cmonkey713

I checked on the NAPA web site today and it wasn't listed.

ALLEGRO

You will be amazed at how a green Stotch Brite pad will do.

I was going to take off my alternator and buff it, but hit it for about 10 minutes with the pad and decided it was good enough.

Good Luck

cmonkey713

Did you use the green Scotch-Brite on an air drill or something or by hand? If by machine what exactly did you use and where did you get it? Thanks!

cmonkey713

I stopped by NAPA and asked if they had any "Aluminum Btite".The guy points over to some shelves and sez "look on the bottom shelf just to the left of the Simple Green gallons". Part number #1485. I have not had time to use it yet but I will report on how it works in the next few days or so. Thanks for everyones help on this.

ALLEGRO

Just did it by hand, amazing results considering how easy it is to do.

I spent about a half-hour on the alternator and bracket, and it really cleans up the look.

Good Luck

rcmigpilot

Anyone try the Sharkhide aluminum cleaner? I just saw it used on Trucks on Spike (yes I know its pretty much just an infomercial) but it looked like it worked pretty well for a spray on, rinse off cleaner to brighten aluminum w/o a bunch of work.

http://www.sharkhide.com/acinfo.html

tlc0706

OK!....Where are we here?... Any pictures?

oh1vette

cmonkey713

Once I start the project I will post pics of before, during and after including what products were used and the overall experience. Everyone has given me some great ideas on this. Thanks to all for the help.

got2hav1

Be sure to keep us advised. My car sat for almost a year at the dealer and a lot of the suspension parts need to be detailed. Looking forward to your report!

cmonkey713

So I had the day off and what better way to spend the day than cleaning the undercarriage. The "Aluminum Brightener" from NAPA was amazing. Simply spray it on, wait 30 seconds and take some green Scotch Brite and gently wipe on it a little, rinse with water and blow dry with an air hose, looks better than new. The aluminum is all one color, not tarnished or discolored or dirty. It looks better than when I picked it up from the NCM. It almost looks like it was painted with silver paint. I think that I will now try the Power Ball with some Mother's Aluminum polish and just see what happens. I am here to tell you it is truly unbelievable.

I learned a few things along the way. Wear rubber gloves, if you don't your hands take a beating with the "Aluminum Brightener" and the black stuff that comes off the parts when using the Scotch Brite. It took me about five hours to do everything under the car that is aluminum. I decided to take the calipers and brackets off for better access and then I just pulled the rotors too. I'm going to detail everything and slowly put it all back together. More to come.

cmonkey713

Once I got it all cleaned up I just thought, what the heck, I'' just try some Mothers Aluminum polish and #0000 steel wool. I just thought I would do one of the upper A-arms. Well one thing led to another and I have now spent about 10 hours on the front. While I was there I removed the calipers and rotors and gave everything a good detailing. I may not get to the back until next weekend. I will keep you informed on how the project is going. Taking pics along the way.

tlc0706

Couldn't talk you into showing some of those pics HUHHH?

cmonkey713

Here are a couple of shots after the Aluminum Brightner was applied. The next step is the #0000 steel wool and Mother's Aluminum Polish. Stay tuned.

JimC5

WOW...that really cleaned up nice!

AntonioZ06

holy cow that looks great. Definitely on my "to do" list. How much of the aluminum brightener are you using per area? Do you have to really soak it on, or just a few spritz here and there?

I wanna do basically the same thing as you, and get those wheel well plastics to look clean and black again

cmonkey713

I used NAPA aluminum Brightener #1458 in the 32 oz plastic spray bottle. I think it was about $10.00 or so.

I used about 2/3 of the bottle on the everything aluminum under the car. You just spray it on and wait about 30 sec. for it to soak and then rinse it off with water. It is a little messy and it does stink because it is a very mild acid wash. You must use rubber gloves or you will really "dry burn" your hands with this stuff. Try to keep it off of anything not aluminum. Have plenty of old towels to mop up the water. On stubborn oxidation I used Green or Grey Scotchbrite to scrub it a little while it is working. It is pretty amazing stuff if you can put up with the mess. I hope to finish everything this weekend and will post pics of the finished project. Just let me know if you have any other questions.

memphis_vette

looks awesome this is on my to-do list...my car is a 98 coupe and is my DD so my undercarriage needs some work

2004c5blackcoupe

First wire wheel all aluminum suspension parts to clean and brighten.
Then use Mothers Billet metal polish for super bright finish.

f6john

To the op, I'd like to see some before pics. Somehow I doubt that your undercarriage was too bad to begin with. I'd just like to see what change the wash made.