Bare Aluminum

[RVHombre]

Hi everyone, I’m new here with an RV-8. How are those of you out there with bare aluminum RV-8’s keeping them clean/polished. What, if any products are you using. Thankfully it’s hangered.

 

[Ralph Inkster]

Flew my first RV7 for 3 years in bare aluminum. Used glass cleaner (sans ammonia). Not polished looking but pretty close. Later painted, with no adhesion issues at all.

 

[rolivi]

@RVHombre - Have you tried the search feature for "polishing"? (it's the magnifying glass on the top right of the ribbon bar)

There are countless discussions that cover "paint or polish", "products to use for polishing", etc.

It's almost as well covered territory as "Tip up or Slider", "Nose wheel or tail wheel", and *gasp* "Garmin or Dynon"

 

[Ralph Inkster]

Further to my comments in post#2
My painter advised me to NOT polish if the plan was to paint it later. Polish residue is near impossible to clean out around the rivet edges.
It was him that suggested non ammonia glass cleaner.

 

[Snowflake]

Further to my comments in post#2
My painter advised me to NOT polish if the plan was to paint it later. Polish residue is near impossible to clean out around the rivet edges.
It was him that suggested non ammonia glass cleaner.

Did he say why ammonia was bad? I assume he was referring to Windex?

 

[Ralph Inkster]

I assume he felt it might be caustic or left deposits in the rivets.
I just happily followed his instructions
Results were bright but not polished bright.