Seeking advice on cleaning Eagle siding

[KC Eagle]

Can anyone offer some advice on cleaning Eagle siding? Mine appears original with the anodization intact but not very bright and some white/milky streaking. I have searched the boards and did see a single reference to wiping it down with brake fluid - which will last a few weeks - but I'm a little hesitant to try this for fear of damaging the anodization. I have tried a mild cleaner (Simple Green) with a soft bristle brush then sponge and soapy water with limited success. Any suggestions?

[Blacksheep]

Unfortunatly, what you have is what you get!
You can try wiping it down with PB Blaster or equivelant but like the brake fluid, only last a short while.
Ace

[luvrbus]

KC, use Dupont # 7 chrome cleaner and polish stay away from the simple green it will get worse your problem is caused by being washed at a place that used acid in the wash most truck washes use it  CA and AZ are only states I know of that do not allow acid wash FWIW  good luck and I hope you can bring it back Sonnie Gray had his siding ruined by a truck wash>I have 2 more products I use to keep mine up 1 is Wicked Metal Polish and the other is Blue Magic it going to be a lot of work to bring it back if it is not to late

[van]

what about using a compond with a polishing wheel?anybody?

[luvrbus]

KC forgot to tell you www.wickedproducts.com is the online store and you can buy Blue Magic at Auto Zone

[PP]

what about using a compond with a polishing wheel?anybody?

Hey Van, I'm on my 3rd Walmart buffer/polisher so far this summer. I'm using rubbing compound and polishing compound trying to make the stainless look like chrome. I've started at the front and bottoms of the bay doors. Lot's of hard work but is slowly coming around. Still got a long ways to go though! There isn't an easy solution that I'm aware of. But if someone knows of one, I'm all ears 


Made stainless bold.
Richard

[luvrbus]

Aluminum and stainless are two different animals stay away from aluminium siding with a buffer and compound

[Blacksheep]

Contrary to what luvrbus has stated, polishing the anodized aluminum on your siding  is the worst thing you could ever do! WHY? Once you do it, your anodizing will be gone and then you will have to ALWAYS polish it to keep it clean and some what shiny! It's  much more work then you think just to maintain it! The anodizing was put on it to protect the aluminum. If you want it to look like chrome you will be best to replace it at a very high cost per foot when you order the polished siding! They make polished siding for a reason just as they anodized the siding for a reason!
To each his own but if it were me, I'd leave it alone OR replace it with what you looking for!

Ace

[DrivingMissLazy]

Depending on the weather the brake fluid will last for 4-6 weeks. It takes only about five minutes to apply and significantly improves the appearance.

Richard

[Dreamscape]

Ace,

Aluminum and stainless are two different animals stay away from aluminium siding with a buffer and compound

You both agree!

Once the anodized is removed the aluminum will start to oxidize, it's there to protect it.

Paul

[PP]

Aluminum and stainless are two different animals stay away from aluminium siding with a buffer and compound

Maybe I should have highlighted the word 'STAINLESS' in my replay   I definitely wasn't implying that anyone should be trying to make their aluminum look like chrome with a buffer/polisher  . Sorry, Will

[makemineatwostroke]

I have mirrior siding on my Eagle and it not that easy to keep up,Clifford has a satin finish on his siding anyone that has seen his Eagle will tell you it is prefect and been there since 1996 that I know of he washes it with a turtle wax car wash and any milky streaks he uses some product to remove them.But using brake fliud would be a no no for me any place it gets on the paint there is damage to the area

[KC Eagle]

Thanks for all the good advice! Sounds like my best bet is a good cleaning with a kitchen sponge scrubby pad (per the Airstream folks) then I'll try the brake fluid or similar (ATF has been suggested also) - good point about the paint removal tendancy of brake fluid.

[Busted Knuckle]

Maybe I should have highlighted the word 'STAINLESS' in my replay   I definitely wasn't implying that anyone should be trying to make their aluminum look like chrome with a buffer/polisher  . Sorry, Will

PP,
I caught it the first time and I believe most others did too. '
Now about that "chrome look" check out Fred Hobe's site. I think you'll find it very informative.

http://users.cwnet.com/~thall/fredhobe.htm

  BK 

[luvrbus]

KC if you are going to use a product like brake fluid or ATF use  boiled linseed oil dosen't collect dust as bad