T&T: Acid and Aluminum

[alweld@comcast.net]

>What is the acid that is used to brighten anodized aluminum?
>Kindest regards,
>Leonard Brunotte

Generally phosphoric acid is used to remove the oxide from AL.  However it's also going to remove the anodizing (oxidizing process). So don't use acid unless you want bare AL. If you do want to go bare, Zep-A-Lume-E from Zep Products is very good or 3M Alumaprep 303. The Zep product is used primarily by the trucking industry to brighten trailers. If you just want to polish AL use a non-abrasive cleaner like Simi-Chrome. 

John
Suquamish, WA