Aluminium cleaner ?

[hudson]

I have used Simple Green (a enviromental safe degreaser) for initial scrubbing down, Then Autosol aluminum liquid cleaner. Then buff with Autosol alum paste polish.

[SteveD]

I have used Simple Green (a enviromental safe degreaser) for initial scrubbing down, Then Autosol aluminum liquid cleaner. Then buff with Autosol alum paste polish.

Simple green is good stuff to soak a part in to help clean it, eg a rocker cover. Too long though and it darkens the aluminium.

[hudson]

Good point Steve. I usually just spray on, scrub with a semi-soft brush and rinse as much as needed in an area, but glad you added this so others know. I really have had great results with that Autosol alum cleaner and polish applications.

[Kurt in S.A.]

Don't know if this was mentioned in the thread...just read where someone recommended Jasco Metal Prep, a phosphoric acid, available at Home Despot. Like other acids, it might leave a grayish tinge so try it in a hidden location to see if it does the job.

Kurt in S.A.

[Zombie Master]

I use a car polish like TR3. But as a cleaner, and I don't polish the cast alumium.

[Bentouttashape]

Autosol works well on my old rims and other bits. Clean first with any degreaser/detergent let dry then follow the directions.

Anybody know of an aluminum safe paint stripper?

The 74 R75/6 I recently rescued from garage oblivion had been painted, yes painted, by the original owner 25 years ago. Rims are silver paint, with black paint accents plus lots of other areas painted in same colour scheme. Good news is that underneath is a very low mileage, super straight bike.