How to clean aluminium side steps

[The Kid]

Hi Guys,

Can anyone give me advise with what to clean my side steps?
It is faded and dull looking. I tried various home products but nothing really works.

Any advice will be appreciated.

[optirite]

Prepsol?

[antlo69]

Get yourselve a polishing/buffing wheel for. Handheld drill (R50 at builders wharehouse) and some cutting paste, its works like a charm and the shine last longer as well.

For better results, remove the steps from the bakkie and also first go over everything with fine steel wool before using the paste and polishing wheel.

[Thabogrobler]

Alu cleaner from http://www.a-zchem.co.za" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Klong se Pa]

I use a product called Autosol which I buy from Autozone on my truck's (18 wheeler) polished aluminium rims. You use it just like any ordinary polish, apply with one cloth, polish off with another. Cost about R60/tube, not too much, and really makes them rims shine! I think it's worth a try, I did use it in my wife's Isuzu sidesteps once, and it worked like a charm.

[antlo69]

Autosol nd Alu cleaners work well, but ith the oxidation process the shine fades eventually and you need to frequently redo the process.

For 3 years I had to do this until I started to polish it with a buff wheel and a fine compound, i then found that the shine would last much much longer and it cleans easier than previously. But alu will always be a high maintenance item when rain, mud dirty shoes etc etc are involved.

I must say I don't miss those days since I changed to the s/steel pipes, whipe and dry, that's all.