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Topic: Deep Alum Polish (Read 2268 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Deep Alum Polish

Reply #25 –

 

Quote from: kb0zke –
.......................I'll look for one of the alternatives you mentioned. Would Wal-Mart or O'Reilly's have either one?.....................
David,
You won't find them in Wal Mart or O'Reilly's.
The Britemax products "Easy Cut and "Final Shine" were originally from a US Company.  Now the company is home based in the UK.
The two products are highly regarded by detailers, worldwide, as the best metal cleaner, polish and sealant combo available today. So much so that detailers nicknamed the two products the 'Metal Twins', a name that Britemax has now adopted.
There are only a few American outlets.  One is just up the road from our home in NH - Berube's Truck and Chrome Accessories.
Catalog for Berube's Truck Accessories
Click on the above and then on the link to Berube's online catalog:  The metal cleaner is on page 90 of their catalog under "Fluff and Buff Stuff."


And here's a link to an Amazon online source for the Simichrome Polish. Amazon.com: Simichrome Metal Polish: Automotive
A $10.00 tube should last for several Alcoa wheels (6 to 8 easily).
I know, its a pain to wait for the internet purchase delivery, but well worth the wait.
 
Neal
 
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Neal (& Brenda) Pillsbury
'02 U320 SPEC, 4200, DGFE, Build #5984
'04 Gold Wing
'07 Featherlite 24'
'14 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit
MC #14494
Exeter, NH & LaBelle FL
Quality makes the Heart Soar long after Price is Forgotten

Re: Deep Alum Polish

Reply #26 –
Thanks, Neal. Jo Ann just told me that the charge from Phat showed up on the credit card, so we'll see what shows up here.

Waiting for a delivery isn't all that bad when the arrival of the item means work...

Re: Deep Alum Polish

Reply #27 –
I was introduced to Simichrome when I had my 1966 Harley Sprint (in 1966). I have used it more recently on our Rodriguez polished aluminum tandem bicycle. It puts a fine shine on the aluminum. However, my experience has been that the shine goes quickly when water (or sweat) hits the aluminum. A sealer or wax of some kind is probably in order.

The wheels on our coach are available for someone to demonstrate the best products and methods. :P
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: Deep Alum Polish

Reply #28 –
Quote from: J. D. Stevens –
.........................my experience has been that the shine goes quickly when water (or sweat) hits the aluminum. A sealer or wax of some kind is probably in order..........................
I agree Dave.
 Even though Simichrome says that "their polish leaves a thin, invisible, protective film which lasts much longer than other brands of polish", I have found that while the polish is outstanding, the protective film needs to be a good paste wax in order for the shine to last well.  Water spots (and road film chemicals plus water) easily eat away the Simichrome protective film.  I always follow Simichrome Polish with Meguire's paste wax (or Mother's) and touch it up with Wash 'n Wax All (WAWA) with each coach wash.  Lasts extremely well that way.
BTW, when Simichrome is used to polish Alcoa wheels, you can bring the aluminum to a shine rivaling that of a mirror and then even further enhance it by rubbing the freshly polished surface with dry, powdered cornmeal .  The cornmeal removes the last remnants of polish from the pores of the aluminum.  Now follow with Meguire's, (and WAWA regularly) and the shine stays good for a very long time...2 years or more.
Neal
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Neal (& Brenda) Pillsbury
'02 U320 SPEC, 4200, DGFE, Build #5984
'04 Gold Wing
'07 Featherlite 24'
'14 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit
MC #14494
Exeter, NH & LaBelle FL
Quality makes the Heart Soar long after Price is Forgotten

Re: Deep Alum Polish

Reply #29 –
A bottle of deep>alume arrived today. It appears to be a bit dusty, so maybe I got the last bottle on the shelf (or maybe behind/below the shelf). Anyway, I guess I have another project to work on.

BTW, the web site on the bottle, deepfinish.com doesn't load.

Re: Deep Alum Polish

Reply #30 –
The results of Mothers on saturday or at least about a half hr :D
Andy & Eileen
MONTROSE COLORADO
1992 U300  40' 6V92 TA
2016 4 Runner
1998 Jeep Grand cherokee

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee) Build # 4135 Skp# 122921

Re: Deep Alum Polish

Reply #31 –
Looks nice, Andy.  The PO of our coach left us some Mothers alum/chrome polish in the basement; think I'll go ahead and try it out given your results.
1996 U295 36' WTBI

Re: Deep Alum Polish

Reply #32 –
I ended up using the stuff below.  Worked great.  I made it even easier by hiring a couple of recruits waiting for their posting at the navy base to polish the coach and wheels.  Used about 1/4 of it.

