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Author Topic: How do you keep a mirror finish on aluminum ?  (Read 11691 times)

Offline huntandjeep

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How do you keep a mirror finish on aluminum ?
« on: March 15, 2014, 08:22:02 AM »
I picked up a Pro Tech tool box for my new truck yesterday and want to keep the mirror finish. Anyone know if there's something you can put on like a wax so I don't have to polish it every week. Thanks Allen.
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Re: How do you keep a mirror finish on aluminum ?
« Reply #1 on: March 15, 2014, 08:30:34 AM »
corrosion x? or the name is very similar works really well I wipe my whole boat down with it like once a year

Offline jackelope

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Re: How do you keep a mirror finish on aluminum ?
« Reply #2 on: March 15, 2014, 08:49:45 AM »
Huntnphool!! Where are you?? Phool can help.
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Offline Wacenturion

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Re: How do you keep a mirror finish on aluminum ?
« Reply #3 on: March 15, 2014, 07:36:11 PM »
Huntnphool!! Where are you?? Phool can help.

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Offline demontang

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Re: How do you keep a mirror finish on aluminum ?
« Reply #4 on: March 15, 2014, 07:47:15 PM »
Clear coat or clean the heck out of it and put on a anti corrosion coating. Alum does corrod and its kind of a white film it gets. So find a product that can coat the aluminum

Offline lazydrifter

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Re: How do you keep a mirror finish on aluminum ?
« Reply #5 on: March 16, 2014, 08:06:34 AM »
Sharkhide.   Only way to go.

Offline HUNTINCOUPLE

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Re: How do you keep a mirror finish on aluminum ?
« Reply #7 on: March 16, 2014, 08:36:58 AM »
Heard sharkhide is the way to go, next toolbox I get I will use this after polishing!

http://www.sharkhide.com/
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Offline huntnphool

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Re: How do you keep a mirror finish on aluminum ?
« Reply #8 on: March 16, 2014, 09:41:09 AM »
I picked up a Pro Tech tool box for my new truck yesterday and want to keep the mirror finish. Anyone know if there's something you can put on like a wax so I don't have to polish it every week. Thanks Allen.


What part of your truck is polished aluminum?
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Re: How do you keep a mirror finish on aluminum ?
« Reply #9 on: March 16, 2014, 10:33:18 AM »

Offline huntandjeep

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Re: How do you keep a mirror finish on aluminum ?
« Reply #10 on: March 16, 2014, 11:48:02 AM »
I picked up a Pro Tech tool box for my new truck yesterday and want to keep the mirror finish. Anyone know if there's something you can put on like a wax so I don't have to polish it every week. Thanks Allen.


What part of your truck is polished aluminum?
.  The tool box
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Offline huntnphool

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Re: How do you keep a mirror finish on aluminum ?
« Reply #11 on: March 16, 2014, 11:55:41 AM »
I picked up a Pro Tech tool box for my new truck yesterday and want to keep the mirror finish. Anyone know if there's something you can put on like a wax so I don't have to polish it every week. Thanks Allen.


What part of your truck is polished aluminum?
.  The tool box
Diamondplate?
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Offline huntnphool

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Re: How do you keep a mirror finish on aluminum ?
« Reply #12 on: March 16, 2014, 12:13:25 PM »
Sharkhide.   Only way to go.
I have never been pleased with the outcome after using Sharkhide, tried several different times and methods of applying. After taking HOURS preparing my aluminum for the application, the end result was always disappointing, and dull.

 I spent the time polishing because in the end I wanted a mirror finish. Sharkhide may help in the longevity of the finish overall, but what's the point if you are stuck with a finish that looks less than what you know it can? :dunno:

 I have not tried it again in the last couple years so maybe they have come out with a better application process. Wiping it on does not give the results I was looking for with a polished finish. If I started with a non polished finish it would likely never be noticed.

 I figured I would hold onto what I had left in case someone came up with a way to thin and spray it, (acetone, thinner) I think that will be the only way to maintain a true polished finish but have not heard of anyone being successful this way. :twocents:

 
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Offline huntandjeep

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Re: How do you keep a mirror finish on aluminum ?
« Reply #13 on: March 16, 2014, 01:45:04 PM »
I picked up a Pro Tech tool box for my new truck yesterday and want to keep the mirror finish. Anyone know if there's something you can put on like a wax so I don't have to polish it every week. Thanks Allen.


What part of your truck is polished aluminum?
.  The tool box
Diamondplate?
. No its smooth aluminum.
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Offline huntandjeep

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Re: How do you keep a mirror finish on aluminum ?
« Reply #14 on: March 16, 2014, 01:47:31 PM »
Here's a picture
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Offline huntnphool

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Re: How do you keep a mirror finish on aluminum ?
« Reply #15 on: March 16, 2014, 01:57:59 PM »
I picked up a Pro Tech tool box for my new truck yesterday and want to keep the mirror finish. Anyone know if there's something you can put on like a wax so I don't have to polish it every week. Thanks Allen.


What part of your truck is polished aluminum?
.  The tool box
Diamondplate?
. No its smooth aluminum.
Even better!!! Polishing diamond plate is a real PITA!!! :chuckle:

If you want it looking like mirror at all times then continuous polishing is going to be the only way. Anything you put on it will dull the finish. That being said, paint may be a good option, as long as you treat your box like you treat the rest of the paint on the truck. Clear paint will leave the best final finish without dulling too much, and will stay that way as long as you dont chip it, same as the car. :twocents:
The things that come to those who wait, may be the things left by those who got there first!

Offline huntnphool

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Re: How do you keep a mirror finish on aluminum ?
« Reply #16 on: March 16, 2014, 02:03:51 PM »
Here's a picture

Very nice. I think you should just resign to the fact that you will need to polish it every 6 months, that would be my approach. :dunno:
The things that come to those who wait, may be the things left by those who got there first!

