Cleaning anodised aluminium

[Bristolfashion]

Hi all,

We are preparing the bits and pieces of our boat windows for refitting and I'm wondering about the best way to clean them.

Solvent will get off any black gunk, mechanical for heavy salts/corrosion/silicon.

Will it be ok to use Autosol for a final polish/removal of thin layers of corrosion or could this compromise the anodising?

Then a final clean with acetone before fitting is the plan.

Thanks as ever for your thoughts.

 

[[199490]]

Hi all,

We are preparing the bits and pieces of our boat windows for refitting and I'm wondering about the best way to clean them.

Solvent will get off any black gunk, mechanical for heavy salts/corrosion/silicon.

Will it be ok to use Autosol for a final polish/removal of thin layers of corrosion or could this compromise the anodising?

Then a final clean with acetone before fitting is the plan.

Thanks as ever for your thoughts.

Autosol do a polish specifically for anodised aluminium Autosol Anodized Aluminium Polish 75ml | The Polishing Shop but it’s really for people displaying their cars. For cleaning off grime, washing up liquid on one of those wash spongers with the Green rough side is usually effective. If there are scratches in the anodising, oxidisation will return quickly so the Polish or a clear lacquer would help.

 

[Aja]

I'm sure I've heard that WD40 wiped on aluminium cleaned and protects. Was for a may admittedly but no reason it wouldn't work on windows.

 

[BobnLesley]

...bits and pieces of our boat windows... I'm wondering about the best way to clean them.

The best way to go about it, is to hand them to your wife.

 

[Daydream believer]

You mentione corrosion. So that means that the anodising is knackered in areas anyway. So worrying about damaging is a bit late. Is it not?

 

[IanCC]

When i did my hatch it was recommended to me to usw chewing gum remover!

 

[Poignard]

Baby oil worked well on my aluminium mast and boom.

 

[Halo]

Decorative anodising is very thin so don’t use anything abrasive.

 

[Neeves]

It depends on cost, obviously, but if the yacht is a keeper and your emotive attachment is high then looking to have the frames re-anodised is an option. You can anodise your self (for small items) but window frames are a bit big.

Jonathan

 

[jakew009]

I ended up painting my anodised window frames.

Re-anodising isn't really an option. You will never get the metal clean enough and it will come back from anodising patchy and awful.

 

[Momac]

As said don't use anything abrasive as this might cut through the coating after which the polishing will have to be very regular .
Also avoid any acidic cleaners eg some strong degreasers .