Polishing Aluminum

[MN Ryan]

I'd like to polish up my billet Defcon speaker cans this spring. Any recommendations? I have some Mother's Mag & Aluminum Polish, but is there any protective coating that I need to be aware of? What can I put on after polishing to keep them looking good?

Thanks!

[core-rider]

Depending on how bad tarnished they are with depend on what product will work best for polishing, which I really don't have much useful info for you... But as far as protecting the finish once you're done polishing I highly recommend Sharkhide! I used this on some wheels I had polished professionally to help protect them and it's held up very well for 6-7 years now.
https://sharkhidestore.com/products/...num-protectant

Application is VERY particular though. You have to use a specific cotton cloth towel material. They recommended Gerber cloth diapers. The cloth has to be completely saturated. You can only wipe the surface once or it will cause runs in the application which makes it extreamly difficult on large surfaces or multiple surface angles. I never tried, but I wonder if you let the application fully cure, then made another application over the surfaces missed would it come out better.
https://www.amazon.com/Gerber-10-Pac.../dp/B005D7GAGS

This is with the coating and it is completely clear and after 6-7 years has not discolored at all and I cannot really tell that if it has worn off any.

[MN Ryan]

Wow! That is impressive.

I wouldn't say that they're terribly tarnished/oxidized, but I'd just like them shined up.

[Ryan747400]

A bit of WD40 and a rag brought mine back to life. No pitting, but they were pretty oxidized. I was told by an old dealer to use it, he recomended doing the whole tower to clean and protect it from oxidizing. Sounds like your cans might be the polished finish rather than brushed, but i wouldn't think it would make a difference.