Awesome video man 👏👏👏 Yeah etching acids definitely thin aluminum over time, whenever I see a truck drive by that’s been acid washed for years it strikes me as a tragedy lol
Love your videos. Have learned a lot on polishing aluminum. I do use a product call Mirror X made by Ezoil . In Upper Peninsula there are no truck washes just one self service big enough to get a truck in. So I use this on my polished aluminum in the winter when I wash . It would be considered a light acid . It will streak polished aluminum if the aluminum is hot like a fuel tank but for me it helps me maintain my aluminium in the winter.
That is a killer good product. I have used it before and it worked well. I have gotten away from it over the years but it worked well. It definitely gets the winter grime off. Alumaclear stuff works well too as a winter maintainer.
Awesome vid man!! Really puts it into perspective👍🏼 Acid is a bad thing.. Im glad you didn't leave it in overnight.. Those poor tools from the off gasing 😬
Interesting. I was guessing that mild acid cleaning would have reduce the polishing time and effort required by removing any surface oxidation and giving you an extremely clean starting point to work from.
I was going to use Superior Aluminum Brightener on an old aluminum boat to clean it UP a bit! It's 35 years old and never been cleaned! I don't think a one time cleaning will ruin the boat! What do you think?
Just found your channel and subbed. I love how detailed you get to give us “the why”… which rarely ever gets covered in videos like this. I have an aluminum horse trailer that has painted surfaces and natural aluminum surfaces. The painted surfaces appear to be etched with streaks coming off the roof. Someone suggested using acid, but after this video I’m leaning away from that. It’s a pretty expensive trailer and I don’t want to ruin it, so I’m inclined to hire a professional… but aside from don’t use acid on my trailer, what should I do to set boundaries?
Manage your expectation from the beginning. Let them know what you are looking for them to achieve and if they can accomplish it. The hardest part is getting those perfect. I hope this helps.
@@EvanStegerMetalPolishing Yeah, hugely helpful. I would imagine neither one of us would want to let the other down. I try not to have unrealistic expectations, but I can be a pain in the arse at times.
Can’t tell you how many truck washes I’ve been kicked out of because they’ve used acid after I said not to. My dad has been kicked out of about all but 3 truck washes from Pa down to Florida. Absolutely despise acid.
Unfortunately in Australia our alloy gets tarnished a lot from roadworks and red dirt from some states as I polish the alloy on a regular basis especially in winter time does my head in as the alloy gets stained and tarnished and the east way to bring it back up is a diluted acid wash which seems the simplest to me as I can’t see the time sanding it back every fortnight possible not enough hrs in the day 🤷🏻♂️
Great video! Interesting to know acid doesn't even cut as much as sanding. What a wasted step acid is. Plus acids crap on your health to deal with constantly. Glad Ive just been using glass cleaner, or degreaser if I'm washing it.
Just ordered the kit off you late last night Sir. Bought the 35.3 Oz can of LUHMI AMGLOS off you sometime ago, Awesome Shit but just about out! Been polishing Metals for years(nothing nowhere near your level/skill) and I agree 100%, this is the metal polish I've ever used too. But have a question Sir, why do you use microfiber applicator to apply the time to shine polish instead of a Terry? Thank You!
@EvanStegerMetalPolishing I see, I just misunderstood. My mistake Sir. You do some freakin nice ass work Sir, that's for sure, wished we were alittle closer, difently come get some training off ya! Thanks for the order and response, may get back into the polishing again soon? Have A Great Week & Thanks Fir The Quick Shipping Sir!
Never use it straight. Never let it just sit on it. Spray rinse cut color hand polish is my gig. I don't like cutting dirty aluminum. But everyone's different
@@EvanStegerMetalPolishing i believe there is a very thin line while using the acid to clean before it begins to etch. one thing i found while cleaning the wheels was if left on for the advertised couple of minutes it would begin to etch the aluminum and turn white. i mix about 1 part acid to 10 parts water and leave the acid on for no longer than 20-30 seconds before power washing off, repeat till the shine comes out.
