Below is information that I saved from posts along time ago. I cannot vouch for any of the information/recommendations, etc. I just saved it for future use by pasting into a WordPerfect document. I hope it is accurate and useful:
Aluminum Trim Refinishing
Stripping:
You can remove it using Sodium Hydroxide (Lye). It can be found using either Easy-Off oven cleaner or Red Devil Drain Cleaner. I use red devil drain cleaner in a bath (Rubber Maid) tubs, or using 4" PVC. Once in the bath it will be gone in about 10 Minutes. Just make sure you rinse it well when you pull it out of the bath.
The Bath that I have use is as follows
* 1 Gallon of distilled water
* Sodium Hydroxide (lye).......8 oz.
* Sodium Carbonate..............2 oz.
*Trisodium Phosphate..............4 oz.
Sodium Hydroxide ...... Red Devil Drain Cleaner
Sodium Carbonate....... Arm and Hammer Super Washing Soda
Trisodium Phosphate ......Look in the Paint section of a Hardware store under the name of TSP.
Use it warm, the warmer the more aggressive it gets. You may also want to aggitate it. I use a old fishtank bubbler blowing into a piece of 1/2 PVC that I have drilled holes in. Use Gloves since all this is CAUSTIC and will burn your skin.
You can save it and use it again just adding water since the chemicles do not evaperate..
Polishing:
1st step is to use "Tripoli" Compound with a "Sisel Wheel", I use this to remove any sratches. The whole piece will get a quick buff using this.
2nd step is to use "White Rouge" Compound with a "loose section flannel" wheel. This will bring out a near mirror finish.
For tight spots I use a rotory tool with the same compounds.
If you leave it "RAW" you will get away with "Polishing it" with mother's or other metal polishes. I have found "Gords" metal polish to be the fastest.
the PC Glisten will seal in the shine and now you just wash it.