Keith

Britemax Easy Cut + Final Shine & Sealant (Each btl. is 16 oz.) - .95 :
Keith, Joyce & Smokey the Australian Cattle Dog
1995 U320 SE Extreme 40' WTBI Build # 4780, with a Honda CR-V hopefully still following behind.
Motorcade # 17030
FMCA # F422159

Re: Deep Alum Polish

Reply #33 –
The best tool I have found for polishing my wheels it the Mother's Brand Power Ball and Power Cone. Both are available from Orielly's. They work best with Simichrome but make even the lesser brands work much better. Although a little expensive they are worth every penny in their labor saving.

One tip, wash them thoroughly with warm water and dish soap and rinse after each use. The Polishes will disintegrate the foam if left in it in storage.
The selected media item is not currently available.Kent Speers
Locust Grove, OK
1993 U300 SSE 40' (Restored at FOT 2009) Build 4323
720 watts Solar
6V92TA DDEC Silver Engine
2014 Subaru Outback

Re: Deep Alum Polish

Reply #34 –


"One tip, wash them thoroughly with warm water and dish soap and rinse after each use. The Polishes will disintegrate the foam if left in it in storage."
 
    Thanks for the tip Kent--I have the Power Ball works great but it is falling apart--time
  to get a new one..Now I know how to make it last.
                        Jim
Jim & Doreen
2003 U320

 "Too often I would hear men boast of the miles covered that day, rarely of what they had seen"
― Louis L'Amour

Re: Deep Alum Polish

Reply #35 –
Quote from: jtm2014 –

    Thanks for the tip Kent--I have the Power Ball works great but it is falling apart--time
  to get a new one..Now I know how to make it last.

Jim,

Didn't/doesn't your '03 have Durabrite on the Alcoa's? 

Wheel Polish
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Deep Alum Polish

Reply #36 –
I just called Phat Performance they don not have any Deep>Alume in stock and could not tell me when they would get any in. If any of you fine folks get your hands on a extra bottle I would gladly purchase one.

Thanks
Craog
Craig Wickham
1997 U295 36 Ft.

Re: Deep Alum Polish

Reply #37 –
"Jim,

Didn't/doesn't your '03 have Durabrite on the Alcoa's?"

  Yes Michelle,
    I am ashamed to say that I haven't polished the wheels on the coach yet.
    I used Mothers and PowerBall on my cars wheels.
    Will get to clean the coach soon--I hope

                                  Jim
Jim & Doreen
2003 U320

 "Too often I would hear men boast of the miles covered that day, rarely of what they had seen"
― Louis L'Amour

Re: Deep Alum Polish

Reply #38 –
Quote from: jtm2014 –

    I am ashamed to say that I haven't polished the wheels on the coach yet.
    I used Mothers and PowerBall on my cars wheels.

With the Durabrite you wouldn't want to use the Mothers or the Powerball.  And you won't need to.
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Deep Alum Polish

Reply #39 –
I just use windex and paper towels, works great! :D
Richard & Betty Bark & Keiko our Golden Doodle
2003 U320T 3820 PBDS
Build # 6215
MC # 16926
2016 Chevrolet Colorado 4X4 diesel

Re: Deep Alum Polish

Reply #40 –
Quote from: Michelle –
Didn't/doesn't your '03 have Durabrite on the Alcoa's? 
Michelle,
 
Do you know when they started providing Durabrites?
 
Trent
Trent and Jean Eyler
2000  U295  4003  WTFE  ISC  350
Build#5603 MC#17385

Re: Deep Alum Polish

Reply #41 –
Your rims are stamped.  Alcoa rims manufactured after November 2002, are apt to be Durabrites. 
See:  Wheel Polish
BTW,
Glass Plus has a pH of 9
(neutral pH = 7.0), neither acidic nor caustic
Windex has a pH of 11 (+), depending upon the fancy derivatives of the basic blue Windex.  There are many.
Therefore, Glass Plus is much safer to use on mirrors (not as likely to lift the mirror backing at the edges, leaving those ugly black marks in spots around the outer edges) and is much preferred for the Durabrites, as every scratch is an opportunity for the higher pH Windex to get under the Durabrite surface finish and magnify the existence of the scratch.  Glass Plus is also much less corrosive on faucet and shower plated fixtures.
Neal
The selected media item is not currently available.
Neal (& Brenda) Pillsbury
'02 U320 SPEC, 4200, DGFE, Build #5984
'04 Gold Wing
'07 Featherlite 24'
'14 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit
MC #14494
Exeter, NH & LaBelle FL
Quality makes the Heart Soar long after Price is Forgotten

