Aluminum Scratch Removal

[Javanino]

I did a search but didn't find anything. I'm wondering what you guys suggest for removing scratches from .040 aluminum. I bought my skin from a truck supply shop. The 102" wide version. It was less than perfect from handling so I'm wondering what the best scratch removal method would be. Someone suggested 0000 steel wool and others have said very fine wet sandpaper.

[Martiangod]

start with 600 wet for light scratches, the move up to 1200 wet then 1600 wet and for mirror polish use baking flour with a terry towel

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandpaper

3M Perfect-It Ultrafine Machine Polish and a rotary buffer with lots of clean towel, as soon as the towel starts to blacken, switch it up

[Javanino]

Great info. Thanks!

[RandyG]

RO sander with 180 the step it up to 1000 or 1500 by hand, the only way is to blend it out the buff it.

[jonw]

Also, check out Nuvite polishes...

[BrwBier]

Scratch removal on the aluminum that you have is a matter of what you want to end out with. I have the same product on my trailer. I tried to polish some spots on mine and soon discovered that I am not dedicated enough to "polish" my whole trailer. That said I will tell you why. I had a hard time getting the finish to look uniform. For me at least it was very hard to do. I soon became discouraged and looked for other ideas. That was when I found this site.
http://kirkhammotorsports.com/manual2/bodyfinishing/bodyfinishing.shtml
It is a lot of work but it looks good for years with very little work once you are done. It is also easy to fix minor scuffs and the like by just doing more of what you did in the first place. Getting the grain to be straight has a learning curve to it but can be done. It is way easier than doing a car like in the instructions on the web site. Just use the products mentioned on the site as a guide line, dollar store window cleaner works great on the aluminum. Any way FWIW, that how I did mine and I think it looks pretty good.
Brwbier