What works best for removing water spots on billet aluminum

[Chexi]

Okay great PN brain, what works best for removing water spots on billet aluminum. My extra wake racks look horrible after 1 season. I should have waxed them or something to protect them, but of course I didn't. Now I would like to clean them up, but the water spots won't come off. I have tried Mother's aluminum / metal polish, which worked great to increase the shine, but did not remove the water spots. I have also tried Ducky water spot remover, which did nothing. I thought I would check the great brain that is the collective of my fellow PN members before embarking on a possibly futile and expensive campaign of trial and error.

[AirTool]

Vinegar is what I've been using to clean hard water spots. I don't if it is safe on all coatings.

I with with white vinegar on a sponge or rag and then rinsewith water. If your water is hard, do it at the car wash with the spot free rinse.

[Chexi]

Thanks AirTool. I tried white vinegar last night after your post, but unfortunately it did not take out the spots. I might be SOL.

[ClemsonDave]

try a mixture of water, vinegar and Lime Away.

[Airfooter]

I use Magic Mix metal polish on my hydrofoil T-bar (7000 series billet) to remove the oxidation and water spots. The only place that I've been able to find it is at a truck stop - It is available online as well. It's the best HAND polish that I have found.

http://www.topoftheline.com/magmixalpol.html

Adam

[CradGen2]

I use this Eagle "NoDull" product. That and a little elbow grease worked great.

[AirTool]

Thanks AirTool. I tried white vinegar last night after your post, but unfortunately it did not take out the spots. I might be SOL.

Do you know what the spots are? Try the other biz ... it might take pickling vinegar which is 18% (?) as oposed to 5%. 18 seems a bit stout to me though. See what the other products do for you. Maybe it is not calcium.

Note water just further dilutes the vinegar.

I hope this message makes sense...in a major hurry.

[Hollywood]

you could always just sand them down and then polish again

[AirTool]

Another vinegar trivia note. (well not trivial at all). Mineral salubility increases with temperature. I usually leave my bottle on the hood of the truck or out in the sun before I wipe down the glass. You certainly don't want to use a jug from a 40 °F garage.

Of course, here in Hot, Texas during the summer. The cabin of my truck gets up to 160 on the top deck of the parking garage.

[IDSkier]

Another vote for Eagle 1 Never Dull if they are not clear coated. On coated surfaces, Lime Away, or CLR.

[Nautiquehunter]

I use 30% white vinegar and water to wipe the whole boat down including billet after every use. If you dont let it get bad it cleans easy.

[rugdr]

I agree, with the billet you have to stay on top if it. One thing I have been using since day one is Collinite Metal Polish. This stuff, for me, has been the best I have ever used. The only down side is that it takes right much elbow grease but....I haven't had to polish my racks any since May of last year and they still look the exact same, bright and shiny. They haven't tarnished or gotten dirty or anything. It has really worked great for me, hopefully it will for some of you.

[Chexi]

Thanks all. I will try one (hopefully) or more of your suggestions soon and report back.

I did try CLR, but to my surprise, it did nothing. I guess nothing is better than damaging, but I expected it to do something. In my experience, CLR is pretty powerful stuff.

[AirTool]

I use 30% white vinegar and water to wipe the whole boat down including billet after every use. If you dont let it get bad it cleans easy.

Where do you buy 30% vinegar? Is that pickling vinegar? or something even stronger?

I did try CLR, but to my surprise, it did nothing. I guess nothing is better than damaging, but I expected it to do something. In my experience, CLR is pretty powerful stuff.

If vinegar and CLR are not working, the stains are likely NOT minerals. The stains could be oxidation in which case there is no cure but to polish down past the corrosion. Can you post a pic?

[Chexi]

I'll take some pics tonight and post. Once polished, the spots are generally hard to see unless one is up very close... but I am picky.

I think some of the spots are bug residue from trailering at night, some are water, and perhaps some are also oxidization. Thanks for all of your help.