SOS

[ahjones3]

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.

[WarPony]

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.

[ahjones3]

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

[WarPony]

Ah ha! Gotcha.

[Chris C]

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.

[MarksMG]

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.

[asianflava]

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

[DestinDave]

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

[WarPony]

0000 bronze wool

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

[Rocosil]

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? 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.

[WarPony]

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

[San Diegan]

Rocosil,

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

Thanks,

Tom

[DestinDave]

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