@@dLikesDDs I'm not disagreeing with you since I am not there to see it, but I have a hard time believing the results with the science I have seen on a microscopic level. It is not very likely that acid gives a polished look. Acid by nature is a drying agent on all things. It may not on the first time but on a microscopic level it is definitely cracking the surface and making it dry out much quicker. But I've been wrong many times in my career. So it is possible.
@@penniesfromheaven2511 not clear coated bud. the acid i used was quite capable of turning them white. its how the acid is used, like stated before, theres a point where the acid begins to etch and turn it white, if thats happening you're being too aggressive with the acid wash.
How would you recommend washing a milk tanker? There’s tons of old dried up milk splattered down the sides, they don’t necessarily need to be reflective since they are in a dirt field
I would call a local wash company and look for a 2 part chemical wash setup. You would use a mild acid first then an alkaline to neutralize it. Scrubbing always helps also.
Citrus acid is still an acid. I noticed in my personal experience citrus isn't immediate damage it is more long term damage over multiple uses. It breaks down the aluminum on the inside and not the outside. Hope this explains it.
What about the back of a wheel that has years of caked on brake dust in alot of irregular surfaces? I'm trying to clean them to a point I can at least seal the pores with a ceramic coating. No idea how to clean them otherwise? I would add a pic but saddly the new manditory updates will no longer all me to add pics
I would use an iron remover. If just cleaning you can use acid but it will dry the wheel out and make it more susceptible to caking up worse next time.
im having a real hard time with steps and diamond plates, please do a vid i believe you did already but if you can throw more tips in there thatd be great 👍
I say cut and color twice a year will keep your metal nice and a hand polish anytime it looks like it needs it will keep you on point all year long. Thanks for watching.
What's your tips to cleaning oxidation off of mill finished aluminum such as trailer sub frames? It's for my own trucks and I polish everything that I can, or I feel is worth my time but I find these areas hard to polish and I don't know how to get them back to a mill finish look. Would an acid wash work okay in this situation or still not worth it?
If you do acid wash it then throw a 180 grit sand over the top of it to give it a clean new finish. Not sure if this is the answer you are looking for but if you are talking about what I think you are talking about then this is what I would do.
@@EvanStegerMetalPolishing sounds good, yeah I'm not looking to polish it to a shine just get the oxidation and discoloration out. Will have to give this a try thanks Evan!
Evan Steger alrighty well can you explain to me why you don’t anymore? I’m starting to get into this for my business and I’m only 16 so I having a lot of guys come in with a ton of aluminum wheels so what company would you recommend and why.
@@EvanStegerMetalPolishing are you sure it's not Hydrofluoric acid? Alibrite here in Aust is 9% Hydrofluoric which is a very nasty substance, you wouldn't be handling it without PPE.
Brother I have been in the business you are in 17 years ago. I have bought this sks, I am operating with wrong rouge. A small green rougher came with this Dremel kit I bought It is not right for steel. Get with me please. I need a white bar or something. Frustrated. Been working on this over a month
Yes it is steel. It is a 1957 chineese sks rifle. It was in terrible shape. I am restoring it. I stripped all the bluing off with vinegar. And Bagan sanding and polishing. I am using a dremel because it is alot of small parts. Would you mind sharing an email so I can send you some pictures and get advice??? Thanks Dayton
Jonathan Morgan the point is that if something is smooth enough to not need to be sanded...it’s not gonna be dirty enough to need acid either then for sure. So if you’re gonna sand which you almost always will then why do you need it to be clean first? Sanding with the first grit will usually completely clean the surface and it will leave the texture way less harsh and damaged. You just have never seen the difference under a microscope or don’t have the eye for it in person like Evan does. I will agree I have used it before when stripping down inside drive wheels that were completely black, mainly just to try it out, and it makes it nice...so it seems. But it’s just an extra step considering you’re going to sand it all out anyways. Acid works great for cleaning up aluminum trailer frames...and for a fleet of company trucks that isn’t going to spend the time polishing tanks and wheels, etc, then acid/aluminum brighter does leave those parts of a truck looking better than it would otherwise. those are about the only real things I would consider acid to be useful for. Like Evan said....It is so harsh it actually damages the pours to the degree of ripping soft buffs. For a guy that is one of the best and probably the most knowledgeable and for sure the most well rounded and non bias source of information in the industry...I think there’s no debate that if you’re gonna polish and are looking to keep a surface in the best condition that you can, which would always be his goal right...?...then acid is bunk lol.
