I've read on various ways to clean up an aluminum diamond plate toolbox - anywhere from Kool-Aid to felt ***** to bieber carpet.

I found a toolbox on Craigslist that is what I want (list price too high), but it has some oxidation or other aesthetic defect on the right front half. Seller unsure of what it is. Toolbox is about 200 miles from the house, so I don't want to spend half a day driving over there to find out its junk.

For those that have recovered diamond plate aluminum toolboxes, can you weigh in on what you think the defect is and if it stands a reasonable chance of being polished out?

Thanks,

Mike

https://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/pts/6018516597.html

 

Hard to say by the pic, IMHO...some type of rub mark. Looks restorable with a little sweat........visit your local hardware store for polishing compound (stick) specific for aluminum and get a sewn cotton buffing pad.......probably 4-6 hours of work, but should look like new. I would recommend afterwards, spraying a coat of clear over it or powder coat in clear so it will stay that way with little to no maintenace

 

Thanks for the advice. Based on price, location, and condition, I'm going to pass, but it helps give me and idea on the method and time commitments to fix up such a defect.

 

I used aluminum rim cleaner and it worked fine.