I have an airstream thats been sitting in the woods for 10 years, it got a little greenish and lost it's lustre. I saw a normal one today and is was nice and shiney and i wanted to know how to clean it.
2007-07-22 17:10:17 · 9 answers · asked by Blacob 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
i think if water worked it would clean of in the rain or with a hose
2007-07-22 17:13:06 · update #1
They actually make cleaners for aluminum. contact a nearby HVAC repair man & get some "coil cleaner" for aluminum coils.
Google "HVAC coil cleaner"
2007-07-22 18:17:02 · answer #1 · answered by gejandsons 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Go to an automotive paint store and buy yourself a large container of etching acid. This stuff is fairly mild, but will clean and etch aluminum. You will need rubber gloves and turn the cuffs back so the acid won't run off the gloves onto your arms when you reach up. You probably should wear old clothing that you wouldn't mind ruining.
The acid will also etch the finish and remove a little luster, but it should be uniform and look nice. You can always polish the aluminum after you get it clean. It probably has surface corrosion that messes up the finish anyway.
Make sure that you don't allow the acid to seep into openings and remain there.
For paint to stick to metal, the metal surface must be really clean. Paint will stick to aluminum very well if it is etched before painting.
If acid scares you and you really want the surface clean and shiny, you can buy a buffer and metal polish. Then spend a lot of time working on the finish.
The green is probably algae or moss. Chlorine bleach will kill that stuff, but treat chlorine bleach pretty much like the etching acid and wash it off as soon as you finished.
2007-07-22 17:25:15 · answer #2 · answered by plezurgui 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Start with soap and water, or even a pressure washer. If that doesn't bring back the shine then you will have to get an aluminum polish and go over it to get the finish you want.
2007-07-22 17:14:06 · answer #3 · answered by Fordman 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
you can get some wheel polish that is made for aluminum wheels at any auto parts store. that coca-cola thing will work in a jam on battery terminals, but not on what you are talking about.for example, it is sugar water, pour it on and wait for the ants to invade your trailer. thank you.
2007-07-22 17:13:26 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
pour some coca cola on it and then scrub with a rough cloth. 15 minutes later shine with a soft cloth.
2007-07-22 17:13:25 · answer #5 · answered by itz_ma_life 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Coca Cola and a brush.
2007-07-22 17:13:11 · answer #6 · answered by hwb111 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
water
2007-07-22 17:12:08 · answer #7 · answered by Jay V 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
vinegar. Go to walmart they have things for this
2007-07-22 17:13:32 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
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Soap n water !
THE BEST !!!
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2007-07-22 17:13:51 · answer #9 · answered by Tasty-BOY 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