I'm definitely not saying anyone can't use acid. Simply showing why I don't and what I've seen under the microscope. You guys do great work. Shine on. Thanks for watching.
A diluted acid is fine to use it cleans the metal quickly before hand polishing or buffing. I prefer clean aluminum myself. Aluminum is very porous and acid cleans the pores
As long as you sand below it. But I don't see a point in sanding after acid for the reasoning that when I sand I sand further down than acid typically penetrates so its wasted for me. But to each their own. If it is working for you then it isn't wrong. But for me as a business I try to cut any unneccesary spending when possible. If I have to acid and wash it takes time. Time that I could be spending sanding and not having to dry the part. But if time isn't an issue then you are good.
Biggest mistake so far, taking on acid washed wheels and well the truck is just pitted so bad. Should have started at 80 grit.... Bad frontal lobe thinking 😏🤔
Awesome video man 👏👏👏 Yeah etching acids definitely thin aluminum over time, whenever I see a truck drive by that’s been acid washed for years it strikes me as a tragedy lol
That is a fact and most sulfuric acids can reactivate up to 3 months after application.
Love your videos. Have learned a lot on polishing aluminum. I do use a product call Mirror X made by Ezoil . In Upper Peninsula there are no truck washes just one self service big enough to get a truck in. So I use this on my polished aluminum in the winter when I wash . It would be considered a light acid . It will streak polished aluminum if the aluminum is hot like a fuel tank but for me it helps me maintain my aluminium in the winter.
I've been using a product from Alumaclear called TCI 503, works great for keeping polished aluminum shinny in between polishes.
That is a killer good product. I have used it before and it worked well. I have gotten away from it over the years but it worked well. It definitely gets the winter grime off. Alumaclear stuff works well too as a winter maintainer.
10-4 Thanks, that’s exactly what I’m talking about keeping polished; a fuel tanker.👍🏾
Thanks Evan. I have always hear the term “acid wash” but never knew what was really happening
Most people spray it on and wash it off. Thanks for watching and supporting.
Once again another awesome video... thanks for all you do
My pleasure! Thank you for watching and commenting all the time. Means a lot.
Awesome vid man!! Really puts it into perspective👍🏼
Acid is a bad thing..
Im glad you didn't leave it in overnight.. Those poor tools from the off gasing 😬
For sure! Was brutal. Thanks for watching
I used to drop,acid in college, it was a trip. It gets better when it sits for a while.
I used to use acid. I still do, but I used to too.
@@willysnowman Mitch died too young.
Btw, shrooms are waaaaay better!
Thanks for watching
Interesting. I was guessing that mild acid cleaning would have reduce the polishing time and effort required by removing any surface oxidation and giving you an extremely clean starting point to work from.
bro , nice video but since I have to go to a weeding next week, I would like to know how to make a face like yours 🙄
Thanks for watching
I was going to use Superior Aluminum Brightener on an old aluminum boat to clean it UP a bit! It's 35 years old and never been cleaned! I don't think a one time cleaning will ruin the boat! What do you think?
On boats yes no problem.
Just found your channel and subbed. I love how detailed you get to give us “the why”… which rarely ever gets covered in videos like this.
I have an aluminum horse trailer that has painted surfaces and natural aluminum surfaces.
The painted surfaces appear to be etched with streaks coming off the roof. Someone suggested using acid, but after this video I’m leaning away from that.
It’s a pretty expensive trailer and I don’t want to ruin it, so I’m inclined to hire a professional… but aside from don’t use acid on my trailer, what should I do to set boundaries?
Manage your expectation from the beginning. Let them know what you are looking for them to achieve and if they can accomplish it. The hardest part is getting those perfect. I hope this helps.
@@EvanStegerMetalPolishing Yeah, hugely helpful. I would imagine neither one of us would want to let the other down. I try not to have unrealistic expectations, but I can be a pain in the arse at times.
