Heavily oxidized aluminum and diamond plate trim

top189h

New member
I came across a deal on a used trailer for my race cars two years ago, and have been renovating it a little at a time. The mechanical stuff and interior is all done, but now I'm starting on the exterior aluminum. It's 13 years old and had been neglected on the outside. The white panels came out great with some 205 on a finishing pad, but I've been pounding away on the aluminum trim with everything I have. The best results I've gotten were from a wool pad with 105 3m ultra fine mix. Is there anything I can use to make life a little easier? I was thinking wheel brightener but came across duragloss hd cleaner/brightener, has anyone used this before? I need something strong because even with the wool 105 combo, the results are very unsatisfactory for me.
 
Take a look at this diamond plate Johnnyb cleaned up on a work truck. I would try Poorboys ProPolish 2.
Poorboys also has a Aluminum & Metal Heavy Duty Polish which should work too. BUT you can use the Propolish on anything.

work truck + poorboys
 
Best ive used has been gords aluminum polish and sealant
I've been wanting to try wenol blue but its like on manufacture backorder
Don't bother with flitz it sucks desout the rave reviews AGO gives it...
 
The smooth trim had turned white. When I was buffing it, it gained it's shine back, but still looked etched, and the diamond plate is just your standard heavy oxidation. The trailer is 32 feet long and has trim basically the whole way down. I've never had to use an aggressive abrasive on aluminum before, and part of me thinks I may be going about it the wrong way.
 
The smooth trim had turned white. When I was buffing it, it gained it's shine back, but still looked etched, and the diamond plate is just your standard heavy oxidation. The trailer is 32 feet long and has trim basically the whole way down. I've never had to use an aggressive abrasive on aluminum before, and part of me thinks I may be going about it the wrong way.

Seriously in aluminum and stainless trim can't beat Gords
Cleans better then anything ive used with only light agitation work
Where as others I'd had to vigorously scrub and didn't get as good results
It's also non abrasive so the most abrasive thing with be your agitation media ..0000 wool or red cloth or Terry/microfiber
 
I like Poorboy's PP2. Colinite makes a metal polish also that I read that was good as well. I have read good things about Gord's polish also. I want to try it as well. I like what I saw with the Gord's
 
I'm a little late , but maybe this will help someone.

Before Pic:

8170f84d7136bfdb433e4e53396682cf.jpg


After Pic:

e13b8c0b4ed779011594b4a69efc1299.jpg



I used a 4" angle grinder with these:

Shop Kobalt 2-Piece 6-in Buffing and Polishing Wheel Set at Lowe's

And this cleaner:

White Diamond Metal Polish with Long Lasting Sealant, 12 oz - Walmart.com

This project took me about and hour and a half. Turned out great!
 
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