Cleaning Aluminum Diamond Plate

[integraoligist]

Is there a way to take off light scratches and oxadation and, i think it`s tar spots..... of Aluminum Diamond Plate?



i first used a cleaner wax... didnt do anything, then used Turtle Wax rubbing compound... created more scratches then it took off... used a small buffer wheel you put on your drill and the turtule wax compound again... nothing.





ideas?

[imported_Sullybob]

Try Mothers aluminum polish for the oxidation. I have had great results with it on oxidized aluminum as long as it isn`t really bad. For the scratches I don`t know how to fix them.

[integraoligist]

yeah, i`ve also tried the Mother Aluminum/Mag polish as well, by hand and on the Drill buffer wheel. didnt do anything.:(



sorry i forgot to mention that.:p

[buellwinkle]

Have you tried one of the buffing balls from Flitz or Mother`s Powerball? Never used them so I`m just throwing out ideas. What I know will work that I`ve used for years requires a rotary buffer and a couple of 10" cotton loose (unstiched) buffing wheels and some aluminum polish rogue (don`t like liquid stuff because it splatters). Stack a 2 or 3 wheels together and apply rogue to the edge of the pad and polish away. The loose cotton pads will get into every nook and crany, unlike the stiched pads which work better on aluminum but wont` get around the diamond plate nubs. Google buffing wheels and you`ll find plenty of places to get them.

[integraoligist]

i seen that Flitz thing on TV many... MANY times and was thinking about picking it up for $20. not sue if it would get the scratches out though.



maybe i`ll try that Flitz and if it dosent do anything then the buffing wheels with the Mothers again.. i got the Paste Mothers BTW.

[HCF]

mother makes something called power metal polish thats in a red bottle and its liquid. It worked well for me on the power ball with stained polished wheels.

[Alfisti]

Here`s a link and some pics that may answer your question:



http://waxforum.com/showthread.php?t=473

[integraoligist]

hmm, looks quite good with the powerballer in those pic`s... but even in the "before" shots i dont see any fine scratchs or anything. i wonder if it`s strong enough for the scratchs as well?

[brwill2005]

Give English Custom Polishes a try. They make several polishes, the strongest is the metal restorer. It cuts through all types of oxidation. Follow the MR with one of their finishing polishes, they contain waxes for protection.

[integraoligist]

will do... thanks for the tip!

[Tasty]

Integraolotist - Mother`s aluminum and mag polish + powerball will solve your problems on diamond plate. It is the ONLY thing that even touched the major oxidation and water spotting I had on my box. Really brought it back to life. Still takes a lot of time to do, but that is the ONLY tool that worked for me.

[Alfisti]

Keep in mind he used PowerMetal Polish, not Mag and Aluminium Polish, although, that`ll work as well according to Forrest.

[integraoligist]

i should note that this Diamond plate is the kind that is use on running boards of work-trucks, semi`s... and things like this. it withstands heavy foot traffic.



if this makes a diffrence :)



i`m going to have to find that "powerball" you are all talking about... i`ll be ordering a mass amount of materials next week, i`ll just add that to the list.

[Alfisti]

Here`s a link to a movie with Chip Foose showing how to use the PowerBall.



http://www.mothers.com/products/productcatalog/power_prod.html

[chaotik]

I have used English Custom Polishes before and they are great products.



I would recommend the metal restorer, but thats it ...unless you are going to get the diamond plate totally scratch free. When I first placed my order with them, I called and talked to the owner for an hour or so....TALK ABOUT CUSTOMER SERVICE!!!



He told me NOT to but some of the higher polishes they sell because of the waxes, etc. that they contain will just magnify the scratches you didnt get out.



I must recommend their Hot Enviroment polish though.....I use it one my semi`s 8" open pipes and the stuff is awesome!!!



Some other good polishes (can usually get at a truck stop, etc.) are White Diamond metal polish, Busch Polish, and my favorite Hollywood Polish (www.hollywoods1.com) They only sell online or in the northwest at afew locations, so its easiest to get it online from them....but you wont be dissappointed!!



I wouldnt recommend the buffing wheels/ rotary and rouges unless you have the time to put into it. To get an even shine you have to learn the right process....know what color and cut passes are...how often to laod your wheel with rouge, keeping the wheel clean, using the right speed, going with the grain of the metal, etc. On diamond plate it isnt as hard to get the shine even, but when doing 120 gallon fuel tanks, etc...you would get what I am saying. On the diamond plate though....make sure you polish it on a parallel line with the diamonds ....which means you have to polish in 2 directions as the diamonds have 2 opposing angles. And remember.....the oxidation will be the hardest thing to get off/cut through...as it is aluminum oxide...one of the hardest substances known. Before I do a big buffing job (tanks, wheels, etc) I usually take the truck to a truck wash and have them use "brightener" on the aluminum. It is basically an acid that instantly takes off the layer of oxidation, so you can start right on the bare aluminum instead of first having to get thru the oxidation layer....but used too much or left on too long, it will turn your aluminum white.



I am a FREAK about my aluminum...so this all might have sounded crazy if you are just trying to get alittle shine back. But...no matter what way you go...take your time and you will get some great results.



MIKE