Aluminum Grill Shell Restoration

[EasTXJEEPER]

How to?
Like it to look like NEW.
Best way to remove scratched and sand pitted Anodizing before Polishing?
1983 Cherokee Laredo

[ProTouring442]

Eastwood makes an anodizing remover. You can also use a ZEP product (acidic toilet bowl cleaner, I think). In either case, be careful as the product will also dissolve the aluminum if it is left on for too long.

After you remove the anodizing, you can polish then clear or re-anodize.

[Probesport]

Easy-off oven cleaner, in the yellow bottle that contains Lye is a great way to remove anodizing. I do it all the time on AN fittings to hide them a bit more.

Spray it on, let it sit for awhile but don't let it dry, and then just rinse off.





Here is a tech I did on that awhile back https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...-showy.367777/

[EasTXJEEPER]

Isn't colored anodizing different than clear?
I just finished sanding down a 83 Cherokee front bumper starting with 220 grit and lastly with wet 1000. Buffed it now to a absolute mirror finish. Now what options do I have to Preserve the shine beside polishing weekly by hand? Anybody tried 2 part paint system clear topcoat?

[440sixpack]

Yes colored anodizing is different than the bright coating on your grille. much different.

With the removers there is a fine line between removing the bright finish and destroying your grille. I'd practice on something you don't care about first.

I sent my razor grille and buckets off and had them restored and replated. it wasn't cheap but they're better than new.

[SOLSAKS]

probesport is correct
EASYOFF is the way to go
cheap and effective
on removing all anodizing
because i have done a few wagoneer grille surrounds and wagoneer alum bumpers, i sprayed on, waited 15 to 20 min
used a steel wool soap pad and water to wash it off and then
went from course to 2,000 grit
then polished with mothers billet alum polish
shines great, i just put a coat of light polish on it to preserve shine.
in my opinion you run a great risk of clears giving trouble down the road.
i think that if you even "half way" keep your vehicle looked after it will not need anything other than routine cleaning an maintenance to keep it shining.

dave in NC