Dulling Polished Aluminum?

[special-K]

I know there are 1,000 ways to dull polished aluminum. The problem is keeping it polished. But still, I'm asking for ideas for fun's sake as much as maybe finding that perfect method.

I like dulled aluminum accessories, just like I like patina. It doesn't bother me that my slots aren't polished out, neither is my truck. The vibe is "this is how it's always been".

I just bought a used unpolished finned cover for the Dana 60 and am about to order an new polished one for the 44. I'm waiting till the one shows up to see the finish, but I think it's just dull. If it's burnished, I'll glass bead the new one.

I guess any kind of acid will dull. How about vinegar? I had a pair of those wrinkle black M/T valve covers. I used paint stripper to bring them down to raw aluminum. One had been polished and the other wasn't. The stripper dulled it some, but not all that much. I guess once the polish is gone it will slowly get "texture".

Here is the desired finish:

[duallyjams]

follow a salt truck next snow

[franken]

Being cheap I bought nasty aluminum valve covers at the swap meet and used scotchbrite type stuff in a die grinder to clean them and then let nature take over. They aren't polished and there's no coating on them so they'll tarnish over time.

[special-K]

I like how that one looks right there. I like valve covers when they look like that, too. Those are next.

This is another Dana 60 cover, but the same as what I'm getting for the Dana 44. I think I'll be blasting it

[Willie Makeit]

green scotch-brite, a can of comet cleaner, a couple beers and some elbow grease

[special-K]

Originally Posted by duallyjams

follow a salt truck next snow

That's a ride this truck has never taken. No plans to change that

Originally Posted by Willie Makeit

green scotch-brite, a can of comet cleaner, a couple beers and some elbow grease

In what order? I assume the beer is before, during, and after. Thanks for the tip.

[Chknlyps2]

Last week I was getting the anodizing off of some aluminum trim on my 64 using oven cleaner, I was doing short spots at a time and doing a little buffing as I went. I got a little oven cleaner on some already buffed aluminum and it dulled it right out, kind of a strange gray color. Did not take much to buff it back out again so it was just a light etching on the surface. It may not be the look you are after right away but it may make it age faster. Do you have a scrap piece of aluminum you could polish and try it on?

[BR3W CITY]

For me, rubbing compound will dull it out, but you'll get those "micro scratches" which can be seen. If you want a textured look (mimicking cast aluminum or pot metals) then hit it with walnut or soda blasting medium).

[special-K]

Sorry i haven't checked to see both of your suggestions. My slots were about black when I got them and I used over cleaner, and they weren't coated. I started with scotch brite but decided to wet sand with a fine paper using wheel cleaner. The backs look like crap but who cares? I did my best and they are "ok-ish". The diff cover I want to go the other way. Could have tried oven cleaner. That's actually an acid solution, right? So is wheel cleaner. I have had a partial gallon of muriatic acid from cleaning masonry. I poured into a plastic bucket, diluted with water, and put the cover in face down. Kept checking and eventually pulled out after a couple few hours. It's good enough and I'll let Mother Nature do the rest

[WE B CRUZN]

Go to your local auto store and ask for the acid they use at the truck wash places to clean aluminum just make sure not to ask for the brightner it will clean it but not make it dull looking.

[special-K]

Thanks for the tip. I'm happy with the results above from muriatic acid diluted. I already had it from way back when in my cellar. It was in an unmarked plastic jug. I remember a year or two when I discovered it. I thought it was beach from when I had to shock my well. Glad I thought it was bleach when I took a wiff to see what it was. SHEWEE!! No mistaking acid! Coulda really hurt myself bad if I sniffed hard