Help cleaning deposits from aluminum

[wallbanger2]

I just got my new project boat, a 26 ft Stamas cuddy. The aluminum around the windows and winshield all have mineral (salt maybe)deposits on them that are really stuborn. There is no pitting thankfully. Does anyone have any ideas about how to safely remove the deposits short of removing the aluminum and using a wire wheel on it followed by a polishing wheel? I am plainning on painting them once they are clean to keep maintenance down on the boat. Thanks.

 

[Ralph 123]

Re: Help cleaning deposits from aluminum

Try 3M Marine aluminum restorer and polish along with a rotary tool with a soft buffing wheel on it. Works miracles!

 

[wallbanger2]

Re: Help cleaning deposits from aluminum

These deposits are a little big for a polishing compound I think. I know I would go through several wheels trying it that way. WHat I'm wondering is will something like viniger or some sort of "lime-away" product disolve them down to a point where I could use a polishing wheel?

 

[SeaMasterZ@aol.com]

Re: Help cleaning deposits from aluminum

CLR is good stuff, just use gloves and RINSE the helll out of it once yer done - other than that, I dunno, a nylon scrubber pad and some orange clean works well for me ... once clean, polish it and shoot some clear on it, should look mahvelous and be maintenece free

 

[wallbanger2]

Re: Help cleaning deposits from aluminum

Thanks Castawayray, thats what I was looking for. Theres too much aluminum with all the window framing inside and out to try and remove it manually. Plus I didn't really want to spend a coule of hours laying across the cabin top trying to operate my dremel with the sun blazing down. (I'm also just a little bit lazy some times, thats why I plan on painting it after I get it all clean)

 

[wind knot]

Re: Help cleaning deposits from aluminum

Wallbanger2, I know that the places that wash highway rigs, have a solution for cleaning aluminum that works excellent. You just spray it on, wait a minute and hose off. It brings aluminum back to new, in no time!!.

 

[SeaMasterZ@aol.com]

Re: Help cleaning deposits from aluminum

LOL, I hear ya wallbanger ... I dont consider it being lazy, there is a nationwide effort to conserve energy, just consider it doing your part on behalf of the nation ... <br /><br />besides, there are better things to squander ones excess energy on, wimmens, fishin, wimmens, boatin, wimmens, drinkin, wimmens ... I mean, errr, wimmen, the One Woman Whoopin Warpath gets touchy about me makin jokes like that, lol