648
Hamtramck, PA
Oxidation causes pitting.

You may be able to polish to a fresh surface, but no cleaner removes pitting.

If it was anodized & just the coating wore through, you may be able to have it anodized again?

Re: Removing oxidation on brushed aluminum [Re: Alaskan_TA] #2691371
08/25/19 09:28 PM
08/25/19 09:28 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,485
Annapolis, MD, USA
V
Vert Offline OP
master
Vert  Offline OP
master
V

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,485
Annapolis, MD, USA
Thanks for your help. I may Flitz it and then hit with Eastwood Diamond Clear. It'll be polished then instead of brushed tho...

Re: Removing oxidation on brushed aluminum [Re: Vert] #2691388
08/25/19 10:08 PM
08/25/19 10:08 PM
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 6,174
nowhere
S
Sniper Offline
master
Sniper  Offline
master
S

Joined: May 2019
Posts: 6,174
nowhere
A Scotchbrite pad will clean it off and keep it brushed looking. Just scrub in the direction of the brush marks. They make different grit pads for finer or more aggressive scrubbing.

Re: Removing oxidation on brushed aluminum [Re: Sniper] #2691391
08/25/19 10:22 PM
08/25/19 10:22 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,662
Jefferson State
S
srt Offline
ESYC
srt  Offline
ESYC
S

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,662
Jefferson State
Try Colonel Brassy . I used it on old ozidized wheels and they are very presentable.
A mothers power ball chucked in a variable speed drill will help.

Re: Removing oxidation on brushed aluminum [Re: srt] #2691537
08/26/19 12:00 PM
08/26/19 12:00 PM
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,358
Iowa
burdar Offline
Owen's Dad
burdar  Offline
Owen's Dad

Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,358
Iowa
Quote
A Scotchbrite pad will clean it off and keep it brushed looking. Just scrub in the direction of the brush marks. They make different grit pads for finer or more aggressive scrubbing.


iagree A Scotchbrite pad will clean it up fast.

Re: Removing oxidation on brushed aluminum [Re: burdar] #2691550
08/26/19 12:22 PM
08/26/19 12:22 PM
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 12,587
Great Neck,LI,new york
hemi-itis Offline
I Live Here
hemi-itis  Offline
I Live Here

Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 12,587
Great Neck,LI,new york
"OO" steel wool works great also on bare aluminum.


HEMI-ITIS has no cure.
My condition is fully BLOWN!!
Re: Removing oxidation on brushed aluminum [Re: hemi-itis] #2691622
08/26/19 04:04 PM
08/26/19 04:04 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,352
Eagle, Idaho
Neil Offline
The Doctor is in.
Neil  Offline
The Doctor is in.

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,352
Eagle, Idaho
Rubber sanding block with a fine grit paper and some water. Sand left to right to make it uniform. Little car wax when your done to seal it.

Re: Removing oxidation on brushed aluminum [Re: Neil] #2692042
08/27/19 07:37 PM
08/27/19 07:37 PM
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 15,713
Central Florida
larrymopar360 Offline
Stud Muffin
larrymopar360  Offline
Stud Muffin

Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 15,713
Central Florida
I tried all these suggestions on my Power Wagon's anodized grille but nothing brought back any shine. My mechanic suggested Oven Cleaner so I tried that then scrubbed with the scotch brite and that actually brought back some shine.


Facts are stubborn things.
Re: Removing oxidation on brushed aluminum [Re: larrymopar360] #2692197
08/28/19 09:34 AM
08/28/19 09:34 AM
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,358
Iowa
burdar Offline
Owen's Dad
burdar  Offline
Owen's Dad

Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,358
Iowa
To polish anodized aluminum, you first have to remove the anodizing. The oven cleaner you used, stripped off the anodizing so the aluminum could be polished.

Re: Removing oxidation on brushed aluminum [Re: Vert] #2692303
08/28/19 01:33 PM
08/28/19 01:33 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,194
Omaha Ne
T
TJP Offline
I Live Here
TJP  Offline
I Live Here
T

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,194
Omaha Ne
Non coated wheel cleaner will remove the oxidation / stains and brighten the aluminum but it will not remove pitting. Works well on carbs and intakes beer

Re: Removing oxidation on brushed aluminum [Re: TJP] #2692316
08/28/19 02:22 PM
08/28/19 02:22 PM
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,914
Calgary, Alberta Canada
a12rag Offline
master
a12rag  Offline
master

Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,914
Calgary, Alberta Canada
Autosol . . . best damn stuff ! Will take some elbow grease too, but it will be awesome !!!

http://www.autosol.com/product_p/1824.htm

Re: Removing oxidation on brushed aluminum [Re: Vert] #2692731
08/29/19 09:28 PM
08/29/19 09:28 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,485
Annapolis, MD, USA
V
Vert Offline OP
master
Vert  Offline OP
master
V

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,485
Annapolis, MD, USA
Thanks for all the replies. Its brushed, but I don't think its anodized. Hopefully I can brush, sand off the oxidation, brush the "brushed" pattern back in, and clearcoat it.

Re: Removing oxidation on brushed aluminum [Re: Vert] #2692850
08/30/19 11:11 AM
08/30/19 11:11 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 28,063
Irving, TX
feets Offline
Senior Management
feets  Offline
Senior Management

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 28,063
Irving, TX
I use gray scotchbrite pads to get the brushed look. It's very similar to how it's done in manufacturing but they have big powered wheels of the stuff.


We are brothers and sisters doing time on the planet for better or worse. I'll take the better, if you don't mind.
- Stu Harmon
Re: Removing oxidation on brushed aluminum [Re: feets] #2693369
09/01/19 09:28 AM
09/01/19 09:28 AM
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 675
Southern Alberta
Uberpube Offline
mopar
Uberpube  Offline
mopar

Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 675
Southern Alberta
In the air conditioning trade, we use some caustic cleaners called nu-brite, and alka-brite for cleaning and brightening aluminum condensers. It works really well for car parts as well, cleaned up the belly pan of my viper with it.

Re: Removing oxidation on brushed aluminum [Re: Uberpube] #2693996
09/03/19 02:59 PM
09/03/19 02:59 PM
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1,134
Lost in Time
Iowan Offline
super stock
Iowan  Offline
super stock

Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1,134
Lost in Time
Non painted aluminum wheel cleaner should work great, it brings back heads a manifolds also.


Have a great day
Iowan

"obsolete is neat"







Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.1