My engine bay cross braces have light discoloration/stains on them. In certain lighting conditions you can barely see it, in other lighting it stands out (I used fluorescent lighting on an angle to make it show well in my photos). Looks like leftover soap/cleaner or hard water stains but it doesn't want to come off. I've tried a few gentle aluminum cleaners without significant success (helped a wee tad bit and no more).

Anyone else have/had this and found something easy that worked? I want to avoid outright aluminum polish and buffing because I want to keep the stock look -- I don't want to risk changing the anodized look to polished/shiny.

Any suggestions?

 

I have the EXACT same issue on my Vantage. I even tried chrome polish (which is gentle) to no avail. I'm going to try a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser on a small section to see if that works. In the end, it may require a buffing wheel to cut the stains...I too am open to any ideas!

-Dan

 

I've seen it on several cars. Pretty sure it's oxidation. Might be worthwhile to try something like chrome polish.

 

It always under the mesh vents so it's acid rain or whatever contaminants get in and lay on top of the bar. NevrDull might help on the corrosion without changing the satin finish, but I'm not sure it can be corrected, depending on how deep it's stained. The finish looks like some type of beading so if somebody could find an expert that knew exactly what and how to shoot to recreate it, might be the only way to restore it to "original".

 

I tried Mr. Clean Magic Eraser on a small section, then a larger section, and it looked better when it was still wet -- but when it dried there was no improvement.

Hoping for a solution that's not too crazy. Enjoy keeping the engine compartment sparkling and admiring the V-12, would love to have the cross member bars look sharp too.

 

Try a drop of high grade light weight oil. I use that on the engine name plate every now and then as that oxidizes similarly and the oil drop makes it appear new. Lasts about a year.

 

Temporary solution which might be the only way to keep OE looking.


This is definitely water spots and etching such as what can happen to your paint if not cared for.

1. IF your AM is still looking OE, then you can apply a Coating, or a Sealant (synthetic wax) to the bars and that will prevent this from happening.

2. IF your AM already has this issue, then likely a temporary fix is all you can do without changing the finish. Below is some things you can try----

CarPro Water and Mineral Spot Remover: is a product you can try. (I have never used this) Make sure you use the product on an area that you cannot see. ie....take the brace off and do this underneath it. If you dont affect the surface, then use elsewhere. If a product such as this does not take care of the issue, then you are back to square one.

Powder Coat---- if nothing works, then get them powder coated to a color of desire then protect that with a sealant or coating. Black would be a perfect color and not detract from AM design.

Buy Ambits---- get replacement parts from here and then protect them so this doesnt happen again. I personally would get your current ones powder coated before spending money on new or used ones.


Those above examples are all I can help with from a detailing perspective. Any type of polish will change the surface. Already in the pictures you can see where the OP tried to hand polish. It made the surface semi-gloss instead of satin. If anyone gets the bright idea to totally have the bars polished, please use a coating so that work gets locked in, rather than having to re-polish all the time.

 

I have the same staining. Since the bars are anodized I think it is the anodizing breaking down from car wash soap, or uv hitting the bars thru the vents.
I used wax on mine and it improved the look, not 100% but much better.
Learned this trick when I had another car that had lots of anodized exterior trim that would get a crazed look.
If you use any abrasives on anodizing it has the potential to burn thru to the aluminum underneath and then the part will need a refinish or a complete polish.

 

WD-40 and Scotch brite sponge. then a coat of wax after.

 

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I'll give things a try and hope for the best.

 

That is using a heavy duty cleaner (bleach or worse as an ingredient) on aluminum, forget how but there is a way to get clean without using abrasives. Search the web and you will find what you need.

 

This thread made me go check mine. Still pristine [I think] but filthy? Jeez, how does all that get through an all over the access cover and engine? I'm going to have to do an underhood cleaning asap.

 

Mmm...Once you get address this problem...Clear coat the bars...Use spray or water type finish this should help keep the UV from reharming the bars...Use high temperature type coatings...Other good ideas from others posted....

 

Glass bead blast them then clear coat, it will look even better than OEM.

 

I plasti-dipped mine red with the other braces and the center manifold cover when I had my intake polished out.