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Lisa asked: How do I remove water marks from the aluminum on the exterior of an RV? How do I protect/prevent it not only from water marks, but also from oxidizing so quickly? The exterior of my RV has non-polished aluminum siding. I’ve tried commercial cleaners, an orbital buffer and a lot of hand rubbing to try to remove water marks and haze caused from exposure to weather. The RV is a 2001.
Hydrofluoric acid is frequently used to clean aluminum, but it’s a hazardous material that can be dangerous to work with. Instead of taking chances with chemicals, why not give this solution a try? It safely removes a number of marks and stains from both painted and unpainted aluminum, and in most cases leaves aluminum looking brand new.
You Will Need:
- Streak Master (or comparable) cleaner
- Aluminum polish
- Bucket
- Water
- Sponge, rag, or other cleaning tool
Steps to Remove the Stains:
- Choose the cleaning formula that best suits your project. Bare Aluminum Cleaner & Brightener works for bare metal, while Extreme Black Streak and Stain Remover is ideal for painted aluminum where stains have settled deep into the paint.
- Heed all product safety precautions before you begin. Refer to your product for use and advice.
- Dilute the aluminum cleaner according to directions. Generally speaking, the dilution ratio for polished aluminum is 1 part cleaner to 24 parts water. To clean older mill finished aluminum or extruded aluminum, dilute to 1 part cleaner to 15 parts water for light oxidation or 1 part cleaner to 5 parts water for extreme oxidation and cleaning.
- Follow label directions for use and clean up.
- Finish with aluminum polish to protect against future stains.
I buffed a 1970 Airstream for 50 hours and it only ended in streaks, yuck. Now I need a beer and some help.
Nick