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I am looking into aluminum brightner.. it's an acid I think..?. or could try water with some dawn soap and 3000 grit wet sand paper?
That might work but try the brightner first as I'm not 100% it would work. Sounds like a trip to O'Reilly's would be a good place to start. Most the time they're able to point out what would be the best to use.
You won't be able to make the factory aluminum much better by polishing.
It is anodized aluminum which fogs up over the years. The only way to make shiny again is to have the anodizing stripped and redone.
You might be able to make it look *slightly* better by polishing but will be exercise in futility.
I would check in to getting one of those aftermarket ones linked above or pay up and get one of the replacement or NOS tailgate finish garnish panels if it is that important.
The tailgate panel on my 96 looks like yours. It looks to me like it's either annodized or brushed to look like that. It's not going to just polish to a bright luster, that why you're not seeing Blue Magic do anything, and that's been my go to metal polish for years. You might be able to get it to shine a little brighter if you get a high speed buffer and a tight knit cotton wheel to use with the Blue Magic, but I wouldn't really get my hopes up.
The tailgate panel on my 96 looks like yours. It looks to me like it's either annodized or brushed to look like that. It's not going to just polish to a bright luster, that why you're not seeing Blue Magic do anything, and that's been my go to metal polish for years. You might be able to get it to shine a little brighter if you get a high speed buffer and a tight knit cotton wheel to use with the Blue Magic, but I wouldn't really get my hopes up.
Not what you want to hear, I know.
this Is what I expected, Thanks.
Even if I buy the aluminum brightner acid, and buff and buff(supplies cost $) I stiill have to buy the black or red plastic strip, and FORD letters for the right side, ( or worse, buy a whole decent trim panel with all of it on there already, $200+??), and still prep ,prime and paint the whole thing. I can put the other tailgate and panel with brackets on Marketplace, and in the end have a nice tailgate for like $200 total.
I really think I am going to weld up the holes and finish it off with some Seal Skin, ( are a few dings too) and paint the whole thing White to match and then decide on if I want to accent color the
BIG F O R D embossed across the tailgate, then top it off with some Eastwood 2k clear. ( I will prep and spray bedline the inside surface.)
Sounds easier, cheaper, faster, and there is just something about that Big F O R D across the back.
The small holes at each end should just tack weld til full and I can grind down...for the the bigger trim piece bracket holes, I think I will have to buy some washers with small holes, make a way to pull them flush from underneath and tack them in place. The hole will actually give a spot for filler to push through and catch better. I am actually looking forward to this.
this Is what I expected, Thanks.
Even if I buy the aluminum brightner acid, and buff and buff(supplies cost $) I stiill have to buy the black or red plastic strip, and FORD letters for the right side, ( or worse, buy a whole decent trim panel with all of it on there already, $200+??), and still prep ,prime and paint the whole thing. I can put the other tailgate and panel with brackets on Marketplace, and in the end have a nice tailgate for like $200 total.
I really think I am going to weld up the holes and finish it off with some Seal Skin, ( are a few dings too) and paint the whole thing White to match and then decide on if I want to accent color the
BIG F O R D embossed across the tailgate, then top it off with some Eastwood 2k clear. ( I will prep and spray bedline the inside surface.)
Sounds easier, cheaper, faster, and there is just something about that Big F O R D across the back.
The small holes at each end should just tack weld til full and I can grind down...for the the bigger trim piece bracket holes, I think I will have to buy some washers with small holes, make a way to pull them flush from underneath and tack them in place. The hole will actually give a spot for filler to push through and catch better. I am actually looking forward to this.
A yard local to me shows they have a 95 XLT with the panel. It's the 2nd listing with the smashed front end. looks like it could be had for around $50, but I imagine the shipping would be the killer because it would be oversized no matter how you shipped it. I stopped selling stuff on Ebay because the shipping got to be too expensive for things.
I can run down to this place in the morning tomorrow (Sunday) and see if they still have the panel if you're interested. Let me know if you want me to put eyes on it and possibly snag it.
A yard local to me shows they have a 95 XLT with the panel. It's the 2nd listing with the smashed front end. looks like it could be had for around $50, but I imagine the shipping would be the killer because it would be oversized no matter how you shipped it. I stopped selling stuff on Ebay because the shipping got to be too expensive for things.
I can run down to this place in the morning tomorrow (Sunday) and see if they still have the panel if you're interested. Let me know if you want me to put eyes on it and possibly snag it.
I appreciate the effort, but cost wise, probably not a great option. I have not found a lot of junk yards near me here. The truck is an XL reg cab long bed and will never be a show stopper. It's more of a project and a cheap 4x4 so when we get our snowmagedons here, The wife and daughter's Miatas are useless. They can use my 2017 F250 to get to work, and I can get across town to firehouse in this truck..
Pretty sure it needs exhaust manifolds ( plus rest of exhaust is close to being completely shot), rear main seal. (Possibly front), check engine light comes on, smog pump been ripped out,( pretty sure not properly)... I gotta redo all vacuum lines, front diff, bearings and u- joints need help... so plenty of bigger fish to fry.
Right now doing cheaper more elbow grease type stuff like de rust and coat frame, tailgate etc. So I am slowing down and spreading out the cost over time and slowing down the deterioration pace by not letting rust and crust keep brewing.
Yeah, I keep an eye out for OBS stuff at my local yards, but most of the trucks around here are trashed, so the things I'm typically after aren't worth the effort. Fortunately my truck was very well taken care of by the PO so there's not really much I need but there are some things I'd like to have a spare of simply because the truck is old and the parts aren't so readily available in the yards anymore. At least not in my area.
That tailgate with the large lettering would be an interesting customization on your truck.
That's a good idea.
I will probably kick myself later, but I think I have convinced myself to weld and bondo the holes closed. That way I can take advantage of the BIG F O R D embossed letters across the back.
I got a violation email Friday night, because I had to leave the truck on Jackstand ( parked in the street.. registered and insured) while rear leaf spring is off. I thought I had a parts kit from Energy suspension, but the shackle bushings were not right. and naturally the ones I need are not stocked and they had to make them and then ship them... so its been 2 weeks
( bushings due in this Wednesday...)
the jokes on the HOA, they sent me all the rules that applied to the violation.... and they all state " Can't be on my lot" and refer to PODs,RV, Boat, Trailer, motorhome, or Hobby vehicle
( I am legally parked in the street and the vehicles listed are not my truck)
I sent them a reply about how I am not happy the truck is on Jackstand and what happened... and it would be resolved as soon as parts arrive.Then I added the reasons their violation does not apply to my truck or the situation. I have always found that they send out notices and hope you get scared and correct what they want. If you call them out on the faulty logic in the violation, they go away. Truck will be fixed before they even get back to me. 18 years here and have never been fined.
Just a funny update...
The reply I received today stated " it doesn't matter how the violation is worded" and said If they need to involve the police they will, and PD will tow the truck away.
( tell me you have No power/ Jurisdiction over the street, without telling me you have no power over the street)
final result was, they gave me a week to fix the truck, or they will have to call PD and have CITY tow it... I am a city fireman and know all the cops. If they know I am fixing it , I do not think they will bother towing it, not just me, for anybody.
The real kicker was he stated if I had moved the truck to my driveway, I would not have gotten a violation notice... not sure what sense that makes???...LOL
