Aluminum loves the air - so much that it develops a hard whitish surface when exposed to oxygen! Luckily, these oxidation layers along with any caked-on scum can be removed using aluminum cleaners.
These cleaners are made with products that react with the oxidized aluminum and remove all the dirt and oxidation away. Cleaning oxidized aluminum utensils is easy compared to aluminum containers, pontoons, trucks, and tankers. For cleaning them, people use strong acids such as hydrofluoric acid, but that’s not at all safe as you can end up losing your skin or eyesight.
The safest way to clean aluminum and metal surfaces is by using high-quality, eco-friendly and safe aluminum cleaners. Currently, there are plenty of cleaners available in the market, but choosing one among them isn’t an easy task.
So to help you, we’ve come up with a list of the 5 best aluminum cleaners available out there. We will review all of them in terms of their prominent features and pricing so that by the end of this article, you can make an informed buying decision.
How We Choose
Choosing the right cleaner is a real task. Not everyone knows about aluminum cleaners and so it’s fairly important to get a better understanding of how to choose one.
For the sake of this article, we’ve done thorough research. We have identified the best brands in the market that make high-quality cleaners and read reviews about all of them.
This way, we have come up with a list of the top 5 aluminum cleaners. All of the shortlisted products fulfill some of the basic requirements of a high-quality cleaner.
First, we’ve chosen safe and eco-friendly cleaners. These 5 aluminum cleaners don’t emit harsh chemicals and are safe for the environment as well as the person using them. In case you are buying an aluminum cleaner for a pontoon, these products are completely safe for marine life as well.
Then we checked all of these products on the criterion of ease of application. All of the cleaners present on the list are very easy to apply with the help of the spray applicator that is included with the item.
Last, we have picked up only those products that aren’t very expensive. The price range is not on the higher side, you still have a wide range of prices. So, you can choose any of the cleaners from the list that comes under your budget.
Why We Love It?
This STAR BRITE aluminum cleaner is one of the highest-quality cleaners currently available in the market. It is an ideal solution for cleaning unpainted aluminum.
The product comes in a liquid form and you can easily apply it on most aluminum surfaces using the spray that comes with the package. Using it, you can remove lime deposits, grime, waterline stains, and oxidation from aluminum surfaces without having to fear damaging the surface.
The best thing about the START BRITE Instant Hull Cleaner is that it’s 100% eco-friendly and biodegradable. So, cleaning aluminum surfaces has become very safe.
It cleans aluminum products by doing a chemical reaction with the aluminum surfaces. You can use it for cleaning boats, industrial tankers, trucks, and RVs. The product comes in a volume of 1800 millimeters, which is quite a substantial amount.
What You Should Know?
Although this cleaner is safe to use, you should still protect yourself while using it. For this purpose, you would require acid-resistant gloves and eye protection.
The cleaning process is very easy. All you need to do is generously apply the cleaner on the aluminum surface with the spray and then spread the cleaner uniformly with the help of a scrubber pad. Now, wait for 20 minutes before you wash it off.
For better results, follow aluminum polish and protectant after cleaning the aluminum surface. They help with preserving the finish of the aluminum product with PTEF polymers and protecting it against UV light, dirt, and stains.
Why We Love It?
This Toon-Brite B1000 Aluminum Cleaner has specifically been designed for removing all types of scum, oxidations layers, marine deposits, and waterline stains from aluminum boat surfaces.
The best part about this cleaner is that it has biodegradable surfactants and it’s completely safe for the marine environment. So, when the pontoon goes into the water, it doesn’t harm aquatic life.
Also, you can use this cleaner without having to fear damage on other surfaces such as decals or trailers. It goes well with all types of paints and vinyl as well, so you can be at ease while using this cleaner.
Another good thing about the pontoon cleaner is that the products used in it are fast-acting. Hence, they remove even hard stains present on the aluminum surface.
What You Should Know
This cleaner is super-easy to use. Unlike other cleaners, this one doesn’t need to be used with a scrub. Just apply the cleaner on the aluminum surface with the help of the 3-finger spray applicator and then wipe it off after 5 minutes.
However, for restoring the shine of the aluminum surface, you would need to use a good-quality aluminum polish.
The good news is that this cleaner comes in a 1-gallon volume, which can be diluted to achieve a 2-gallon product. You can do so by adding water to the product and then using it. This way, the cleaner becomes suitable for lighter cleaning purposes.
Why We Love It?
This Quality Chemical cleaner and stain remover comes in a liquid form and is very easy to apply.
It’s a perfect solution for all aluminum surfaces including buses, trucks, utensils, pontoons,aluminum trailers, machinery, and fixtures. You just need to dilute the product according to the type of surface you are using the product on.
