My new flatbed is pretty oxidized, I think it was shiny back in the early 1990's. I've got some Mother's aluminum polish, and a big ol wool buffing wheel for a grinder that I got at NAPA. Works OK for the rails and flat areas, but not on the diamond plate. Anyone got any tips for shining it up, and what works for getting in between all the raised areas? Please, tell me there's a spray on, wash off cleaner! I tried Brasso on a small area, it laid the smack down on the oxidation almost instantly, but it says not to use on aluminum.

 

I suggest aluminum brightner (acid) available at NAPA and polish with a piece of house carpet.

 

Gotta try carpet,
Doing my tool box with an electric tooth brush was VERY time consuming..

 

I have not tried it, but some aluminum polish and a Mothers Power Ball is supposed to work good.

 

at least, according to a slew of people who drag those big shiny high-polish aluminum skinned fancy horse trailers, it does.

www.metalwax.com

We have a g/n five-horse to refurbish this winter - it's going to get the treatment!

Here's the thread that you can find out more on the subject.

http://www.horsetrailerworld.com/for...?threadid=6266

 

The mothers ball IMO is junk, it's foam and shreads really easy. Flitz makes one that's made of strips of felt and I've heard it's better.

 

I work in the oilfield and have a diamond plate aluminum tailgate cover and toolbox on my truck. I get oil, parafin etc on my tailgate protector from the tools we pull out of the wells. Believe it or not take PB blaster (WD-40 like stuff but better) and spray it on then wipe it off with a rag. Then wash your truck. It will shine up just like new guaranteed.

 

Oh thank God for the PB blaster trick, I've got a can too. I'll try that today, I fooled with every tool I had yesterday trying to get in between all the little ridges, with very little luck. Shredded up a rag wheel, my brother's buffing wheels, my wife's door mat, tried Mother's polish, rouge, wheel cleaner, a dremel tool, and was about to take a wire wheel on the angle grinder to it. That stuff is awful to clean, I guess you need buffing equipment just for diamond plate.

 

PB Blaster? I'm going out to the garage and give it a try!

MikeyB

 

Thats what I use and it always works for me. The oilfield can get some nasty stuff on your truck and it sure works for me. Also, if you have road tar on your nerf bars, take a rag with PB and it comes right off. Soot on your bumper ?? PB to the rescue.

 

Baking Soda should take off the oxidation.

 

OK, tryed PB Blaster, Nothing, no change at all, ??
Back to the Tooth brush...

 

It works for me.. It gets all the grease and stuff off and shines it right up.

 

Are you using the baking soda as a buffing compound, or mixing it with water and spraying it on?

 

I tried the baking soda with a little water and it didn't phase it.