Tunnel cleaning

[RMKcowboy]

Looking for a product that will do a good job cleaning up the aluminum on my tunnel. I want to bring a shine back to it, but getting a couple winter's worth of crud off is proving difficult. Once I get it cleaned up decently, I plan to pick up a Mother's Powerball and shine it up nice... the buffer I have is too big and clumsy for the job.
Photos:

You can see in the second photo it doesn't look too bad where I did shine it, but I'd like to get better than that. Also if there is anything that will take the scratches out of aluminum let me know.

 

[jsledder]

Try a search on polishing tunnels, lots of info on here.

You'll probably want to take sandpaper to it, fine stuff like 800-1000 grit and then again with even finer stuff before the actual polishing part. Lots of work, there isn't a spray on/wipe off solution that will get you the results you are looking for.

 

[xcrash911]

js is right, it is a LOT of work. My experience with the powerball is not real good either, it will help with initial clean up but your best shine will come from lots of hand polishing from what I have seen

 

[RMKcowboy]

I'm not going after a mirror finish, just trying to bring the luster back to the aluminum. I'm thinking dish soap and a green scotch brite pad might do a good job for cleaning it up then go from there. I know the process for mirror finish polishing, and I'm not going to put that amount of effort into it. It's not a show piece!

 

[Whitworthsleddin]

I use a this stuff called brasso, which I found at the local hardware store. I put it onto a buffer and turn it onto the lowest speed to get all of the easy spot, but in the end to get all the smaller spots I have to to it by hand

 

[pinnedunderdoo#3]

road salt cleans it up real nice make sure to use lots haha

 

[MN_Nole]

I'm not going after a mirror finish, just trying to bring the luster back to the aluminum. I'm thinking dish soap and a green scotch brite pad might do a good job for cleaning it up then go from there. I know the process for mirror finish polishing, and I'm not going to put that amount of effort into it. It's not a show piece!

Since not going for mirror finish the easiest is the powerball and the mothers metal/polish cleaner. It lets the drill do the work, and you just have to wipe it down after. It will give you shine in spots though.

 

[R J]

Power ball things are ok, but there isn't a battery drill that will spin it fast enough IMO. If you buy one I would use a electric drill but even with that the good ol hand polishing still does a better job. The power ball seems to make a mess with everything flying all over the place. I'm not talking polish either I'm talking the fibers from the ball.

Scotch brite, medium (maroon color) followed up with Scotch brite (gray color) then your polish. It should look good but personally just leave it alone. You are much better off not wasting time with it. Never ending battle if you want it to look shiny all the time.

 

[rev800151]

I use 0000 steel wool, then use a good polish on a rag (meguiars sp?). Thats what I use on the sled tunnel and dirt bike frame.

 

[m8magicandmystery]

product that truckers use for their alumunum mags etc is called TRAILER BRITE...usually availiable in industrial supply stores..ex Greggs Distributing in Canada..

 

[MOB]

Etching mag cleaner...spray on, rinse off...leaves a bright satin finish...not good for polished surfaces, hence the term 'etching'...

Eagle One Etching Mag Cleaner

Schuck's, etc. usually stocks them...believe it may be same as Trailer Brite mentioned above...

 

[Fordman]

Just have MOB come over and do it for you... He needs something to do.