Powder Coated Aluminum Diamond Plate Tool Box

[kevincolby650]

Hi There,

I have a Black Powder Coated Aluminum Diamond Plate Tool Box that is looking dull. It has been neglected for about 5 years.

I was wondering the best way to get the shine back and what would you recommend for a sealer?

Thank you!

[Detailing by M]

wow, shining Diamond Plate? Nearly impossible unless you get a Dremil tool and work on it for days and day.
But you can try.
I'd go with a Micro Fiber or Wool Pad to get to all the crevices. But this will create another problem, haze or buffer marks.
So, myself, I'd clean it real good and use a spray wax.

[Vegas Transplant]

I wonder if hand applied Meg's#7 would be appropriate?

Meguiars #7 Show Car Glaze is a final step auto glaze to enhanced the gloss prior to wax application. Get a show car shine with Meguiars #7 Show Car

Or maybe something along the lines of OPS or 360~both cleaner sealants with light abrasives.

Optimum Poli Seal, paint sealant, optimum detailing products

XMT 360 corrects, cleans, and seals auto paint! XMT 360 is more than a cleaner wax, its a swirl remover, polish, and paint sealant in one.

[kevincolby650]

How about Menzerna Polishing Cream Metal Polish? It looks like it is just a cleaner..

[Vegas Transplant]

Tuscarora Dave had excellent results on heavily oxidized/neglected put-out-to-pasture-wet gelcoat using metal polish...don't know if it will work on the powder coated tool box ~ maybe testspot on the underside?!?

EDIT: What have you tried so far, and what were the results?

[kevincolby650]

about 4 years ago I used a spar wax cleaner with microfiber towel. it took some time to get in all the areas but it did help, it looked cleaner but the shine was a little dull over few months so it wasn't worth the effort lol. Be nice if I could use Klasse High Gloss Sealant.

[Vegas Transplant]

Powder coat is hard. Hand correcting is a PITA. Diamond plate adds to your woes.

Gotta google spar wax cleaner, not ringing a bell.

EDIT: Not the right product for the job. Images show anodized aluminum and wood restoration.

[kevincolby650]

How about the Flitz Motorcycle Detailing Kit. says it can be used in powder coat finishes.

Can I use a regular polish on it, or is Flitz the best option for now?
Can I apply a sealer over it?

[Vegas Transplant]

Why not give it a try. Try not to overload your tool with product.
But first a word of caution/advice...

Powder coat is hard. Hand correcting is a PITA. ...Diamond plate adds to your woes.

While I condider PC to be hard, the process itself lends to issues.
With PC, as the product is baked on, it turns to liquid. Thus liquid will settle as it dries.

With diamond plate, the high ridges (think thin raised edges) will have less paint on them than the rest of the panel.

[kevincolby650]

thanks for the heads up.