Can’t tell you how many truck washes I’ve been kicked out of because they’ve used acid after I said not to. My dad has been kicked out of about all but 3 truck washes from Pa down to Florida. Absolutely despise acid.
Me too. It makes cleaning a breeze but really messes up nice stuff. Thanks for watching.
Hey Evan, what would you suggest using on a brand new polished fuel tanker, to keep it looking good the longest. Thx, Law Dawg
Unfortunately in Australia our alloy gets tarnished a lot from roadworks and red dirt from some states as I polish the alloy on a regular basis especially in winter time does my head in as the alloy gets stained and tarnished and the east way to bring it back up is a diluted acid wash which seems the simplest to me as I can’t see the time sanding it back every fortnight possible not enough hrs in the day 🤷🏻♂️
I get it. As long as it is diluted properly and deactivated properly it can be a useful tool. Thanks for watching and commenting.
If you put acid on aluminum and then not immediately polish ,it will make it three times as hard to polish it after running it down the highway.
exactly
Great video! Interesting to know acid doesn't even cut as much as sanding. What a wasted step acid is. Plus acids crap on your health to deal with constantly. Glad Ive just been using glass cleaner, or degreaser if I'm washing it.
Thank you. I appreciate you watching and agree there are health risks when using acid. Thanks for the comment.
Just ordered the kit off you late last night Sir. Bought the 35.3 Oz can of LUHMI AMGLOS off you sometime ago, Awesome Shit but just about out!
Been polishing Metals for years(nothing nowhere near your level/skill) and I agree 100%, this is the metal polish I've ever used too. But have a question Sir, why do you use microfiber applicator to apply the time to shine polish instead of a Terry?
Thank You!
I don't use a microfiber pad for the aluminum polish. I use terry pads and terry towels. I do, however use a microfiber for the chrome polish.
@EvanStegerMetalPolishing I see, I just misunderstood. My mistake Sir. You do some freakin nice ass work Sir, that's for sure, wished we were alittle closer, difently come get some training off ya!
Thanks for the order and response, may get back into the polishing again soon?
Have A Great Week & Thanks Fir The Quick Shipping Sir!
Never use it straight. Never let it just sit on it. Spray rinse cut color hand polish is my gig. I don't like cutting dirty aluminum. But everyone's different
Thanks for watching!
been using diluted acid on trucks at work. its bringing tarnished alcoas back to near new shine without turning white.
That would be a first for me. I would love to see that.
@@EvanStegerMetalPolishing i believe there is a very thin line while using the acid to clean before it begins to etch. one thing i found while cleaning the wheels was if left on for the advertised couple of minutes it would begin to etch the aluminum and turn white. i mix about 1 part acid to 10 parts water and leave the acid on for no longer than 20-30 seconds before power washing off, repeat till the shine comes out.
@@dLikesDDs I'm not disagreeing with you since I am not there to see it, but I have a hard time believing the results with the science I have seen on a microscopic level. It is not very likely that acid gives a polished look. Acid by nature is a drying agent on all things. It may not on the first time but on a microscopic level it is definitely cracking the surface and making it dry out much quicker. But I've been wrong many times in my career. So it is possible.
JustGoogleIt those are Durabrites- they have a clear coating on them. That’s why the acid doesn’t turn them white.
@@penniesfromheaven2511 not clear coated bud. the acid i used was quite capable of turning them white. its how the acid is used, like stated before, theres a point where the acid begins to etch and turn it white, if thats happening you're being too aggressive with the acid wash.
How would you recommend washing a milk tanker? There’s tons of old dried up milk splattered down the sides, they don’t necessarily need to be reflective since they are in a dirt field
I would call a local wash company and look for a 2 part chemical wash setup. You would use a mild acid first then an alkaline to neutralize it. Scrubbing always helps also.
How about the citrus shine they use is it ok or should not use it either
Citrus acid is still an acid. I noticed in my personal experience citrus isn't immediate damage it is more long term damage over multiple uses. It breaks down the aluminum on the inside and not the outside. Hope this explains it.
