Gords Aluminum Polish - test 1

[SpaceEgg]

(photos in next post - still learning the ropes)

I gave Gord's Aluminum Polish a test run on some interior aluminum before embarking on the exterior.

This stuff is so easy to work with. It's main purpose in life seems to be to consume aluminum oxide. It turns it black and oily (like my hand in the photo) and then it just wipes off. The scratches were already on the railings when I found them.

I used a #0000 steel wool pad to scrub the thin, oily, stearic-acid based polish onto the aluminum. It didn't take much. I used a red shop rag for removal. I will substitute an adjustable low-rpm buffer for the steel wool when I do the exterior.

All six rails took me just over an hour and a half - photo documentation and coffee break included. Better living through chemistry.

[SpaceEgg]

Photos (correctly attached). Top two are Brasso, bottom ones are Gords.

These are the railing tracks that hold the sliding doors for the overhead compartments to a Tradewind. Mine are very old. The top two are what Brasso was able to accomplish.

Then I used Gord's Aluminum Polish to see what it could do. Bottom photos are after the first "cut" (about 5 min). There's actually no grit to the polish, it's thinner than olive oil.

[SpaceEgg]

My proficiency improved by the third rail (right to left). Ignore the dirty hand and check out the difference in reflection between the pre- and post-Gords' Polish.

The rail on the right shows the type of residual gunk that was removed from the rail on the left (bottom image).

It helps to have GoJo or FastOrange around to clean your hands!

[Roadrunner]

Looks good. Never heard of Gords. Where do you get it? Let us know how it works on the exterior. It would be interesting to see the results when you hit it with a buffer.

Bob
TAC PA-5

[Frank's Trailer Works]

I think you would find that diamond brite would give you the same result. There is a big difference between chemical removing of oxide and polishing. Steel wool and aluminum are also a very bad combination. Instead of steel wool try wet dry aluminum oxide sand paper. Just a suggestion.

[mello mike]

Very interesting. Thanks for sharing.

[NashBuff]

Thanks keep us updated!

[purman]

I would agree with the steel wool except that #0000 is pretty dam fine and wouldn't scratch the aluminum. My farther, and Antique restorer used it to strip and finish 500+ year old furniture.

This stuff my be the ticket. I about to start striping mine in about 3 weeks. I'm not looking to get all the scratches out I just want it to shine and not have half the clear coat on and half off. And I don't want to have to do the whole trailer 3 times.

Keep us updated.

[bwaysteve]

Idid see the promo video on Gord's site and it looks good.I think I would look at a body shop supply for an aluminum wool instead of the steel.Since I am trying all of these methods on my first polish job Gord's will be next.Using the bar method is still time consuming,but tried a pre wipe with Gojo and that worked pretty well.
Have you used Gord's on an area with filiform?I would like to see how it works on such an area as this seems to be the most challenging area for me to deal with on the skin.

[2airishuman]

folks love mystery products that do magic.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f441...ish-35801.html

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f441...-up-23222.html

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f161...ams-14779.html

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f441...xas-66682.html

even the VENDOR posted once about his secret sauce...

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f206...you-11776.html

the old s'shine threads were also a fun place to waste money/time and debates...

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f441...ish-16051.html

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f441...rked-6541.html

CLEANING isn't POLISHING

regardless of the name on the label.

at LEAST they've got the msds on line...

http://www.gordsaluminumpolish.com/s...lMSDSGP100.pdf

this stuff is basically mineral spirits (stoddards solvent) with a dash of acid and alum/chrome oxide.

so at the very least WEAR GLOVES, geez whiz.
__________

the problem with steel wool isn't 'abrasiveness' but rather the STEEL part.

microfine impregnation of steel/iron into aluminum is not a good thing.

especially so on the exterior but anywhere water exposure is possible.
__________

one could use lighter fluid, mixed with flour and achieve the same results with LESS harm.

in fact WATER alone (with a dash of bar keepers friend) or

mineral spirits and the steel wool may DO exactly the same thing...

or ANY of the petroleum solvent/acid/oxide combinations available....

cleaning an aluminum tank by hand is SO not like polishing and compounding yards and yards of aluminum.

also keep in mind the SOLVENT and it's effect on the sealants, gaskets and rivet heads that HOLD the old streams 2gether ...

there are 100s of threads here from folks wasting money and time trying 'stuff' to polish...

and MOST of them eventually drift to the proven, tested, predictable products and a cyclo or da gizmo...

for the old alclad streams...

cheers
2air'

[scf31]

Ask an ole Aircraft Guy ,,, steel wool and aluminum is a no no,,,,

[barts]

Scotch-Brite pads are available in a wide variety of grades, and leave no metallic residues behind. Alternatively, stainless steel wool is also available, but is definitely more costly.

