How to Polish Aluminum

How to Polish Aluminum Wheels
After you remove all the grime from your bare aluminum wheels with a cleaner, it’s time to give them a good polish. Polishing cast aluminum wheels is reasonably straightforward as long as you use the proper polishing wheel techniques.

Aluminum Wheel Polishing
Aluminum polish
Rags
Toothbrush
Microfiber cloth
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Apply aluminum polish to a rag and work in small sections by rubbing the polish along the grain into the metal. As you move around the wheel section by section, cover all areas and finish by polishing the lug nuts.

To polish hard-to-reach areas, wrap the end of a toothbrush with a cloth. Buff the wheel with the grain using a clean microfiber cloth.

Sealing Aluminum Wheels after Polishing
The final step in restoring your aluminum wheels is to seal them. The sealing process protects the metal surface and helps the wheels stay cleaner longer, giving you more time in between wheel maintenance.

Aluminum Wheel Sealing

Wheel wax
Soft cloth

Liberally apply wheel wax to a soft cloth and rub it with the grain over the entire wheel, reapplying more wax as needed. Let the wheel dry for about fifteen minutes, and use a clean, soft towel to buff the dry wax off the wheel. Repeat the steps weekly to avoid the process of polishing your wheels as often.

How to Polish an Aluminum Trailer
Old aluminum trailers have a nostalgic feel that’s hard to resist. However, oftentimes they are left to sit outdoors, subjected to the environment, which leads to dirt buildup and oxidation. Here is one way of removing oxidation from aluminum and how to restore an aluminum trailer to look like new.

Polishing Aluminum Trailers
Dish soap
Warm water
Hose
Plastic
Tape
Paint stripper
Putty knife
600 grit wet sand paper
Polishing compound
7-inch angle grinder

Before you polish an aluminum trailer, clean the entire surface of the trailer with soapy water and rinse it thoroughly with clean water to remove dust, dirt, and debris. Mask off lights, painted surfaces, plastic pieces, and other areas with plastic and tape to prevent damage during the polishing process.

If necessary, remove the old clear coat finish with paint thinner and a putty knife, use 600 grit wet sandpaper to remove heavy oxidation, and rewash the trailer to remove residue.

Use a 7-inch angle grinder to compound the trailer from top to bottom. Start with a coarse grit polishing compound, followed by a medium grit, and finish with a fine grit compound.

Polishing an Aluminum Boat
Cleaning an aluminum pan or another household item is one thing, but polishing an aluminum boat takes quite a bit more time and effort since it is a magnet for grime, mineral deposits, and algae. Learn how to clean your boat, treat oxidation, and polish it for a clean finish.

Aluminum Boat Polishing
Pressure washer
Rubber gloves
Eye protection
Aluminum cleaner
Plastic mesh scrubbing pad
Aluminum polish
Wool pad
Soft cloth

Begin by parking your boat on a flat surface, and spray the hull with a pressure washer, squirting all aluminum surfaces to remove algae, grime, grease, and minerals.

Put on rubber gloves and protective eyewear and follow the instructions for your brand of aluminum cleaner. Spray the cleaner in an even layer over the hull and scrub the surface with a plastic mesh scrubbing pad. Once the entire surface is clean, spray the hull with water to remove all the residue and let it dry before polishing.

Add three to four drops of polish to a wool buffing pad and rub it evenly over small sections in circular motions. Overlap each section and reapply the polish as needed. Repeat this process yearly to reduce oxidation and keep your boat in tip-top shape.

Making an All-Purpose Aluminum Polish
An expensive, commercial polish is not necessary for polishing bare aluminum. This all-purpose aluminum cleaner cleans any of your small aluminum items, from utensils to pots and pans, and it uses ingredients you probably have in your home right now.

Homemade Aluminum Polish

Spray bottle
1 cup of water
1 cup of white vinegar
2 tablespoons of cream of tartar

Combine a cup each of water and vinegar in a spray bottle and add two tablespoons of cream of tartar. Shake the bottle gently and label it for storage purposes. When you are ready to polish aluminum or use this solution as a brass polish, spray the solution over the surface and use a soft cloth to buff the area dry.

While aluminum is a highly versatile and durable metal found almost everywhere, it requires routine maintenance. Fortunately, it’s easy to keep the metal surface clean and remove or prevent oxidation with a commercial polish like Flitz or homemade aluminum polish