Cleaning up dirty aluminum window frames

[thunder550]

gdane's thread about scratched stainless window frames reminded me that I need to do some cleanup work on my aluminum frames. What have you guys used to clean them up before? Lots of dirt and/or rub marks in my frames. I've tried normal cleaners like Windex and Simple Green, they don't do anything.

IMG_20171231_170901.jpg

[Tuscany]

Personally, Mothers brand mag polish and a buffer will make aluminum look brand freakin' new again. Problem here is the tight spaces and glass.
Elbow grease time, I'm afraid..

[gdane]

Hey Thunder and Tuscany, Yes the Mothers will work on the Aluminum frames I had the aluminium frames on my 2002 246. Also try the Mothers Power cone for the tight spots and remember to cover up the interior!!!

[Tuscany]

You have to be careful on clean stainless. The compound has to be non abrasive. The buffer pad, preferably foam pad, has to be the abrasive portion with no other help.
My dealer, when detailing my brand effing new boat, used a buffer on the stainless hardware on the swim deck hinges, putting swirl marks on the hardware..
Kids doing prep work on a boat..

[thunder550]

Thanks guys!

[gdane]

You have to be careful on clean stainless. The compound has to be non abrasive. The buffer pad, preferably foam pad, has to be the abrasive portion with no other help.
My dealer, when detailing my brand effing new boat, used a buffer on the stainless hardware on the swim deck hinges, putting swirl marks on the hardware..
Kids doing prep work on a boat..

Tuscany, I'll bet that's what happened to my windshield frames! Were you able to remove any of the swirl marks? Someone said that they used a product called Flitz? and the mothers power ball and drill and it removed some but not all??

[thunder550]

Is a wool pad on a buffer ok for aluminum? I'd think the foam pads would get torn up in a hurry against the edge of the window frame.

[cmattj]

As Im glad I just did the top rub marks with the wacky polish drill and mothers. YT had the plan with the cloth buffing wheels and microfine polish designed for stainless.

Geeze ill never make it as a detailer...

[AsLan7]

Someone said that they used a product called Flitz?

Man, I used to use that tube in the 80's on the brass radiator of our Austin Healey to make it shine. Talk about a flashback. Made with "german" ingredients and manufactured up by BBp I believe. Not a bad product.



.
Personally, my preference is Nevr Dull -- (even though my dad used to punish my brother and me by making us polish our antique brass bed with it). Basically cotton wadding that came out of the military. Great stuff which I still use today. Will clean up the stainless nicely and is very workable with a windshield frame.

Here's a pic of what it used to look like ....


Currenly on Amazon for $9 bucks. (I prefer it over the Eagle One version). Read the reviews regarding stainless steel....
https://www.amazon.com/Nevr-Dull-NEVER- ... B00097CRY6


.

[Big Block Power]

Yea Flitz is good. I use it. The wad stuff. Man I haven't seen that in awhile. It's good stuff