Cleaning up diamond plate bed rails

[Thewespaul]

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!

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[TurboSurge]

I’m not sure if it’ll give it a shine but acetone would work well to clean the aluminium.

 

[79jasper]

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

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[Thewespaul]

I’ll give those a shot, yeah anything foam gets shredded. Scotch bright pads didn’t last long when I were using those

 

[laserjock]

Mothers mag and aluminum polish. Amazing stuff.

 

[Thewespaul]

Mothers mag and aluminum polish. Amazing stuff.

It’s my go to for aluminum, but it won’t cut through this corrosion which is my issue

 

[Clb]

Fwiw
Mine are clear coated with something.

 

[Thewespaul]

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]

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]

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

 

[chillman88]

Have you tried a BRASS wire brush? Shouldn't cut it up like the steel would.

 

[Thewespaul]

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

 

[snicklas]

What oil are you going to use?

 

[Thewespaul]

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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]

Oh you can't do that. It doesn't have the right additives for a idi......

I also forget about those stripping wheels. Like a roloc disc, harbor freight 91372.

Here's some decent tips. http://www.uniquetruckaccessories.com/blog/polishing-diamond-plate-aluminum
https://trebormanufacturing.com/2017/05/01/4-tips-to-clean-your-aluminum-tool-boxes/

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