Many industrial buildings are made of aluminum, and whether outdoors or indoors, they can get dirty if not cleaned regularly. Aluminum is a material that can oxidize over time, giving your facilities a faded, worn-down look.
In this article, our industrial cleaning experts propose various tried and tested solutions for cleaning oxidized aluminum and bringing back its shine.
Solutions to restore oxidized aluminum
Although the easiest and most effective way to clean aluminum is to hire industrial warehouse cleaning specialists, you can apply certain products to an aluminum surface yourself to restore its shine.
1. Bicarbonate of soda
The first product you should try on your aluminum surfaces is bicarbonate of soda. This “miracle” product works well as an oxidized aluminum cleaner.
To apply it, simply place two tablespoons of bicarbonate and one tablespoon of water into a container. Mix these products together to form a paste and then use a sponge to scrub the oxidized aluminum clean with the paste. For the best results, we recommend requesting a professional soda blasting cleaning service.
2. Household alcohol
A particularly simple solution for cleaning aluminum is to apply methylated spirits. For this to work efficiently, place a few drops of rubbing alcohol on a damp cloth and apply to the oxidized aluminum.
This method is usually sufficient if the surface is not too heavily oxidized. If you can’t get all the grime off, we advise you to contact industrial cleaning professionals. They will be able to help you!
3. Meudon whiting
Meudon whiting is a natural product made from chalk extracted from the Meudon quarries. It is a slightly abrasive cleaner but does not scratch the material it is used on.
To clean oxidized aluminum, dilute Meudon whiting powder with water in a large container and mix until you have a fairly liquid paste. Dip a cloth in it and rub the aluminum, making sure to thoroughly clean it. Afterwards, let the surface dry until the mixture is absorbed.
4. White vinegar and salt
White vinegar and coarse salt are everyday products that can be used to clean your oxidized aluminum. To properly prepare this mixture, heat white vinegar in a saucepan and once hot, pour in coarse salt. As with the previous methods, mix together until you have a paste that is liquid enough to soak into the aluminum.
Once your paste has been created, lather it over any stains on your aluminum installations. Wait for it to absorb and then finish by rinsing the surface with clean water. This method is quite time consuming to carry out properly. If you want to clean your aluminum quickly and effortlessly, we recommend paying for a dry ice blasting service.
How to make aluminum shine
You’ve just cleaned your aluminum, but you’re not sure how to make it shiny again? Here are two tips for bringing the shine back to your aluminum fixtures and surfaces.
1. Olive oil
Olive oil is a natural, nutritious ingredient that can be used to restore the shine to your aluminum surface.
Put a little olive oil on a soft cloth and gently rub your aluminum fixtures. Make sure the oil is evenly distributed on each surface before allowing it to dry completely so that no scratches form! Once you’ve wiped off the excess, polish your aluminum until it shines brightly!
2. Ammonia
Ammonia is a great solution for restoring the shine to your aluminum! Just be sure not to use pure ammonia and wear gloves and goggles for protection. For added safety, contact professionals.
Mix a few drops of ammonia and dishwashing liquid in a container. Scrub the oxidized surfaces with a sponge, and then rinse with clean water before drying with a cloth. Drying is important so as not to leave any marks on the aluminum.
What are the benefits of aluminum etching?
Cleaning and etching aluminum offers more benefits than just an aesthetic improvement.
Here are some reasons why you should revive your oxidized aluminum:
- Improves the overall look of the surface
- Prepares the surface for further treatment (industrial painting, etc.)
- Eliminates traces of coloured oxides
Contact Solutions Trexo to revive your oxidized aluminum
Trexo’s wide range of industrial cleaning solutions allows our company to achieve a high level of efficiency and performance, while offering services that are compatible with all types of surfaces and materials.
Our experience in the industry allows us to offer you top-of-the-line aluminum cleaning. If you would like to know more about the solutions we use to treat surfaces, please call us or fill out the online form available on our contact page.
