Aluminum Polish Recommendation?

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BryanPendleton

New member
I have a project car that I have been working for years to put together. Finally got her up and running and took her out this weekend. Anyway, the engine bay has lots of polished aluminum goodies that have oxidized and lost there luster after sitting in my garage for two years with no up keep.



I am looking for a polish that will bring my polished aluminum engine to her former glory:



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FYI, I have some Mothers alumunim polish and IMO it is useless. I even used it with pnematic buffing tools, and it simply does not deliever any results. Prefer a product that can be used by hand.
 
I use and really like Flitz Metal Polish.This stuff works on almost any surface. Very easy to use to. Very little residue to buff off.
 
The Mother's Billet polish is outstanding. Is that the one you have? I'd be shocked to hear that the Billet version didn't get you results.



I apply Mother's Billet with blue nitrile gloves, then AIO, and then some SG to seal and help keep dust off. The Klasse does well since my aluminum is in high temp areas and the acrylic is very resistent.
 
stevet said:
I use and really like Flitz Metal Polish.This stuff works on almost any surface. Very easy to use to. Very little residue to buff off.
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I would never do without Flitz in the collection :up P21s multi surface restorer seems similar but definitely an addition, not a replacement for Flitz.
 
T. Perinne said:
The Mother's Billet polish is outstanding. Is that the one you have? I'd be shocked to hear that the Billet version didn't get you results.
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One of the better OTC stuff IMO.
 
I was/am a fan of Mother's Billet until I tried the new Meguiar's NXT Metal Polish. Very good product with decent protection (all metal polish products will eventually dull). You also might consider Zoop Seal once the items are polished. Supposed to last 1-2 years with minimal care. I'm going to try it on my non-clear coated aluminum wheels this winter.
 
I know manufacturers seem to take different routes with regard to metal polishes. See you have the abrasive route and the solvent route and perhaps combinations in between. It this something I should be concerned about.



Heavy Metal - appears abrassive

Flitz - seems to be a solvent

Mothers Billet - ?

Mothers M&A - ?

others ?



Oh and the Mothers I am using is definately not Billet. I don't recall what it is but I do know it is OLD. Its in a can similar to M&A, but its all white.
 
Mag & Aluminum and Billet Metal polish are both abrasive based products.



A solvent based product will not "polish" aluminum, it will only wipe the dirt off.
 
Pats300zx said:
T Perinne...what is the purpose of the blue nitrile gloves??? does this aid in the polishing or something???
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It has got to be one of the best tricks I've learned here at Autopia... a representative from Mothers, I don't recall his name, posted the suggestion here in the forums. Apply the Billet polish directly using the golves, no cloth or pad of any sort. The gloves do not absorb any product so waste is eliminated. They also save polishing clothes from getting ruined by tarnish, just discard the gloves after each use. Also, the texture of the gloves seems to really help polish while not scratching my alminum wheels... and of course, no tarnish on your hands. I also find it much easier to get in the nooks and crevices with my gloved hand vs. a polishing cloth or pad - very helpful with wheels that are intricately shaped.
 
Great tip. I think it was Forrest from Mothers that posted about them. I saw the nitrile gloves at Home Depot. I am going to have to pick some up and give this a try. :up



Would sure save on polishing clothes....:bounce
 
Yep, got mine too but I see that smaller car parts stores sell them by the box :up



Pat,



wanted to ask you: Do you use a Dremel and cotton wheel to do your entire exhaust pipe?
 
Hmm..I know a 4" wool pad via PC or probably rotary works great on mufflers, wonder how that would do on the rest of the exhaust system, you could follow up what it can't get with the Dremel :D
 
Remember that not all metals are created equal. If you do not get a high shine with the Mag and Aluminum Polish, it could be that your metal can only be taken so far. If you try the Billet Polish and get the same negative results...then I would bet the metal is just not highly polish-able. By the way, the recommended method of application for both products is primarily by hand.
 
You might also try a cotton buffing wheel drill attachment for those areas that you are able to use it. There are 2 types of wheels: Sewn and Loose. Sewn is used to polish and you can use an aggressive product like Simichrome or Wenol Red. The Loose can be used as a final buff with Meguiar's NXT Metal or Mother's Billet cream. These are the least aggressive metal polishes and will give your parts a very deep shine.



I do lots of wheels and engine parts.



Here's a set of Team III Halibrands showing the inner rim and a mounted wheel.
 

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