Cleaning anodised alloy mast?

   Can anyone suggest a cleaning agent to remove the general muck and tarnish accumulated over the years, on an anodised alloy mast?
I had thought about 'Duraglit' (if you can still get it) or 'Autosol', or thinking a little laterally would something like Alloy wheel cleaner work? I appreciate that some 'cleaners' work on a chemical basis and need to be fully rinsed off, and others have an abrasive property.
I even thought of Coca-Cola but don't seem to have a 9m long trough and 50 gallons of the stuff to soak it in overnight!

Any advice before I waste money on an unsuitable product would be grateful.

Andy.

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Andymac Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 04 Apr 07 Location: Derbyshire Online Status: Offline Posts: 852	Post Options Post Reply Quote Andymac Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Cleaning anodised alloy mast? Posted: 08 May 12 at 7:52am
	Can anyone suggest a cleaning agent to remove the general muck and tarnish accumulated over the years, on an anodised alloy mast? I had thought about 'Duraglit' (if you can still get it) or 'Autosol', or thinking a little laterally would something like Alloy wheel cleaner work? I appreciate that some 'cleaners' work on a chemical basis and need to be fully rinsed off, and others have an abrasive property. I even thought of Coca-Cola but don't seem to have a 9m long trough and 50 gallons of the stuff to soak it in overnight! Any advice before I waste money on an unsuitable product would be grateful. Andy.

brys Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Groupie Joined: 16 Mar 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 89	Post Options Post Reply Quote brys Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 08 May 12 at 9:56am
	Scotchbrite and loads of clean water and that special chemical "elbow grease". As the anodic coating on the aluminium is in effect a form of "decorative corrosion" your light abrading it with material such as scotch bright will expose fresh material to become oxidised as you do the abrading. If you go mad and remove too much anodic coating dont worry just a light waxing with something like Pledge polish will stop it going all grey powdery for a season, just repeat the treatment gently each year. Of course if you want super high gloss polish finish then you will have to revert to metal polishes and electro mechanical buffing to achieve that American Airlines Mirror finish alloy look.
	Never enough time for sailing

Ian29937 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 25 May 05 Online Status: Offline Posts: 409	Post Options Post Reply Quote Ian29937 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 08 May 12 at 10:40am
	I always limited myself to a green scourer and some soapy water to remove extraneous dirt