[TowerTalk] Aluminum tarnish removal

[Roger (K8RI)]

James C. Hall, MD wrote:
> Hi All:
>
>  
>
> I noticed this past FD that my F12 C3S had a bit of tarnish that was causing
> some resistance when trying to nest the tubes after the event. I know I
> probably should have been doing this all along, but what is the consensus on
> aluminum oxidation and tarnish removal ? I've tried Scotchbrite pads,
> Brasso, and Maaso metal polish. The Brasso works the best but really takes
> some elbow grease. I worked for a few hours today and got a couple of
> elements looking reasonable but with a few residual tarnish spots. I was
> beat after that !
>
>   
Imagine what it's like to polish a whole Aluminum airplane! <:-))
It takes me some 5 hours just to do a prop spinner.

One think you could do is clean it with the fine Scotch Brite and then 
use Alodine (which is also a lot of work) which will give it a nice, 
tarnish resistant Gold color.  Unfortunately the Alodine finish is a bit 
fragile from a mechanical standpoint.

Roger (K8RI - ARRL Life Member)
www.rogerhalstead.com
N833R (World's oldest Debonair)