Was hoping that question was in here - that’s what I’ve been telling my customers, just wanted to make sure I was on the right page! Thanks!!
A driver hit his wheels with acid 3 days after I polished them. Yea to say he undid everything is an understatement.
Yeah it doesn't take much to undo everything.
Look bro this green ain't working. I'm working with steel. What you recommend a white? I will go to your store and BUY???
What about the back of a wheel that has years of caked on brake dust in alot of irregular surfaces? I'm trying to clean them to a point I can at least seal the pores with a ceramic coating. No idea how to clean them otherwise? I would add a pic but saddly the new manditory updates will no longer all me to add pics
I would use an iron remover. If just cleaning you can use acid but it will dry the wheel out and make it more susceptible to caking up worse next time.
Great vid as always Evan 👌🙌💯
Glad you liked it! Thank you bud.
What kind of acid is that? Looks like Krud Kutter the must for rust. I'm right aren't I?
I WOULD LIKE TO BRING MY T660 UP AND HAVE YOU POLISH IT OUT THE REST OF THE WAY
Get on the schedule anytime. Thanks for watching
When I used acid I laughed so hard my face hurt all day the next day
Everyone has their own method. Not saying it can't be done. Just saying why I don't use it. Thanks for watching.
He was talking about the drug lmao what a jokester
what is the name of that Acid
Also different kinds of acid react with aluminum differently
True, thanks for watching
just one question, how do you remove water spots from polished aluminum.
Watered down ammonia. And then followed by a hand polish. But high speed buffing is the best way.
im having a real hard time with steps and diamond plates, please do a vid i believe you did already but if you can throw more tips in there thatd be great 👍
I'll put together a longer video. Thanks for the idea.
@@EvanStegerMetalPolishing thank you!
A little Off topic, I cant find a video that explains proper keep up on polsiheds wheels and how often should i cut and color? TIA
I say cut and color twice a year will keep your metal nice and a hand polish anytime it looks like it needs it will keep you on point all year long. Thanks for watching.
What acid is this? Phosphoric? Muriatic? Hydrochloric?
Great video,lots of knowledge learned. If you have grease or oil or tar on the aluminum what would be good to clean it first with?
degreaser
Time2Shine Orange Supreme or Super Citrus www.goshineon.com
What's your tips to cleaning oxidation off of mill finished aluminum such as trailer sub frames? It's for my own trucks and I polish everything that I can, or I feel is worth my time but I find these areas hard to polish and I don't know how to get them back to a mill finish look. Would an acid wash work okay in this situation or still not worth it?
If you do acid wash it then throw a 180 grit sand over the top of it to give it a clean new finish. Not sure if this is the answer you are looking for but if you are talking about what I think you are talking about then this is what I would do.
@@EvanStegerMetalPolishing sounds good, yeah I'm not looking to polish it to a shine just get the oxidation and discoloration out. Will have to give this a try thanks Evan!
Can you please do a video on a renegade aluminum kit and testing out the products?
No thank you. Sorry I no longer use their products and have no interest in purchasing their kit.
Evan Steger alrighty well can you explain to me why you don’t anymore? I’m starting to get into this for my business and I’m only 16 so I having a lot of guys come in with a ton of aluminum wheels so what company would you recommend and why.
Thank you
You're welcome. Thanks for watching.
What wheel cleaner do you use instead of acid
I don’t. I just wipe it or glass cleaner it.
Is it hydrochloric or sulphuric?
Usually blended phosphoric /sulfuric
The stuff I have is a blend of sulfuric. but hydrocloric works also. But they all do about the same damage on the microscopic level.
@@EvanStegerMetalPolishing are you sure it's not Hydrofluoric acid? Alibrite here in Aust is 9% Hydrofluoric which is a very nasty substance, you wouldn't be handling it without PPE.
Brother I have been in the business you are in 17 years ago. I have bought this sks, I am operating with wrong rouge. A small green rougher came with this Dremel kit I bought It is not right for steel. Get with me please. I need a white bar or something. Frustrated. Been working on this over a month
What type of material are you working on? If steel you are going to have a tough time doing it with a Dremel.
