Letter 41066

Aluminum shiny -finish destroyed in dishwasher [Australia] 

June 12, 2006

I recently placed a new shinny aluminum meat-mallet (tenderizer) in our dishwasher. It came out almost black and looks terrible. Can I do anything to restore the original finish or at least a clean looking finish. What would have caused this? Was it anodized or something? Could anodizing be removed simply by washing in a dishwasher. Was there a chemical reaction or dissimilar metal issue? Any advice appreciated as my wife wants to kill me for damaging it. She may even use the meat tenderizer to do it! I would at least like to be killed with a clean, shiny object.

Gary Cay
Plastics - Sydney, Australia

Metal polish, most likely you managed to oxidize the surface of the metal. Just use whatever metal polish you have handy to remove the surface oxidization, if you don't have any try toothpaste.

Marc Banks
Blacksmith - Shawboro, NC

Take the easy way out. Sneak out and buy an identical one. Rub it a tiny bit with toothpaste, give it to the lovely lady and tell her that you "polished it" No lie, but not the whole truth either. PS, keep this one in the hand wash category.

James Watts
- FL

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