Factory bed rail coating

[RShook]

I was wondering if any of you guys know what type of coating the factory uses on the aluminum parts of these rails and how it can be removed? I've tried aircraft stripper on and old rail that is no good and it didn't touch it.
I'm trying to clean some up for my truck but not having much luck polishing the aluminum pieces.

Thanks

[hatzie]

Maybe they used powdercoat? It was available for industrial applications well before the application equipment got cheap enough for the average Joe to afford it.

Sand blasting will remove powder coat but it will alter the surface finish and could remove a lot of material if you aren't careful.

B17 Liquid Stripper will strip powder but it's really really really nasty harsh stuff... It probably has Methlyene Chloride in it like the old formulation of Berrymans' B9 Carb Dip (the one that actually works).

You DO NOT EVER want to breathe chlorinated solvents. They have a tendency to melt your lungs. Wear the right breathing equipment and DO NOT get it on your skin.

[ray_mcavoy]

I think the rails are anodized aluminum. If they are, I've had good luck using Easy Off Heavy Duty oven cleaner to remove old anodized finishes so the aluminum can be polished.

[RShook]

Originally Posted by ray_mcavoy

I think the rails are anodized aluminum. If they are, I've had good luck using Easy Off Heavy Duty oven cleaner to remove old anodized finishes so the aluminum can be polished.

Thanks Ray!!
That did the trick
It's takes a few times to get it all off but they are polishing up nicely now.

[ray_mcavoy]

Glad to hear it did the trick! Yeah, that anodizing can be pretty stubborn and take a few applications of the oven cleaner to completely remove it all.