Heavily oxidized aluminum and diamond plate trim

[top189h]

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.

[ShawnF350]

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

[Wing Commander]

WolfGang Metalwork Polish and heavy cut compound are made for that.

[nothingface5384]

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...

[nothingface5384]

My statement was based using mf towl/detailing whool
Haven`t tried anything via machine polish

[nothingface5384]

Did some door seals that wore worse

[JBM]

Some diamond plate has some sort of clear over it. When my toolboxes get old they peel.

[top189h]

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.

[nothingface5384]

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

[jtford95]

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

[Detail Impressions]

This is the first place to start; Metal : Busch Enterprises, Headquarters for Premium Shine-Zone Products Then Metal : Busch Enterprises, Headquarters for Premium Shine-Zone Products
Get a piece of shag carpet and have at it, it will look like chrome.
Just did my trailer too.

[strickster1]

I`m a little late , but maybe this will help someone.

Before Pic:



After Pic:




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!