Cleaning up diamond plate bed rails

Thewespaul

Supporting Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Jul 27, 2015
Posts
8,796
Reaction score
8,058
Location
Bulverde, Texas
What are y’all recommendation for cleaning these up? I’m not afraid to polish by hand but I got to get the tarnish off first, scotch bright doesn’t come close to cleaning it up and wire wheel is too agressive, I’m half tempted to strip it and paint it, but I’m open to suggestions to before I go that far!
You must be registered for see images attach
 

79jasper

Chickenhawk
Joined
Oct 13, 2012
Posts
17,367
Reaction score
1,930
Location
Collinsville, Oklahoma
Might be able to use a polisher, but it's going to get ripped to shreds.
I've used nevrdull. Worked okay.
Wire brush works, but will remove the oxide layer.
I forget what it's called, but there's some stuff for aluminum livestock trailers. (Aluma brite)
I just saw a advertisement for a truck bed toolbox polish, but now can't find it

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Tapatalk
 

Thewespaul

Supporting Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Jul 27, 2015
Posts
8,796
Reaction score
8,058
Location
Bulverde, Texas
I’ll give those a shot, yeah anything foam gets shredded. Scotch bright pads didn’t last long when I were using those
 

laserjock

Almost there...
Supporting Member
Joined
Nov 20, 2012
Posts
8,841
Reaction score
3,129
Location
Maryland
Mothers mag and aluminum polish. Amazing stuff.
 

Clb

Another old truck
Supporting Member
Joined
Mar 1, 2013
Posts
5,702
Reaction score
2,163
Location
nannyfornia
Fwiw
Mine are clear coated with something.
 

Thewespaul

Supporting Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Jul 27, 2015
Posts
8,796
Reaction score
8,058
Location
Bulverde, Texas
Fwiw
Mine are clear coated with something.
Mine very well be as well, but they are original to the truck and they are fatigued quite a bit. May get them powder coated again but black or grey
 

pafixitman

Registered User
Joined
Jan 11, 2005
Posts
2,077
Reaction score
466
Location
Westminster, MD
Years ago Apextrans had some type of aircraft stripper that he used on my dually's running boards. Nasty stuff but then pressure washed and used (I want to say) 3 different grades of polish on them with a 8" angle grinder. I know he is on FB if you wanted to ask him what it was. His fleet is too big now for him to do his own.
 

lotzagoodstuff

Supporting Member
Supporting Member
Joined
May 19, 2007
Posts
2,726
Reaction score
668
Location
Carmel, IN
I've seen people use a liquid version of jeweler's rouge, or you could also try some of the super abrasive red paste rubbing compound if it's really oxidized. I'd try applying it with a white bristle brush as it's aggressive but shouldn't tear up the aluminum.

And remember: if you try a little spot and it seems like too much work, they will look awesome powder coated :p
 

Thewespaul

Supporting Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Jul 27, 2015
Posts
8,796
Reaction score
8,058
Location
Bulverde, Texas
Thanks for all the great suggestions guys, I’m not on Facebook or any social media really, and I don’t remember if I tried a brass wheel, but I’ll look into that for sure, just gotta find time to mess with it. Truck needs an oil change more than anything right now
 

Thewespaul

Supporting Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Jul 27, 2015
Posts
8,796
Reaction score
8,058
Location
Bulverde, Texas
You must be registered for see images attach


I’ve got cases of this on the shelf because I use it in everything, don’t know if it’s available anymore or not
 

79jasper

Chickenhawk
Joined
Oct 13, 2012
Posts
17,367
Reaction score
1,930
Location
Collinsville, Oklahoma

Forum statistics

Threads
91,217
Posts
1,128,519
Members
24,045
Latest member
Ramtough01

Members online

No members online now.
Top