Polishing Aluminum Roof Rails

hybridamp

hybridamp

Member
Car
2012 FX35 LE
Anyone found a good product that actually lasts through a few washings for polishing the aluminum sport package's roof rails? Are they definitely aluminum?

My 07's are horrible as I assume the first owner never took care of them properly...
 
Meguiar Quick Detailer works nicely.

Before I used Meguiar, I used the following sets:

- Einzett Metal & Chrome Polish
- Nev'r Dull wadding
- Solution of 50% white vinegar & 50% distilled water
- 100% white vinegar
- Soft Scrub
- polishing compound (! Do it very carefully and gently!)
 
Woah, you tried a lot. I was also considering the Nev'r Dull wadding, but when I had polished alum wheels several years ago that product faded back away quickly. I will give the quick detailer a shot. Thanks for your help.

Mine is so bad (just brought it home pre-owned) that I considered asking the dealer to fix it under warranty, but if it's real aluminum I completely understand why it looks like it does. I just figured it was "aluminum" look plastic.
 
Last edited:
gto said:
It's real. This aint no Honda
Click to expand...

lol. True. This is my 4th Infiniti, and my QX4's roof rails had to be replaced under warranty because the "unique" painted coating started flaking off after 1 year so I was just curious if it was the same type of finish.

aquilles10 said:
Never thought of trying Meguiar's Quick Detailer. I just thought it might be too gentle.
Click to expand...

I thought so too, which is why I was thinking of the Nev'r'dull aluminum wheel polish product... The quick detailer is worth a shot though I suppose.
 
I picked up both the quick detailer and mother's metal polish; plan to try both tomorrow. Maybe one on each rail and see which works best.

From experience with polished alum wheels in the past, no doubt that the quick detailer will be faster/easier in regards to labor. :)
 
I'd say polish first to restore the finish & remove oxides & micro scratches, then detailer to coat & maintain it after it's polished...
 
I tried the quick detailer and it didn't really work. Removed a little but still needs help...any other ideas?
 
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