For instance, for machinery and vehicles, dilute 1 part of the product with 15 parts of water and for utensils and fixtures, mix 1 part of the product in 8 parts of water. For all the surfaces, simply apply the cleaner and then rinse it off well.
It is a highly concentrated acid cleaner with extra wetting agents that fight the hardest stains including road film. It works well for all types of carbon, oils, grease, and diesel smoke.
What You Should Know?
You should also avoid exposing any glass or painted surfaces, coated wheels, and anodized aluminum to this stain remover as it will cause etching.
The good news is that this cleaner is environment-friendly and safe to use. Unlike harsh acids, this cleaner doesn’t irritate your skin.
Also, don’t mix this cleaner with any other chemicals as it may become ineffective. For a polished aluminum look, always use aluminum polish after using this cleaner. The polish helps with restoring the luster of the aluminum and giving it a neat finish.
Why We Love It?
This BOSH Chemical is a liquid cleaner used for cleaning aluminum surfaces. It is the best product for cleaning dirty, stained, and oxidized aluminum. Not only this but it also can be use for removing road salt corrosion.
This Aluma Bright cleaner is unscented and comes in a liquid/ spray form. It is in a highly concentrated form and effortlessly removes carbon, dirt, oil, and aluminum stain removal.
You can dilute the 1-gallon product up to 2 gallons for using it for different levels of cleaning. For this, you should always dilute the product with water in a separate container, mix them well, and then apply that diluted product on the aluminum surface.
What we like the most about this chemical cleaner is that it is climate pledge friendly. So, you can use this cleaner without thinking about any negative environmental effects.
What You Should Know?
This cleaner is a quick and safe method for many cleaning jobs. Simply spray the product on the aluminum surface with a pump sprayer, let it sit, and then rinse with pressurized water, no need for preparing aluminum surfaces.
Always make sure to use rubber gloves and goggles while you get your hands on this cleaner. This way, your hands, and eyes will remain protected and safe.
It’s highly recommended for industrial and commercial use. This cleaner removes the oxidation layers from your aluminum products without causing discoloration, which is the biggest concern for most people.
The Best for Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Brass, Copper, & Porcelain
Brillo Cameo Cleaner
Why We Love It?
Apart from aluminum surfaces, this powder cleaner works for brass, porcelain, copper, and stainless steel as well. It’s a non-abrasive and anti-tarnish aluminum cleaner brightener that effortlessly restores oxidized aluminum.
You can use it to clean different products of your household present in your kitchen, bathroom, and outdoors. It perfectly cleans your oven doors, stainless steel sinks, chrome surfaces, tableware, refrigerators, porcelain tubs and sinks, windows, doorknobs, and aluminum patio furniture.
Brillo Cameo cleaner gives a residue-free finish to all of your products and protects them against fingerprints. Another good thing about this cleaner is that it comes with heavy-duty scour pads, which help in removing burnt-on messes from iron pans and stove burners. They can also be used for cleaning hard water stains in the bathroom and soap scum in the shower.
What You Should Know?
Brillo cleaner has a brass scent. It magically removes all types of stains including crayon marking on the wall, stains on the sneakers, and whatnot. So, you don’t need to buy different products for cleaning different household items.
The good news is that this cleaner removes tarnishes within seconds and gives a long-lasting shine to your products. Using this cleaner, you can clean all types of surfaces without having the do hard scrubbing.
It effortlessly removes rust from different ceramic and porcelain surfaces. So you don’t need to use sandpaper separately for removing rust.
FAQs:
Below are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions (FAQs):
How do you make aluminum look new again?
For making small aluminum projects anew, you can use regular soap or detergent solution. Whereas for larger projects such as pontoons, trucks, and containers, you need to use commercial cleaners specifically made for these surfaces.
Do aluminum cleaners put a shine back on old stained aluminum?
No, aluminum cleaners don’t restore the shine of aluminum surfaces. They only clean the scum, dirt, and oxidation layers from the surface. For a polished aluminum look, you need to use an aluminum polish.
Will Aluminum Cleaner remove moss and algae?
No, aluminum cleaners don’t remove moss and algae. For removing that, you should use a pressure washer or garden hose.
Conclusion - Final Thoughts!
Aluminum is known for its susceptibility to oxidation, so keeping it clean with an aluminum stain remover is absolutely essential. With the vast array of products on the market, it's important to do your research before you buy - considering customer reviews will ensure that you get a quality product and make sure your money doesn't go down the drain.
From giving your patio furniture a makeover to restoring shine and luster of aluminum surfaces, this article is here to help you find the best cleaner for all types of materials. We’ve highlighted top 5 picks with detailed reviews – now it's up to you decide which one works better according to budget and product needs. Get informed about performance, ingredients or special features before making any decision!
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