Keep Polished Aluminum Polished For Good (sort of)
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Joined: May 2004
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From: Kingman, Arizona
Keep Polished Aluminum Polished For Good (sort of)
This is just a tip for anyone that is as lazy as I am when it comes to polishing aluminum.
I've been using this trick for years and did a search to see if anyone else has mentioned it here but didn't see it so....
After spending that 1-4 hours polishing up your wheels, grille, etc. spend 1 more minute spraying silicone on a clean cloth and rub it in liberally to what you just polished. And I do mean rub it in. You want to get it into the pores of the aluminum. This will dull the shine.
Then take another CLEAN cloth and buff it out one more time. A wheel takes me about 2 minutes to bring the shine back.
Now, and I know this from many years of experience...(remember, I'm lazy when it comes to polishing aluminum) just wash with water or a very mild cleanser from then on. Harsh cleanser will wash the silicone away.
I guarantee you it will stay polished for at least 6 months this way. Then a few minutes of polishing and another dose of silicone and you're good for another 6 months.
Now, I live in the Southwest so we don't get much snow and especially salt on the roads so I don't know how this would affect the silicone. But, when I lived in Mass. we always changed wheels and tires for the winter anyway.
I've been using this trick for years and did a search to see if anyone else has mentioned it here but didn't see it so....
After spending that 1-4 hours polishing up your wheels, grille, etc. spend 1 more minute spraying silicone on a clean cloth and rub it in liberally to what you just polished. And I do mean rub it in. You want to get it into the pores of the aluminum. This will dull the shine.
Then take another CLEAN cloth and buff it out one more time. A wheel takes me about 2 minutes to bring the shine back.
Now, and I know this from many years of experience...(remember, I'm lazy when it comes to polishing aluminum) just wash with water or a very mild cleanser from then on. Harsh cleanser will wash the silicone away.
I guarantee you it will stay polished for at least 6 months this way. Then a few minutes of polishing and another dose of silicone and you're good for another 6 months.
Now, I live in the Southwest so we don't get much snow and especially salt on the roads so I don't know how this would affect the silicone. But, when I lived in Mass. we always changed wheels and tires for the winter anyway.
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Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Beaverton,MI
spend 1 more minute spraying silicone on a clean cloth and rub it in liberally to what you just polished.
I work for a major maker of silicone, need job security.
Sled...
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From: Kingman, Arizona
A can I've had for years is made by AIS and is called SLICK. I don't think it really matters though. I've even used Kiwi Camping Boots Waterproofer w/silicone.
Teflon? It would probably work great; maybe even better than silicone! I'll have to try it if I can find some spray telflon. The question is if the polished surface will shine again after applying it and buffing it back out.
Teflon? It would probably work great; maybe even better than silicone! I'll have to try it if I can find some spray telflon. The question is if the polished surface will shine again after applying it and buffing it back out.
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From: Beaverton,MI
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From: Kingman, Arizona
Sled,
I don't think you have anything to worry about; silicone is here to stay and has all kinds of good uses.
Unless, of course, the EPA decides it's harmful to the pink and purple three-legged spotted moth!
Bob
I don't think you have anything to worry about; silicone is here to stay and has all kinds of good uses.
Unless, of course, the EPA decides it's harmful to the pink and purple three-legged spotted moth!
Bob