Ok so many folks have asked my process for getting your nasty corroded windows to like this.
First I purchase a product from Aircraft Spruce called Alumiprep 33.
Then I purchase two mortar mixing trays from Home Depo to clean the windows in. Do not use steel trays. The solution is corrosive.
2)Disassemble windows. Keep the window parts together. After I disassemble windows I tape them together and label them. As I restore them I do them individually and retape them together in between each step. Trust me it will save time in the long run trying to figure out which parts go where.
3)Clean all grease and dirt off parts first. The solution does not cut grease or dirt.
4)Make sure you where latex gloves. The solution is basically a low concentration of phosphoric acid so it may burn your skin if you have sensitive skin. My hands are like leather so it doesn't bother me but more importantly this process basically chemically removes the aluminum oxide and leaves the parts in a pure aluminum state. Pure aluminum corrodes very quickly. The oils in your skin will cause them to corrode faster, so where gloves. A Respirator is really not necessary but wear one if you like.
6) As part is soaking scrub with a nylon stiff bristle brush. I also scrub with 00 or 000 steel wool. the steel wool will get the parts to shine.
7)Rinse in fresh water and dry immediately. They will get water spots if you do not dry them. If your not happy will the end product repeat process again. Remember it's not done right until it's done twice.
8) Now if your crazy like me take never dull and polish. The results will be amazing. And the cool thing is it won't take a lot of elbow grease either.
and the mechanisms will look great too Much better than you could ever get with a buffing wheel. And no black hands.
9) Now you need to Anodize the parts. In the condition the parts are in now they will begin to corrode relatively quickly. If you can't anodize them right away don't worry you can do it within a week or so just don't store them in a damp place and don't touch them with your bear hands.
Mix the Alodine 1001 according to data sheet. Make sure you get the Alodine 1001 they make a 1201 that is if you are going to paint your parts. The 1201 will leave the part with a green tint.
10)Soak the part for apron 3 to 4 minutes making sure the parts has been completely covered. You will see the solution start to bead like wax on a car. Pretty cool.
11)Rinse with water and dry. Reassemble windows and install.
And there you go beautiful looking windows. Oh and get your self a few gallon jugs and save the mixture so when your TCT friends see how beautiful your windows look you can just give them the stutf you bought and save them 60 bucks or so. Oh and let them use the trays you bought at Home Depo too.
Dom-Thank you for the tips. I have plenty of window frames to clean for my '63 Oasis. How far will one bottle take me?