How to Clean Aluminum and Restore a Mirror Like Shine Step by Step

At Abrasive Brush Corporation, we see the same problem over and over. Aluminum parts can look dirty, but what you are really dealing with is oxidation and years of heat-baked residue bonded to the surface. Whether you are in the automotive, aerospace, marine, or industrial equipment industry, this issue is common. If you want aluminum to look bright again, the solution is not one miracle polish. It is a simple progression that removes the dull layer, refines the surface, then finishes with a true polish.

Below is the process we recommend for cleaning aluminum and bringing back the shine on older parts, including classic valve covers.

What you will need

You do not need an elaborate setup. A drill and the right abrasives are enough. Use a drill that can spin up to about 4000 RPM, two inch TrnLok brushes from Abrasive Brush Corporation in 220 grit and 400 grit, sandpaper in 600 grit, 1000 grit, and 2500 grit, fine steel wool, an aluminum polishing compound such as Mothers Mag and Aluminum Polish, and clean soft cloths.

Our TrnLok brushes are designed to stay consistent while you work. A higher quality abrasive brush holds its grit and shape longer, which helps you maintain an even cut across the surface. That means fewer uneven scratch marks, fewer brush swaps, and a smoother path to a bright finish.

Step 1 Clean off oil and grime first

Before you touch abrasives, wipe the part down and remove oil and heavy grime. If it is greasy, use a degreaser, then dry it completely. This prevents you from grinding dirt into the metal and helps the brush cut evenly.

Step 2 Remove oxidation with the 220 grit brush

Start with the 220 grit TrnLok brush. This is the heavy lifting step. Use it to remove the dirt, most surface oxidation, and much of the pitting. Keep the brush moving and work evenly across the surface. At this stage the aluminum will look cleaner but not shiny, and that is exactly what you want. You are stripping off the dull layer so you can refine the metal underneath.

Because the brush stays consistent, you can work across the surface with predictable results instead of getting patchy areas where the abrasive stops cutting. That consistency is what sets you up for a cleaner finish later.

Step 3 Refine the finish with the 400 grit brush

Next, switch to the 400 grit TrnLok brush. This step smooths out what the 220 grit leaves behind. It removes remaining pitting and reduces the scratches left by the 220 grit. When you finish this step, the surface should look more uniform and ready for sanding.

Step 4 Hand sand to remove brush marks and build shine

Now move to manual sanding. Start with 600 grit sandpaper to remove the scratches left by the 400 grit brush. Then repeat the process with 1000 grit. Finish with 2500 grit. The goal is simple. Each finer grit removes the scratches left by the previous grit. If you rush past a grit before the earlier scratches are gone, they will still be visible at the end.

Step 5 Final polish with steel wool and aluminum compound

For the final shine, use fine steel wool and an aluminum polishing compound. Put a pea size amount of polish on the surface, then polish with the steel wool until the compound turns black. Wipe off the used compound with a clean soft cloth. Repeat if necessary until the shine matches what you want.

Do not wipe off compound with paper towels or napkins. Many are made from wood fiber and can scratch a freshly polished surface. Use a clean soft cloth instead.

Why this process works

If you have been searching for how to clean aluminum, this is the difference between a quick cleanup and a true restoration. You are not trying to polish through oxidation. You remove oxidation first, refine the surface second, and only then polish for shine. That sequence is what makes old aluminum look bright again.

Want to try it on your own parts? Grab the 2 inch TrnLok 220 grit and 400 grit brushes from Abrasive Brush Corporation and follow the same steps above to bring the shine back.