Cleaning Metals

[DanGWanG]

With the acquisition of some new aluminum keyboards, how would one clean them without damaging them?  I want them to look better than new, polished, shiny and all that good stuff.  I realize aluminum isn't the toughest metal, so I want to use products that can safely clean them.  So far, all  I've been using is water and a microfiber towel.  But water doesn't make them look stunning.

Also, my Titanium spacebar from feng is a little dirty.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[jcrouse]

There seems to be two separate issues, maybe. The difference being are they anodized  or not. Like the aluminum KMAC minis. Are they clear coated in some way? That could require a different method than one that is anodized.  I would start with Google and look up cleaning an anodized surface. Also, after cleaning, it can probably be waxed, like a car, or anodized bike frame.

Just a few thoughts,
John

[tp4tissue]

Um.... when you say clean... what do you mean...

if it's just OIL, just get it off with some low concentration rubbing alcohol,, but aluminum RUSTS regardless of what you do, and will continue to rust...

The anodization is a "RUSTED" layer that hardens and may protect the outer surface for "a few years"

but, then it'd have to eventually''' be De-anodized, and resurfaced.... and "re-anodized"

[laffindude]

Depends on how strong of a cleaner you want. If you want it chemically cleaned, you can try Extreme Simple Green. They're pretty strong and aluminum safe. Regular Simple Green will work fine as long as you don't leave it on there and you get all the residue off. It's a strong alkaline solution. Then you can coat the aluminum with some of those aluminum wheel wax.

[fohat.digs]

I would start with soapy water and liquid dish soap such as Dawn.

A little rubbing with a soft cloth will do a surprising amount of good, unless the aluminum is stained, with very minimal risk.

[tp4tissue]

I still don't understand "what" he's trying to "clean off"

if it is oil, then alcohol will be enough, at most, use some acetone for deeper grooves.


If you have "tarnish", then you have to de-anodize, then re-anodize the area... but it will probably look somewhat splotchy if you do this.

[4LI4Z]

Just use a car care product works fine on everything.

[DanGWanG]

I still don't understand "what" he's trying to "clean off"

if it is oil, then alcohol will be enough, at most, use some acetone for deeper grooves.


If you have "tarnish", then you have to de-anodize, then re-anodize the area... but it will probably look somewhat splotchy if you do this.

Just trying to keep the keyboard tidy, nothing in particular to clean.

Thanks for all the tips everyone, I'll try some basic stuff first then move my way into car care products for polishing.

[tp4tissue]

I still don't understand "what" he's trying to "clean off"

if it is oil, then alcohol will be enough, at most, use some acetone for deeper grooves.


If you have "tarnish", then you have to de-anodize, then re-anodize the area... but it will probably look somewhat splotchy if you do this.

Just trying to keep the keyboard tidy, nothing in particular to clean.

Thanks for all the tips everyone, I'll try some basic stuff first then move my way into car care products for polishing.

the wax is usually safe,, but some of the other stuff,, like soaps and anything with "shine" written on it... you have to "thoroughly" check the ingredients list.