Fixing Stained Aluminum: M95 vs M105

[coredump]

A few months back, I was an impatient and decided to use Castrol degreaser to clean my engine bay. Needless to say, I messed up a lot of my polished/brushed aluminum in my engine bay.

All my brushed/polished aluminum is stained because of the Castrol degreaser. I've used M95 and a terry cloth and buffed most of it out. However, it's a slow, slow process.

I ran out of M95 now so I need to buy either M95 or M105. What's better for this job? M95 or M105? Is M105 harsher than M95?

Thanks!

[Murr1525]

Re: Fixing Stained Aluminum: M95 vs M105

I'd try M105.

[coredump]

Re: Fixing Stained Aluminum: M95 vs M105

Thanks.

Is there a better buffing cloth that I can use? I'm just using a standard terry cloth.

I won't be able to use a machine because I can't stick a buffer on my intake manifold, intake, radiator, etc...

[Murr1525]

Re: Fixing Stained Aluminum: M95 vs M105

Well, I use terry on my exhaust.... not sure you'll do much better.

Metal is tough, so you need some bite.

Maybe could do a final application with something like the smooth foam applicators just to try for a higher gloss.

[coredump]

Re: Fixing Stained Aluminum: M95 vs M105

Well, I use terry on my exhaust.... not sure you'll do much better.

Metal is tough, so you need some bite.

Maybe could do a final application with something like the smooth foam applicators just to try for a higher gloss.

So use a terry cloth to bite and remove the blemishes.

Smooth foam applicator + M105 or metal polish to give it the gloss?

[Murr1525]

Re: Fixing Stained Aluminum: M95 vs M105

Well.. its worth trying...

[coredump]

Re: Fixing Stained Aluminum: M95 vs M105

Great, thanks for replying!

[coredump]

Re: Fixing Stained Aluminum: M95 vs M105

So I got some M105 and terry cloth and it buffed out almost all the damage.

Observations:

1.) M105 also polishes out the aluminum. M95 does not. I actually prefer a more brushed aluminum look than polish but its definitely not end of the world.
2.) M105 is a lot harsher and works faster than M95 on aluminum. I had to be careful how much pressure/rubbing/duration I put on the aluminum as it would be really obvious that a certain part of the aluminum would be shinier than another part.

Regardless, I still like M105 more than M95 in fixing aluminum. M95 took forever. M105 just works a lot faster.

[TerryAdams]

Re: Fixing Stained Aluminum: M95 vs M105

M95 is recommended for rotary only. I love it with a Yellow solo wool pad.

[Murr1525]

Re: Fixing Stained Aluminum: M95 vs M105

[Eddie6th]

Re: Fixing Stained Aluminum: M95 vs M105

I've used quite a bit of castrol cleaners on my bay and they were fine. I specificaly used 'Bike Cleaner' and 'Bike Degreaser'. Were you using any of those products?

[coredump]

Re: Fixing Stained Aluminum: M95 vs M105

Nope, I'll take a picture of it some day. It's the devil. I hate you Castrol!!

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Fixing Stained Aluminum: M95 vs M105

I am glad you fixed the problem. Good tip for the rest of us.

[InfiniteDetail]

Re: Fixing Stained Aluminum: M95 vs M105

You might be able to restore the brushed aluminum look with some Unigrit sand paper by sanding in a straight line. I'd practice on a piece of scrap aluminum with different grits until I found the right look