Tuskyz28

So I bought a toolbox for 30 bucks for my 1997 Chevrolet pickup. Its a diamond plated toolbox. Here is a pic. I got lucky on buting the box as its it great shape .... no rust or dents.

But my problem is that the box is dull looking and ill really like to make her look new again. Anybody have any advice or tips on how i can make the toolbox look new again? Here is a pic by the way.

LLLosingit

iTrader: (4)

Superior Products Aluminum Polish Just follow the directions and don't leave it on to long. It's acid based so be careful when using. If you really want it to shine Mothers aluminum polish but you'll put some effort into it but the results are great.

Tramminc

easy-off oven cleaner will bubble all that crap out of it's pores, spray wait 5 - 10 minutes. that buff with .0000 steel will pad

pdxmotorhead

Use stainless wool not iron wool.... The iron steel wool will leave iron embedded in the aluminum and it will turn brown..

Wheel cleaner works on the Protec boxes pretty well.

Tuskyz28

Wow!! So many different opinions.....

jlcustomz

Acid based cleaners will quickly remove gunk & clean out pores in metal giving a light shiny appearance, but not quite the same type of appearance as a polishing with metal cleaners. AC coil cleaner available from homestores can also work as a spray scrub & rinse type product.

YES , there will be multiple oninions on how to do this. None are ever necessarily completely wrong or completely the best way as hard work will always be the main ingredient here. no one right or wrong way...……..

You could start off with a quick spray, scrub , & rinse with acid base cleaner, then switch to a suitable metal polishing compound, which everyone will have a different opinion of. Up to you if you want to include steel or stainless steel wool for more abrasive polishing action along with a polish. I prefer either white or green colored liquid polishes, not naming any brands.You could skip the acid cleaning & go straight to compounds, dirtying more rags.

Now for the method I'd prefer having the equipment for your situation... A quick acid cleaning removing contaminants followed by a low speed grinder with 6" to 8" professional metal buffing wheels using white stick compound.
Again , methods are your choice. try something yourself & just get to work. Rubber gloves aren't a bad idea either. Can actually polish some finer aluminum surfaces such as billet wheels just with rubber gloves & a good choice of compound.

Tuskyz28

Might head to harbor freight and get me a buffer.