Cleaning Polished Aluminum

[RealCleaningSolutions]

Hey Everbody,
I used to own a Truck Wash but I never found a polished aluminum cleaner that I was happy with. I want a relativly safe product to use on polished aluminum. I would like to have something that not only cleans but puts a protectant on the surface as well. Some of the units I am cleaning are fairly new tanker trucks and also a couple of aluminum horse trailers. Are there Any Aluminum Experts out there??

Thanks
Daniel Wilson

[Russ Johnson]

F102 is a cleaner specially designed to clean and brighten polished aluminum. A follow up of Poly Coat will keep it looking better longer.

[Tracy Handl]

See Citric Aluminum Cleaner at www.sunbritesupply.com It works very well for polished aluminum. It is under Fleet Wash products. Contact me if you have more questions about it.

[RealCleaningSolutions]

Originally Posted by Russ Johnson

F102 is a cleaner specially designed to clean and brighten polished aluminum. A follow up of Poly Coat will keep it looking better longer.

First off where do I find F102 and polycoat and high long will the poly Coat last? Second the acidic cleaner did not look terribly safe for everday use although I have used stuff just as bad before. The acidic cleaner also said that it would produce a "satin" shine. The tankers I am working on a highly polished and I don't know whether that will dull the sheen of the metal.

[Russ Johnson]

You can get both products from me. Give me a call.

F-102™ is designed to clean and brighten mirror polished aluminum and other type surfaces without damage (when used as directed). It will work as well in cold water as it does in hot water. This product is designed for heavy duty cleaning and is the best performing non-etching brightener in America.

F-102™ is a non-etching acid cleaner that will not damage the type materials found in transportation equipment. Will not damage glass, aluminum, plastics, rubber, wiring or any other material found in and on mass transit equipment.
DIRECTIONS: Use through the pressure washer, with down stream injector or hand pump applications. Set metering valve to apply F-102™ at a dilution ratio of 1 part cleaner to 35 parts water. Always apply acid from the bottom up. Detail clean from the bottom up. Rinse from the top down. For heavy initial cleanup, use at a ratio of 1 to 5 with water. Also very effective in drive through cleaning systems. Do not use this product on anodized aluminum (metal that looks like chrome).
$52.50 for 5 gallons

POLY COAT™ is designed to protect aluminum, paint, glass and other surfaces from oxidation and soiling between washings. POLY COAT™ places a micro plastic coating on the vehicle surface to protect that surface from oxidation that could occur between washings. The plasticoat film provides a protective barrier to facilitate the recleaning process during the next washing. Keeps windshields slick so water blows off during rain. Keeps chrome surfaces from spotting.

DIRECTIONS: POLY COAT™ may be applied during the rinse cycle to get the vehicle coated. Use at the rate of 1 part POLY COAT™ to 200 parts water. It will not build up, turn yellow or crack. POLY COAT™ is easily removed as the vehicle is cleaned normally. For best results use in softened water.

$30.00 for 5 gallons

[RealCleaningSolutions]

Awsome,
I will give you a call when the job comes up again.

Thanks

[M Hinderliter]

Polished aluminum is very easy to streak. I would not use a brightner at all, follow these steps:
1. Use a mild soap with a neutral ph of 7
2. Don't let any detergent dry on the surface, if possible clean in the shade. If the surface is hot rinse first to cool it so you don't get a flash drying of the detergent when it is applied (that can steak as well)
3. Use rinse water that is "clean" (hard water will also streak alum.) If quality rinse water is not available check into renting DI tanks to do the job

You should not have any problem if you follow these steps

[Paul Kassander]

Good advice Mike.

[hydro Tek Man]

I have never found any acid that truly works on polished metal . And mike should know!

[RealCleaningSolutions]

I only use soft water from a onboard softening unit so that is not a problem. The problem is how to use a product that will put a protectant on the surface at one time. Kinda like Wal-mart has a "wash and wax" car wash soap. Just an example. I can clean the tankers and horse trailers no problem and it wont streak or anything it just doesnt give it a nice shine when I am done. mebbe I have to get a good old buffer and do the work by hand.

[Tracy Handl]

We have a wash here called Big Truck Brite. It will clean safely, and has gloss enhancers in it to give the "just waxed" look when finished. It will do a great job for you! www.sunbritesupply.com

[RealCleaningSolutions]

Wow, I will have to try that out, right now it's been pretty icy out so it will be awhile. Is it as safe to use as most chemicals or are there special precautions?

Thanks,
Daniel

[Patrick at HMSGA]

I have a background in aviation related cleaning as one of the specialized services we offer in relation to our coatings business.

There is a definite difference between aluminum cleaning and aluminum polishing. There will be times when neither one (cleaning or polishing) is for the faint of heart...lol

To CLEAN aluminum I like to use a product called "Bellywash". It is designed to safely clean the undersides of an aircraft fuselage, and remove the stuff that gets on there including oils, greases, tar, bugs, birds, and hydrocarbon related contaminations.

Cleaning aluminum is USUALLY relatively easy as long a you use something that is safe and effective, and what you are applying, and applying it with does not scar or mark up the surface, or dull the existing finish you are cleaning.

To actually POLISH aluminum surfaces I like to use something called "Rolite Aluminum Polish", applied like most any other polishes, then polished out with an orbital polisher.

You can get GREAT results, but to do it RIGHT can be very labor intensive, so just be prepared for that.

After cleaning, I could suggest several options as to how to protect the newly cleaned surface.

Mike Hinderliter also offers some good suggestions in his post above.

I don't know about the specific product from Sunbrite, but they generally also know their stufff.

Or you can fly it into a local airport near me, leave it for a couple of days and I will be more than happy to take care of it FOR you.....lol

[RealCleaningSolutions]

I dunno flying a fuel truck half way across the country might get a little expensive! LOL
Anyhow, where would I get the "Bellywash" and how much is it per gallon or whatever size it is sold in?
Also, in your experiance how long should a good polish last if it is cleaned on a regular basis? and would the product "bellywash be safe to use on automotive paint?

Thanks for the tips I think I am going to have to buy a bunch of products and then see which one works best for me!

Thanks,
Daniel