Need recommendations on sealant/wax for aluminum

barsymes · Post by **barsymes** » Sat Jul 10, 2010 11:33 am

So, I am slowly but surely removing the dark spots from my table and was wondering what people use seal or wax aluminum surfaces to prevent alox build up again or is re-buildup unpreventable.

Thanks,
Erik

Ed in Tampa · Post by **Ed in Tampa** » Sat Jul 10, 2010 11:47 am

I think the general concensus will be Johnson's Paste Wax as recommended by Shopsmith. I have used it for over 26 years to keep my Shopsmith looking new.

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Sat Jul 10, 2010 11:58 am

The real trick to avoiding build up is too buff it out very well. If you put it on and then sorta give it a promise, you will have buildup. I recommend that you put it on frequently and then only sparingly. Let it dry for 10-15 minures and buff it thoroughly. Even with Johnsons Wax, which I use exclusively, will come off on your projects if you do not buff it well. Used in this manner there will be no buildup.

If you get the black marks out, please post some pictures here of the before and after and tell how. I have some made by droppings from the quail that seasonally attempt to roost on my upper storage shelves. I have tried everything short of taking an abrasive to the table tops. The two on my jointer really tick me off.

Wanderir · Post by **Wanderir** » Sat Jul 10, 2010 12:39 pm

I've used SIMICHROME to polish aluminum and it's worked great, the only problem I can for see with using it on your table is it might come out too shiny. Maybe try it on some other piece of aluminum first?

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Sat Jul 10, 2010 1:40 pm

Wanderir wrote:I've used SIMICHROME to polish aluminum and it's worked great, the only problem I can for see with using it on your table is it might come out too shiny. Maybe try it on some other piece of aluminum first?

Remember, we are trying to protect the aluminum surface not make it shine like an Airstream.

barsymes · Post by **barsymes** » Sat Jul 10, 2010 2:57 pm

dusty wrote:The real trick to avoiding build up is too buff it out very well. If you put it on and then sorta give it a promise, you will have buildup. I recommend that you put it on frequently and then only sparingly. Let it dry for 10-15 minures and buff it thoroughly. Even with Johnsons Wax, which I use exclusively, will come off on your projects if you do not buff it well. Used in this manner there will be no buildup.

If you get the black marks out, please post some pictures here of the before and after and tell how. I have some made by droppings from the quail that seasonally attempt to roost on my upper storage shelves. I have tried everything short of taking an abrasive to the table tops. The two on my jointer really tick me off.

What tool/materials do use to buff the aluminum after wax application. Sorry about the rudimentary question, but I'm totally new to this.

beeg · Post by **beeg** » Sat Jul 10, 2010 4:08 pm

When I'm ready to buff out the wax, I use an old towel, by hand.

Ed in Tampa · Post by **Ed in Tampa** » Sat Jul 10, 2010 4:10 pm

barsymes wrote:What tool/materials do use to buff the aluminum after wax application. Sorry about the rudimentary question, but I'm totally new to this.

Old T-shirt works for me, or an old bath towel if I can snick one off my wife. She hoards them to use as dust rags.

charlese · Post by **charlese** » Sat Jul 10, 2010 6:54 pm

barsymes wrote:What tool/materials do use to buff the aluminum after wax application. Sorry about the rudimentary question, but I'm totally new to this.

Those blue paper shop towels work (by hand) super for me. They are soft enough to do the job and can be thrown away.

So I guess the more correct answer is; any soft towel that is used for wiping/adsorbing.

barsymes · Post by **barsymes** » Sat Jul 10, 2010 9:04 pm

dusty wrote:The real trick to avoiding build up is too buff it out very well. If you put it on and then sorta give it a promise, you will have buildup. I recommend that you put it on frequently and then only sparingly. Let it dry for 10-15 minures and buff it thoroughly. Even with Johnsons Wax, which I use exclusively, will come off on your projects if you do not buff it well. Used in this manner there will be no buildup.

If you get the black marks out, please post some pictures here of the before and after and tell how. I have some made by droppings from the quail that seasonally attempt to roost on my upper storage shelves. I have tried everything short of taking an abrasive to the table tops. The two on my jointer really tick me off.

Here are some before and after pics of what I've done so far.

First I used some Citristrip and painted it on with a paint brush and left it on overnight. Then went over it with some fine (#00000) steel wool and Odorless Mineral Spirits. This got a good portion of the dark spots off, but I was still not satisfied. I tried to fine some Fine Brass Wire Wheels for my grinder, but could only fine steel or brass coated steel at the big box stores. I have since ordered some from Amazon. In my Noobie excitement/impatient, I took my orbital sander and 220 grit and went to it. About 30 seconds into this process I got the impression I was removing more Aluminum than Alox and stopped. I may try some naval jelly next while I wait for my wire wheels to come. Unless anyone advises against this.

Before Pic:

After Pic: (The obvious curved lines appeared before my sanding experiment and appear to be old damage that was hidden under the alox)