Warbird Information Exchange

In my hometowm we have an Air Force Association that has a T33 mounted on a pedestal. Its been there since 1975 so the aluminium is quite tarnished and is in need of refurb.
I am quite aware of the traditional paste and buffers method of polishing and its very labour intensive ways .
The Assoc. like many Vets Clubs operates on a shoestring budget.
Are there any easier economical ways of getting her shiny again ?
Some people have suggested that the products used by Transport Truckers may work. Apparently you spray it on , let it sit, then power spray the surface and it restores the polish look . Sounds too good to be true.
What methods / products have you guys used / recommend ?

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...it was a plane adrift beneath the moon moving serenely thru beams like an angel of the night .....fair as a song ........aloof from mortal dreams

My guess is if there is a "spray on-wash off" agent that truckers use it is good for cleaning an already clean or polished surface, or a surface that has some kind of clear coat on it.

If in doubt, go to the local big rig dealer or servicing center and ask.
Also, ask local EAA guys if anyone in town has a NMF plane and get advice.

My guess is the only way you'll get rid of years of tarnish on metal is a paste and then buff job.
I have a car with lots of brass on it....no such thing as a free lunch.

Call the Meguires wax people. They have a customer service center to answer questions like yours. IIRC, they helped, or did or contracted for, the polish job on the Lyons B-17.
They can point you in the right direction.

A friend uses Mothers aluminum polish with good results.

As far as budget goes...ask Meguires if they could give you a discount. You might have to write a letter or something, the worst they can do is say "no".
Also, if it's a community service, ask local auto parts stores for donations of the polish or buffing pads/machines. Car clubs usually hit them up for door prizes and awards for shows, they're used to it. Again the worst they can do is say "no".

You might ask a local car club for help, most of their members will have buffers and many like to do service work like this.
The local EAA chapter or a JROTC unit might help too.

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Remember the vets, the wonderful planes they flew and their sacrifices for a future many of them did not live to see.
Note political free signature.
I figure if you wanted my opinion on items unrelated to this forum, you'd ask for it.

The airline I work for used to polish their aircraft and would use an aluminum brightener before polishing. It was called CEE BEE B-6. It was sprayed on, allowed to sit for awhile and washed off with water.

http://www.mcgean.com/documents/datashe ... S22005.pdf

I used to drive past Victorville, CA often and saw a business off 395 that specialized in polishing aluminum campers and boats. I used to like to look at their yard as I drove by because they had a number of vintage Airstream campers gleaming like new. If you can find a business like that near you (or on the internet), they may give you advice on products, materials and techniques that they use. I'm sure those businesses work on many very old campers and boats that are badly tarnished and bring them back to like-new condition.

And people keep asking the CAF crew why they painted FIFI. . .

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Dean Hemphill, K5DH
Port Charlotte, Florida