- Bart

[lpatkins]

Tried this stuff on my trailer this spring, worked well, as long as you not trying to buff out the scratches. Do small areas and keep it out of the direct sunlight, seems to provide a good finish afterwards. Its been raining for the last 3 months up here and the water is still beading off. I will post some pictures later. I think its a good alternative for those of us that don't have alot time. Good luck.
Larry Atkins
Chauvin AB

[SpaceEgg]

Originally Posted by 2airishuman

folks love mystery products that do magic.

one could use lighter fluid, mixed with flour and achieve the same results with LESS harm.

cheers
2air'

Incorrect. What you just described is a crummy version of homemade napalm.

Viewpoints like this are what led me to believe this product didn't get a fair turn on these forums. I found all the referenced threads above, I spoke directly with the vendor, I thoroughly read his patent online, and decided to give it a shot. Simply sharing my experience with a new product.

For the speed, cost, and effectiveness, I think this product may be a superior overall package. What appeals to me is the staying power of the sealant, as referenced by lpatkins (photos?) and evidenced by the areas on my Tradewind that I've done by hand. I think it may far outlast the results from Nuvite/cyclo. Don't need another "labor of Sisyphus" in my life.

Gord's does have it's drawbacks. For instance, when applied, the product turns black before it rubs off, and if there are scratches, the black rubs into the scratches, probably until it's buffed out the old-fashioned way (photo below).

Important to remember these photos are taken with a 10.0 megapixel Macro lens from one inch away. My eyes can't even focus on something that close.

Gord's Aluminum & Chrome, Cleaner, Polish, & Sealer

I'm hoping to make time in July to take the buffer to the exterior with this product, and I'll post the results. Keep that parachute open.

Adios Earthlings.

[mello mike]

Thanks, SpaceEgg, for the report. I might give this stuff a try on a few stained, heavily oxidized areas on my Sovereign. I've been researching Gord's, too, and while it doesn't give you a true mirror shine, like traditional methods, it does give a clean, even shine for those who don't want to spend numerous hours working on their 'stream. I will be getting some aluminum pads for this work vice what is called for.

[2airishuman]

Originally Posted by SpaceEgg

Incorrect. What you just described is a crummy version of homemade napalm.

Viewpoints like this are what led me to believe this product didn't get a fair turn on these forums. I found all the referenced threads above, I spoke directly with the vendor, I thoroughly read his patent online, and decided to give it a shot. Simply sharing my experience with a new product...

share away.

but it's not a new product, except 4U.
_________

and apparently u r unaware that 'stoddards solvent is an aliphatic petrol distillate...

and so is charcoal ligher fluid.
_________

flour or corn starch have been LONG used as part of the diy aluminum polishing techniques.

google it and wear shades while reading...

there's even a PROFESSIONAL crew on THIS planet that shinestreams this way.

(another old thread with pix)

i DID leave of the stearic acid info...

the stearate is simply rendered animal fats...

((also in cocoa butter but more $$ and in texas it's gonna be STEER fat)
__________

so my comparison was incomplete...

lighter fluid, flour plus SPAM is a better version...

as a matter of fact has LONG been used to shine cars and other spacecraft...

a chunk of hog jowl or slab of lard depending on desired aroma.
________

so please continue the journey of discover...

chees
2air'

[SpaceEgg]

Interesting info, airing human.

I wonder if spacecraft slathered in spam will attract or repel creatures while boondocking...

[AIR-Quarius]

...might also attract Chupacabras!!!! I have been using 3m super duty rubbing cream compound (gravel in a bottle and it has a kerosene base that keeps it wet longer and clean up black with plain kerosene. Then finish out with mothers mag seems to do well on alclad. But now I am going to try 'Gel Gloss' this other patron says works well...anyone tried it? What I have mentioned above is very very affordable too around 14 dollars a cream quart for 3m

[Silverwanabe]

IMHO,
Polishing an Airstream is a nasty dirty time consuming process.
Been there done that.

[denellen]

Hey SpaceEgg:
Taking it up a notch! Loved the " labor of Sysiphus" reference.