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smlranger · 01-19-2014, 05:06 AM

The awning and slide topper hardware on my rig is gold anodized aluminum. It is getting dull and I would like to shine it up a bit. I am curious if anyone has some good suggestions as to what is best to use to do this.

All of my metal polishes clearly say not to use on anodized metal.

DGShaffer · 01-19-2014, 05:30 AM

Anodize is an extremely thin chemical process and can be removed pretty easily with anything abrasive including cleansers. Don't use anything other that a soft cloth and detergent. What you are seeing is the beginning of it coming off from being outside in the elements. If you're handy and feel like you can get it off, you can have it stripped and re-anodized and at that, almost any color in the spectrum. Powder coating is then an option as well.

rssnape · 01-19-2014, 05:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DGShaffer

Anodize is an extremely thin chemical process and can be removed pretty easily with anything abrasive including cleansers. Don't use anything other that a soft cloth and detergent. What you are seeing is the beginning of it coming off from being outside in the elements. If you're handy and feel like you can get it off, you can have it stripped and re-anodized and at that, almost any color in the spectrum. Powder coating is then an option as well.

Anodize is quite hard, but the color is thin and perhaps removable. Anodize has thousands of tiny "pores" that absorbs the color. The color is much softer than the anodize. Strong alkaline substances can etch aluminum. Reapplying anodize will certainly require removal of the parts, so keep that in mind.

ChasA · 01-19-2014, 10:37 AM

Google LC Wax.

ChasA · 01-19-2014, 10:48 AM

Also Flitz paste. I've used it and it does a good job.

DGShaffer · 01-19-2014, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rssnape

Anodize is quite hard, but the color is thin and perhaps removable. Anodize has thousands of tiny "pores" that absorbs the color. The color is much softer than the anodize. Strong alkaline substances can etch aluminum. Reapplying anodize will certainly require removal of the parts, so keep that in mind.

Hard Anodize is hard, standard anodize can be scraped right off with ease.