Polishing Alum

[Eagle Andy]

Hey Guy's need some thoughts on my Alum cafe doors. I have a couple of sections of Alum that do not shine up like I think they should. I have uesd all kinds of polish ,  some of the ideas that have been posted on the board and nothing seems to bring the luster out in them. I read the acticle in FredHobe has on his web page and I wondering if thats what I have too do.Thanks Andy

[luvrbus]

Andy, buddy that is anodized aluminium keep the compounds off it what you got is what you have  destroy the anodized coating you will have mess  


good luck

[Dreamscape]

As Clifford said, once the anodize is gone you are left with what you see. I use brake fluid on mine and it shines up pretty good, just wipe it on with a rag. It won't make it look like new, but it looks a little better. Remember mine is original at 42 years old.

The only way to fix it is to replace it, and that aint gonna happen anytime soon!

Paul

[Len Silva]

If you have sections that don't match, they have probably been replaced at one time or another.  It is almost impossible to get a perfect match with replacement siding.

There are only two solutions for a perfect finish, re-skin the entire coach or paint it.  Fred Hobe's advice is for stainless on MCI or Prevost.

Very nice looking Eagle, I can't see the problem in the photo.

[luvrbus]

Paul, the siding has gotten expensive now (I always thought it was anyway) FWWI a  friend of mine was quoted 20 grand for new mirror siding on a 45 ft Eagle installed from B&B.and another outfit in Texas quoted him 24 grand that is a bunch of Coke cans  



good luck

[luvrbus]

Len, that coach was skinned with IBP siding an most of the time it doesn't match you have to be real careful with their siding or you get that.
IBP is good about sending more but in his case to much time has passed and FWIW acid in the truck washes destroy that siding mine has never been in a truck wash anyplace but AZ where they are prohibited from using the acid 




good luck

[Eagle Andy]

Thanks Fella's I need to leave well enough alone.  Iam just being anal Thanks again

[Ob1quixote]

If the aluminnyum is anodized, it can be removed. I have heard oven cleaner will do it, and I think www.caswellplating.com has a product as well.

[JackConrad]

If the aluminnyum is anodized, it can be removed.

However, if the anodizing is removed you will need to constantly be polishing the aluminum. The polishing article Fred Hobe wrote is about the stainless steel  panels on the MCIs, a completely different animal.  Jack

[PP]

Lets not be confusing "Anodized" with "Oxidized"

[cody]

I don't see where the two issues are confused.  What jack is saying that if you removed the anodizing from the aluminum, then you will be in a position where you will have to keep polishing it to keep it from oxidizing.  Some people that want the bright mirror finish do remove the anodizing so that they can polish it to that degree, others feel that the anodized finish is good enough, I personally, don't have the time to do the polishing to that degree or as often as it would be required to maintain so I'll stick with the anodized finish.  I also know of one individual that was anal enough to actually remove his to strip and chrome it, about a year later he found out how much work he had gotten himself involved with but to each his own I guess. 

[Eagle Andy]

Thanks again Fella's I really don;t want that much work I like what I have and I just thought there was something to bring out a little more shine. Thanks for all the comments . Andy