Hi all,
My '99 ram came with a set of aluminum bed rail caps. The problem is they were sitting in the sun for 9 years and they're heavily corroded. Instead of being mirror like, they are more of a greyish yellow color and give absolutely no reflection.

I bought some Mothers aluminum polish and went to work on them, but I can't get them shiny is I would like. What's the best way to polish HEAVILY corroded aluminum? Thanks in advance.

I use a standard chrome polish for mine, but I also use a power wheel and completly shred on the caps and the running boards to get them to shine. I have some aluminum polish laying around, but it doesn't do as good as a job IMO.

I would use chrome polish as Laramie stated with a dual action orbital to cut through the corrosion,
FF

Does the polish turn black when you apply? If so it is not clear coated and I would use Wolfgang Aluminum Polish. If it doesnt that you have to treat it like paint. I would try M105 and M205 from megs

Yes the polish turns black when applied. The can of mothers alumnimum polish says it's supposed to turn black. I'll try chrome polish and the other products mentioned and see how it goes.

Is there something I can coat the aluminum with that will give it a little bit of gloss and protect it from the sun?

You can put a coat of wax down, but if you polish it hard, it should shine like a new penny.

my wife uses 'barkeepers friend' for her aluminum pots and pans. Now I know this is for a car, but it does make them shine (it is an abrasive powder),
FF

If it is that corroded, you might try rubbing compound. It has some stronger abrasives, but should not be rough. I like using Brasso myself. I ended up using Polishing compound on my nerf bars about two months ago because the base uses secondary water to run the sprinklers, and my truck was getting coated with lots of hard water deposits...

+ 1 on rubbing compound....worked great on my bed caps....also, i used a etching wheel cleaner on my nasty aluminum wheels and it worked great...i think it was eagle one...might give that a try

I've got the SLT standard aluminum standard rims on my truck. Is regular body rubbing compound the best way to go or is another alternative recommended?