Yes it is steel. It is a 1957 chineese sks rifle. It was in terrible shape. I am restoring it. I stripped all the bluing off with vinegar. And Bagan sanding and polishing. I am using a dremel because it is alot of small parts. Would you mind sharing an email so I can send you some pictures and get advice??? Thanks Dayton
I have been flashing Aluminum and Stainless Steel since I was 14 years old never had any problem at all I think it comes out cleaner
When I buff it out
Yep same here I wouldn't start on anything without it being clean first
Jonathan Morgan the point is that if something is smooth enough to not need to be sanded...it’s not gonna be dirty enough to need acid either then for sure. So if you’re gonna sand which you almost always will then why do you need it to be clean first? Sanding with the first grit will usually completely clean the surface and it will leave the texture way less harsh and damaged. You just have never seen the difference under a microscope or don’t have the eye for it in person like Evan does. I will agree I have used it before when stripping down inside drive wheels that were completely black, mainly just to try it out, and it makes it nice...so it seems. But it’s just an extra step considering you’re going to sand it all out anyways. Acid works great for cleaning up aluminum trailer frames...and for a fleet of company trucks that isn’t going to spend the time polishing tanks and wheels, etc, then acid/aluminum brighter does leave those parts of a truck looking better than it would otherwise. those are about the only real things I would consider acid to be useful for. Like Evan said....It is so harsh it actually damages the pours to the degree of ripping soft buffs. For a guy that is one of the best and probably the most knowledgeable and for sure the most well rounded and non bias source of information in the industry...I think there’s no debate that if you’re gonna polish and are looking to keep a surface in the best condition that you can, which would always be his goal right...?...then acid is bunk lol.
We've been polishing trucks for 40 years I think we have a few things figured out by now.
I'm definitely not saying anyone can't use acid. Simply showing why I don't and what I've seen under the microscope. You guys do great work. Shine on. Thanks for watching.
What would acid do the sheet aluminum can you get a mirror finish after polishing??
I don't recommend using acid if it can be avoided.
I only acid wash then sand, is that OK??
A diluted acid is fine to use it cleans the metal quickly before hand polishing or buffing. I prefer clean aluminum myself. Aluminum is very porous and acid cleans the pores
As long as you sand below it. But I don't see a point in sanding after acid for the reasoning that when I sand I sand further down than acid typically penetrates so its wasted for me. But to each their own. If it is working for you then it isn't wrong. But for me as a business I try to cut any unneccesary spending when possible. If I have to acid and wash it takes time. Time that I could be spending sanding and not having to dry the part. But if time isn't an issue then you are good.
how often should i use zephyr pro 40 polish or any polish ever time i wash let me know no one talks about that
You can polish as often as you want or I recommend only when the shine dulls and you want it back. It is a judgement call on your part honestly.
diluted muriatic acid is what it is not straight acid, straight would have melted the hell out of aluminum quickly.
To each their own.
Ah my ocd the devils tonic 😂😂😂
Devil's tonic in deed. It has its place from time to time but not in my everyday use. To each their own I suppose.
I mean most acids you can buy are already watered down
Most acids are made for polishing. Most are made for cleaning with no care about polishing.
That’s good to know wicked shit
Thank you!
Using acid is an art form just like polishing is, if you don't do it correctly ofc it's gonna be awful
Thank you for watching and taking the time to comment.
What's best for cleaning dirtbike hubs? None polished surface .
I'd like to stop in and let u polish up my wheels?
Sorry I did not respond. If you are still interested reach out to sales@goshineon.com
HI
Thanks for watching.
I can personally say acid destroys all your hard work.I wish people that wash trucks would stop using it .
I try to avoid it like the plague.
Worry about your lung’s brother, not the aluminum.
Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment.
Need help
??
Who is gonna use straight acid and leave it for days? Not realistic results. Even multiple uses it would never equate to this example.
Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment.
Biggest mistake so far, taking on acid washed wheels and well the truck is just pitted so bad. Should have started at 80 grit.... Bad frontal lobe thinking 😏🤔
It happens to the best of us.