Re: Deep Alum Polish

Reply #42 –
Neal, thanks for that information :D
Richard & Betty Bark & Keiko our Golden Doodle
2003 U320T 3820 PBDS
Build # 6215
MC # 16926
2016 Chevrolet Colorado 4X4 diesel

Re: Deep Alum Polish

Reply #43 –
Alcoa put the Durabrite on my 2001 coach that was built in 2000.  They came with the instructions to not use anything on them, except car wash soap and water.  They were hand dipped and came with a 5 year warranty.  They later came out with a mechanized way of finishing them.  My originals lasted just a little over 4 years before they began to peel.  After notifying Alcoa, they shipped me all new wheels plus paid for the labor costs of dismounting and mounting the new wheels.  Absolutely great to work with.

LynnD
01 GV 320

Re: Deep Alum Polish

Reply #44 –

Good thread. I use Auto-Sol (contains no wax) and White Diamond (contains wax) for polishing raw aluminium.
For coated aluminium I would not recommend any polish, only wax with cleaners.
If the polishing cloth does not turn black, then you have a coating so be careful using polishes as this may remove some and/or all of the coating. If you don't have a coating then you're gonna bulk up like Conan the Barbarian... have fun, hehehehe.
One trick I have is use the cheapest, most coarse paper towels and when they get too black, pitch 'em.

Both polishes available at Amazon and some bike/hot rod shops.

Amazon.com: Kuryakyn White Diamond Polish 12 Oz. Bottle: Automotive

Amazon.com: Autosol Brass Aluminum Metal Polish 3.33oz.(75 ml) Tube: Automotive

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Mark and Judy Blain
2010 Nimbus 45, ISM500
Build No. 6528
Motorcade No. 17243
Burton, Texas

Re: Deep Alum Polish

Reply #45 –

For those of us that still have the raw aluminum mirrors and Alcoa aluminum wheels not Alcoa Durabrights I'm giving this product a thumbs up...
 White Diamond metal polish. Seems easier to use than other metal polishes I've used in the past during my trucking years. Living a stone's throw away from saltwater the shine  lasts longer than other products.
Works great on removing yellowing on head light lenses also.

 Amazon.com: Schultz Laboratories Metal Polish with Long Lasting Sealant, 12...

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
Doug W.
96 36' U270 CSGI #4946
04 Toyota Tacoma 4x4
PNW

Re: Deep Alum Polish

Reply #46 –
Quote from: Doug W. –
For those of us that still have the raw aluminum mirrors and Alcoa aluminum wheels not Alcoa Durabrights I'm giving this product a thumbs up...
 White Diamond metal polish. Seems easier to use than other metal polishes I've used in the past during my trucking years. Living a stone's throw away from saltwater the shine  lasts longer than other products.
Works great on removing yellowing on head light lenses also.

Have you tried it on the awning covers?  I'm looking for a good polish to clean those up a bit.
Joe Phebus and Jaime Trujillo
2002 U270 3410  Build: 5953 Motorcader # 18595
2100 W Solar, 600 AH Battleborn Batteries,  Victron Multi-Plus II 3000 Inverter, Cerbo GX, & MPPT Chargers
1992 Geo Tracker

Re: Deep Alum Polish

Reply #47 –
I'm doing my wheels right now and I will give the product a try.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Deep Alum Polish

Reply #48 –
Quote from: Joe Phebus –
Have you tried it on the awning covers?  I'm looking for a good polish to clean those up a bit.

Works great on the awning cover, better than McGuire's cleaner wax. You don't get the black film like you do on the wheels and mirrors, removes the oxidation okay and seems to do a good job cleaning them up.
Doug W.
96 36' U270 CSGI #4946
04 Toyota Tacoma 4x4
PNW
 

Re: Deep Alum Polish

Reply #49 –
Quote from: Doug W. –
For those of us that still have the raw aluminum mirrors and Alcoa aluminum wheels not Alcoa Durabrights I'm giving this product a thumbs up...
 White Diamond metal polish. Seems easier to use than other metal polishes I've used in the past during my trucking years. Living a stone's throw away from saltwater the shine  lasts longer than other products.
Works great on removing yellowing on head light lenses also.

 Amazon.com: Schultz Laboratories Metal Polish with Long Lasting Sealant, 12...


I'm going to have to try that stuff. 

And Doug. That was an epic 9 year old thread resurrection. Well done!🏆
As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
Jerry & Nona and Kimeru the cat that thinks she's a dog
1998 36' WTFE U320  #5314 Motorcade #17711
USAF 1975-1995
2019 Subaru Crosstrek 'toad'
2003 Subaru Legacy touring car
jerry Fincher | Flickr