Polishing aluminum on enclosed trailer

[DonGott]

Guys, I have a 20ft enclosed trailer that I pull behind the bus and the shiney aluminum rock guards on the corners and etc., are dull and need polishing. I tried "Mothers" and "Never Dull" on one side of the trailer and the area that I cleaned and polished came out with un-sitely scratch marks. I'm using clean cloths and micro-fiber. What product do I need to use to keep things looking new on that shiney stuff?

Thanks
DonGott

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DonGott Guys, I have a 20ft enclosed trailer that I pull behind the bus and the shiny aluminum rock guards on the corners and etc., are dull and need polishing. I tried "Mothers" and "Never Dull" on one side of the trailer and the area that I cleaned and polished came out with un-sitely scratch marks. I'm using clean cloths and micro-fiber. What product do I need to use to keep things looking new on that shiny stuff?

DonGott, The secret probably lies with a wheel polisher guy. I've seen some pretty ratty looking aluminum wheels and they turned out really nice. I guess it'll all depend on technique, the right stuff and a buffing type polishing machine. Good luck!

[DaveC6]

Are you sure the aluminum wasn't coated with a clear coat? You'd know it wasn't clear coated if the polishing cloth turned black quickly. Another problem will be keeping them polished without a clear coat. They will oxidize fairly quickly and won't stay that way for too long.

[-Gonzo-]

You can go to just about any decent truck stop and find big bars of jewlers rouge. It comes in different colors.. Brown; for serious cutting of abused or never cut aluminum, Green; for general everyday type polishing (use it after the brown). Most people stop here with the green but if you really want a mirror finish there is White; for a fine finish mirror like finish. It's for serious polishing.. For a bit less serious, there are more agressive polishes than the Mothers & Never Dull... I use Zepher, white Diamond, and some others found in truck stops.. Try these!

But, if you want to avoid all the mess and everything.. there are usually detail shops in some big truck stops that can do anything.. (Where are you and i can steer you to somewhere that there is a detail shop..) If you see a "Blue Beacon" truck wash they can usually steer you in the right direction of some polishing shop.. They can just apply acid to the aluminum to get the oxidation off.