Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Posted: **Sun Jul 10, 2005 9:43 pm**

The first time I annealed some aluminum trim, I cleaned off the soot residue with mineral spirits, acetone, and paper towels. It was kind of messy, but worked OK.
Today after I was done I tried plain old SOS scouring pads. It worked fantastic. Not only did it take off the soot, but it polished the aluminum to a nice, not to bright finish. After rinsing it well, the water even beaded up. It does a nice job even if you aren't annealing it.
Al.

Posted: **Sun Jul 10, 2005 10:04 pm**

I think you didn't anneal the trim, just sooted it. From what I've read, you need to run a torch along the trim and heat it until the soot disappears and then it is annealed. If you want a really shiny finish, buy some 0000 steel wool at the hardware store and polish the trim with it. That stuff also works on old car trim and chrome, too.

Hope I read your post right.

Posted: **Mon Jul 11, 2005 7:30 am**

No, I heated it until the soot disappeared, but some soot always seems to remain.
Al.

Posted: **Mon Jul 11, 2005 12:07 pm**

Ah ha! Gotcha.

Posted: **Mon Jul 11, 2005 12:22 pm**

Just remember, once you put steel wool to the aluminum, you've taken away the surface anodizing and it will corode. You'll need to put a clear finish on it for protection.

Posted: **Wed Jul 13, 2005 6:12 pm**

Another problem with steel wool is that it will leave steel fibers in the aluminum and that will rust. I always use Scotch Brite to pollish aluminum with. Just my $.02 worth.

Posted: **Wed Jul 13, 2005 7:38 pm**

You beat me to it, you should use Scotch Brite.

Posted: **Wed Jul 13, 2005 8:10 pm**

Yep... or 0000 bronze wool which I always use around boats... Dave

Posted: **Wed Jul 13, 2005 8:38 pm**

DestinDave wrote: 0000 bronze wool

Bronze, huh? Never heard of it...... where does thoust purchase this?

Posted: **Wed Jul 13, 2005 8:51 pm**

WarPony wrote:
DestinDave wrote: 0000 bronze wool

Bronze, huh? Never heard of it...... where does thoust purchase this?

Marine supply stores. Might get tricky in Topeka, but one never knows, does one? :roll:

Of course, there's always the internet. You'd have to buy a case of the stuff to justify the shipping charges, but think of it this way: your great, great, grandchildren will bless you when they clean their aluminum trim with it.

Posted: **Wed Jul 13, 2005 9:49 pm**

Rocosil, I might have to get my new bud DestinDave to smuggle me a couple of pads into T-town!! Whatdayasay, Daver?!

Posted: **Wed Jul 13, 2005 9:56 pm**

Rocosil,

That is such a cool P544 I just cannot stand it. I have always wanted one.

Thanks,

Tom

Posted: **Thu Jul 14, 2005 5:32 am**

WarPony wrote:Rocosil, I might have to get my new bud DestinDave to smuggle me a couple of pads into T-town!! Whatdayasay, Daver?!

I think that's a definite possibility there Jeff... flip me an e-mail, eh?

Dave