Hi, how do i bring back the shine to an anodized aluminum grill? I've tried all the normal ways I can think of, but can't get it back to lookin' good. Its all milky and dull. What do you guys do????

 

Unfortunately, all you can do is paint it or spend the money to have it re-anodized. Anodizing is a form of aluminum oxide and does not polish, if that's where you were going.

 

There are some pretty high quality paints available at your local hardware store. You might consider spraying it a silver, aluminum, or chrome color. Of course, this isn't as good as having it re-anodized, but it is better than having it milky and worn.

I wonder if there would be a specific paint needed to adhere to the aluminum?

 

You don't need special paint, but a self etching primer, and good prep wouldn't hurt.

 

There are also some powder coat powders that look very much like chrome or shiny anodizing.

 

Hmmm, I had no idea there wans't anything i can do short of doing these methods metioned. What about fine steel wool or fine sandpaper (like 1500 grit or higher)?

 

what are you trying to achieve? If you are trying to polish the parts the 1500 would work, I think. I have never tried to polish anodized parts. But aluminum you usually start out a bit more aggressive and work your way down to progressively finer grits. depending on the condition of the surface.I would look into other options if you want an original appearance.

 

Anodizing is a VERY thin coating of aluminum oxide. Any abrasive (including 1500 steel wool) will remove the anodizing. You will be left with bare aluminum, which will corrode if not recoated with something.

 

Clean it the best you can and clear it.

 

OK, i was really hoping to be able to make it look good again myself, so i'll keep trying. The grill I'm talking about is actually from a 1964 Cadillac.

 

Hi, I have painted my 1967 442 headlight bezels with Duplicolor's chrome paint. They came out pretty nice. The problem is you can't clear coat or even wax this paint. When you do it dulls the paint. I did contact duplicolor and they stated the same thing I had found out. I have stripped them twice and repainted. I don't believe this will last very long? Really don't want to do this again. Is there someone you would recommend to have them anodized? Can they be chrome plated? I tried polishing them on a wheel to little avail. They just looked shiny crappy. Thanks for your help...

 

I thought i saw an ad for that flitz **** that said it could shine anoidized aluminum that was coroding? I'm not sure.... i must of thunk it lol