Anyone have a particularly successful method to strip/polish or just polish the "brushed aluminum" panel on the tailgate of my 96 EB?

I worked on the paint a bit today and it's looking pretty good, so thought I'd try to make that panel look better while I'm at it.

 

I had some aluminum bedrail caps on my 78 that I just hit with a wire wheel. Came out great but Idk about Doing it on your tailgate panel.

 

I used never dull on my panel. Made it looks bright and like its supposed too. Give it a shot its like 5 bucks a can and would last you a long time

 

Thanks guys! I'll give the never-dull a try... I have some....been using it for years on alloy wheels/chrome/etc.

 

I love never dull. Use it on my chrome wheels and bumpers :-)

 

The never-dull helped a bit...it almost looks like "weathering" or something or maybe the PO tried cleaning it with something they shouldn't have...it looks "streaked in places. I'm sure that panel is coated, as the never-dull didn't "blacken" or anything when using it.

 

They may have waxed over it. Have you tried something to strip the wax off? Shouldnt hurt the aluminum.

 

maybe some 0000 steel wool?

I'm thinking the panel is clearcoated...if not, shouldn't the never-dull turn black when rubbing it, like it does on bare (non-clearcoated) alloy wheels?

I'd just like to remove whatever coating is on it, so I can actually polish it.

Anyone had any luck with that or have any other suggestions?

 

I'd like to bump this thread. Anyone come across any tricks over the years? Thanks!

 

Basically anything that works well on brusehd aluminum should work wel here. I've never concerned myself with that so I don't know the actual products and procedures, but that's what the tailgate insert is.