White spots on polished aluminum hood

Discussion in 'Peterbilt Forum' started by mile marker 27, Aug 14, 2022.

  1. kranky1

    kranky1 Road Train Member

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    I only look at the trucks with grease on the fifth wheels and the front of the air cleaners sand blasted a bit. Don’t have much interest in those other ones.
     
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  3. mile marker 27

    mile marker 27 Road Train Member

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    I tried the vinegar,.....no go. So, I guess I’ll sand it, in the future, get it as shiny as possible and possibly clear coat???? Painting on aluminum generally requires an etching primer and obviously I can’t do that with a clear, so is there a particular for aluminum?
     
    Boondock Thanks this.
  4. wore out

    wore out Numbered Classic

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    Silly thought but try a really good wax after you polish it. Maybe some rain x or Lucas speed wax once a month or so after that.

    I agree I have always used an etching primer and thought it needs a rough surface (lack of better term) to hold on to. So clear on a smooth polish I ain’t sure how that would work. They may make something just for that a paint supply place may can help there
     
    Boondock and mile marker 27 Thank this.
  5. Last Call

    Last Call Road Train Member

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    This is just me talking ... If I was gonna try to seal polished aluminum panels I would try the RainX route.. I never had the nadds to try a wax .. cause when I get done polishing .. Iam already pissed off and not ever had the nutts to try a wax to seal it.. Not saying it wouldn't work though.. Iam deep in Mother's & Wizzard's products for polishing & paint care.. that's just me and the Mother's wax I feel would leave a yellow tint

    Again this is just me but after I get the shine I want I always go over it with a white non starched buff wheel and use a white bar compound... not saying it lasts forever but it is suppouse to seal and smooth out the pores in aluminum... it seems to work because it sheds water until the 1st time they spray brien on the road in the winter and then it's all over but the cry'n
    I get all my buff wheels and compound bars from Empire Abrasive.. they have all kinds of charts on their web site to match the products to the mission your trying to accomplish
    I sure don't claim to be a polishing & detail expert nor to I ever want to be .. the 2 most important tools in my polishing kit are my cooler & koozie
    Chrome and aluminum are like a woman... their great to look at when they shine like a diamond in a goat's #$$.. but are high mantaince and alot of work for the enjoyment you get from them
     
  6. SmallPackage

    SmallPackage Road Train Member

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    They have been clear coating polished alloy wheels since the 1980’s. And many held up well for years and years. I had a set of Sendel wheels on a ‘84 Grand Prix that were factory clear coated. They went 25 years and 300,000 miles before the surface coating started to crack and peel. Seemed like they turned bronze color overnight. I used aircraft stripper to remove the clear and then I polished them out again. They never have held a shine very long since and have been high maintenance with spotting and tarnish. I should have had them cleared again.

    my father in law helps restore and maintain war birds with the CAF. He has been involved with polishing a few to mirror. A B-29 and a few P—51’s. They wax on wax off a lot. Lol! They clear coat the graphics and insignia and surrounding areas of bare aluminum for better protection.
     
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  7. mile marker 27

    mile marker 27 Road Train Member

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    I know that’s right!!! This is causing more work than I want to do.
     
    Boondock and Last Call Thank this.
  8. mile marker 27

    mile marker 27 Road Train Member

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    You guys have any ideas on what particular clear is best for aluminum, I’m all ears. I’ll be researching myself. The hood, with the exception of where it comes down behind the wheel, should see quite abit less abuse than tanks and wheels.
     
    Boondock Thanks this.
  9. kranky1

    kranky1 Road Train Member

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    Back when we polished a lot we used Blue Poly. Haven’t seen it for a while but that worked well. After a polish we put the Blue Poly to everything. Put a little on every few washes and a wipe now and again we were really only doing the big clean up polish in the spring. Everything is too pitted to polish anymore and I don’t like painted aluminum, we just go through a lot of acid these days.
     
    Boondock and wore out Thank this.
  10. Coolbreezin

    Coolbreezin Medium Load Member

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    I understand your buggy sees many many more miles a year than my . But I just polish her up before a big bike event. You may have to do it every month or so. Or...contact a polish company or maybe people that restore vehicles.
     
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