How to Make Homemade Aluminum Polish Cleaner
Homemade cleaning and polishing agents often contain less chemicals than their commercial counterparts and very often cost a lot less. Making homemade aluminum cleaner is simple but is something that must be done outdoors in well-ventilated conditions. The homemade polishes for aluminum often work as well, if not better, than commercial options. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- 1 brick 8-inch buffing compound
- 2 tbsps. household ammonia
- 1 qt. mineral spirits
- Outdoor gas burner
- 1 gallon old pot
- Stick
Instructions
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1
Light the gas burner outside where there is good ventilation, pour mineral spirits into the pot and set on a low flame.
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2
Break the buffing compound brick into 2 or 3 pieces, and place in the pot, stirring continually with the stick until the brick has fully dissolved and there are no lumps. Cool overnight.
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3
Add the ammonia to the cool mixture a little bit at a time, stirring until it reaches the desired consistency. The ammonia reacts with the mixture and turns it into a paste; add more than the 2 tbsp. if you want a thinner polish.
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4
Rub the paste onto the aluminum with a soft cloth, polishing until a black smudge appears on the surface, and wipe off. Repeat as necessary
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1
Tips & Warnings
For aluminum cutlery, boiling in equal parts vinegar, equal parts water is an alternative cleaning agent.
Do not breathe in the fumes as you make the aluminum polish. Good ventilation is essential.
Do not ingest the aluminum polish, and always keep chemicals out of reach of children.
Do not use the pot you made the aluminum cleaner in for cooking food.