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Re: How do you keep a mirror finish on aluminum ?
« Reply #17 on: March 16, 2014, 05:38:14 PM »
That clear-coat paint in a rattle-can you can get for aluminum wheels would be what I'd try.  Otherwise it's scrub-a-dub-dub.  Especially if you drive where they put that deicer stuff on the roads in the winter!  :twocents:
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Re: How do you keep a mirror finish on aluminum ?
« Reply #18 on: March 16, 2014, 05:43:44 PM »
Flitz........
I couldn't care less about what anybody says..............

Offline porkchop

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Re: How do you keep a mirror finish on aluminum ?
« Reply #19 on: March 17, 2014, 10:30:09 PM »
Flitz........


I'll agree with that.. got a couple friends that drive log trucks and they say that's the best stuff they've used so far and lasts quite a while. I've ran protech boxes in every truck I've ever owned and the newest one I bought close to 4 years ago and if you keep it washed and towel dry it afterwards it holds its shine. Main thing is to keep the de-icer off it that will kill the shine in no time..

Offline runamuk

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Re: How do you keep a mirror finish on aluminum ?
« Reply #20 on: March 17, 2014, 10:37:45 PM »
Flitz........
ok so will this work on aluminum rims

Offline huntnphool

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Re: How do you keep a mirror finish on aluminum ?
« Reply #21 on: March 18, 2014, 12:03:23 AM »
The things that come to those who wait, may be the things left by those who got there first!

Offline runamuk

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Re: How do you keep a mirror finish on aluminum ?
« Reply #22 on: March 18, 2014, 12:43:24 AM »

Offline CAMPMEAT

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Re: How do you keep a mirror finish on aluminum ?
« Reply #23 on: March 18, 2014, 06:45:37 AM »
I used to use it on diamond plate drop axle fenders. You put FLITZ on a heavy piece of carpet, 6x4 inches, or whatever works and rub, rub , rub, Then take a piece of clean carpet, same size and polish it off. SHAG carpet won't work............ :chuckle:
I couldn't care less about what anybody says..............

Offline huntandjeep

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Re: How do you keep a mirror finish on aluminum ?
« Reply #24 on: March 18, 2014, 04:08:47 PM »
Never thought of Flitz as a protectant. I used to use it all the time for polishing my  rims.
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Re: How do you keep a mirror finish on aluminum ?
« Reply #25 on: March 18, 2014, 09:44:50 PM »
Never thought of Flitz as a protectant. I used to use it all the time for polishing my  rims.
It doesn't protect aluminum, it only polishes it.
The things that come to those who wait, may be the things left by those who got there first!

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Re: How do you keep a mirror finish on aluminum ?
« Reply #26 on: March 18, 2014, 10:37:19 PM »
Opti Coat   http://www.optimumcarcare.com/ocoat1.php?li=4
Expensive, but worth every penny.
It's all I use on both my polished aluminum Pro Tech headache racks on the trucks and it's awesome for the upper half of my horse trailer which is polished aluminum.
Every other year application.  You should probably go every year if your really picky as mine start to show their "age" about this time of the year coming up on a summer application time.

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Re: How do you keep a mirror finish on aluminum ?
« Reply #27 on: March 18, 2014, 11:34:17 PM »
I'm buying a Featherlite stock/combo trailer and was also wondering what would be best to make it really shine and protect it?

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Re: How do you keep a mirror finish on aluminum ?
« Reply #28 on: March 23, 2014, 10:42:14 PM »
Rob, you ought to show a picture of that shiny North River and trailer.  He is always easy to find on the water, just look for the rays of gleaming light coming from the water!!  Warning do not anchor near him on sunny days....   lol

I personally go for the dull, grey battle ship look.. :chuckle:

Offline huntnphool

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Re: How do you keep a mirror finish on aluminum ?
« Reply #29 on: March 25, 2014, 02:00:53 PM »
Rob, you ought to show a picture of that shiny North River and trailer.  He is always easy to find on the water, just look for the rays of gleaming light coming from the water!!  Warning do not anchor near him on sunny days....   lol

I personally go for the dull, grey battle ship look.. :chuckle:
Here is the boat.

A few months ago I noticed the paint on the exhaust manifold risers has finally started to bubble, happens to all boats eventually. So yesterday I dove in and removed the risers with the intent of sand blasting and powder coating before putting back on.

 Once I pulled them I noticed that the manifolds as well as the risers are aluminum, I thought they might be but wasn't sure. I purchased the boat new in '04 and after 10 years you can see that the engine still looks pretty good, risers are not noticably that corroded.

 The last pic is one of the risers after removing. This is where the exaust tube was connected, you can see the work that its going to take to look good again.

 I'm going to blast them and then polish them since they are aluminum. I'll post pics of the progress as I go.
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Re: How do you keep a mirror finish on aluminum ?
« Reply #30 on: March 25, 2014, 02:04:08 PM »
It's a shame that boat isn't used more to show the wear and tear!! :chuckle: Look he even photoshopped his boat pics  :chuckle:
The only man who never makes a mistake, is the man who never does anything!!
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Offline huntnphool

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Re: How do you keep a mirror finish on aluminum ?
« Reply #31 on: March 25, 2014, 02:09:35 PM »
It's a shame that boat isn't used more to show the wear and tear!! :chuckle: Look he even photoshopped his boat pics  :chuckle:
Odom shows 300+ hours, and it doesn't count up when running the kicker, that has about the same amount of time on it. ;)
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Re: How do you keep a mirror finish on aluminum ?
« Reply #32 on: March 26, 2014, 03:37:11 PM »
Just sell me the hunk of tin and I'll even let you keep the tennis ball :chuckle:

 


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