Cleaning and polishing aluminum

[Porkchunker]

The aluminum seat pedistals are starting to show a bit of pitting and white oxidation. What do you guys/gals use to clean, brighten, and protect the aluminum? Would bronze-wool and boat wax remove the white oxidation? Or is that too aggressive?

Dave

 

[96TL]

I would like to know also. My window frames are already starting to pit.

 

[DaleH]

Sounds too aggressive to me. First off, NEVER, ever use any alkali-based cleaner on anodized aluminum, e.g., ammonia, lye, washing soda, and even my favorite ... Bar Keeper's Friend.

You do not want to scuff up nor mar the finish nor the anodized finish. I keep it simple - WD40 and a rag. Once aluminnum pits there is not too much you can do. Best defense is to keep it from pitting and that means keep it cleaned and waxed. You will need to wash down the piece 'lightly' with a solvent like naptha or acetone on a clean rag before waxing.

IMHO where most screw up, and this includes the Manufacturers, is that some things are marked OK for use on aluminum, but that necessarily does NOT mean it's OK on anodized aluminum. Even 3M's 1-Step aluminum cleaner is NOT designed for use on anodized surfaces, which is typically what you find in the marine market.

 

[CCparker]

I like to use the "Nev R Dull" wadding. Comes in a blue can and is actually full of a wadding material soaked in liquid. You can just rip out a piece and go to work. Watch out, though, as the can does rust and will leave a rust ring if you leave it somewhere. I have also had good luck with AlumaGuard. You just spray that on a rag and wipe down. Its real easy and takes me about 10 minutes to do my whole boat every 2 to 3 weeks.