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Cleaning brushed aluminum flag poles
Some clearcoating solutions 
Sirs, I've been given the task of cleaning three(3) flag poles with brushed aluminum finish. Each pole is @ 30 feet tall.We can reach these poles top to bottom as we have use of a cherry picker. Each pole has black marks from the ropes and also oxidation. Please advise me on the best way to clean them or should I consider painting them.
Thank you in advance.
John T [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]Painting - Toms River, New Jersey
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I also have been given the task of cleaning an old brushed aluminum flag pole, it is oxidized and has algae covering the first
5-7 ft from the ground, I can access the entire pole what should I us for best results
Thank you,
Ric Patterson
Facilities Maintenance Division
City
- WASHINGTON
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I too am cleaning aluminum poles of graffitti, posters, tape and mold. I'm using l lacquer thinner [linked by editor to product info at Amazon] and a scraper knife as well as SOS pads. They shine up real good with a bit of elbow grease.
Sam Smith- Halifax, Nova Scotia
February 26, 2008
Information on cleaning an aluminum flagpole
Martin Breitinger- Mansfield, Ohio USA
- ^-- I want to contact this person and my company is a supporting advertiser of finishing.com
February 26, 2008
First, get a very tall ladder . . . :-)
Seriously, Sam's idea is probably as good as any. There are commercial aluminum cleaners available at your hardware store, but I don't see where they do much. I would urge you not to use anything with hydrofluoric acid, as this is just so dangerous that it deeply frightens professional metal finishers. You could try aircraft stripper [linked by editor to product info at Amazon], which is noxious stuff but not as bad as the HF. After you've cleaned it you may wish to clearcoat it. The clearcoat not only protects it, but can often restore lustre by offering a smooth surface instead of a rough surface. If it looks good when wet, it will look a lot like that after clearcoating. Good luck!
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