My 5 year old Troyer aluminum 3" T14 pole used to look shiny and new. I leave the pole up all winter due to its size, but lower and tarp my house. How can I get it to look shiny again. It now has a cloudy gray look to it from oxidation. Have any of you noticed this on your T14 aluminum poles? Would a product like Aluma-Kleen made by Biokleen do the trick? I was thinking of purchasing this stuff, because it has great reviews for cleaning up the aluminum runners on pontoon boats. Or do most of you just not worry about removing oxidation from your T14 pole? Mine is like a favorite car. I really want to keep it looking nice.
Your feedback would be greatly appreciated.
Need Advice on removing Oxidation from T14 aluminum Pole
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BIOteacher012
- Posts: 165
- Joined: Fri Mar 23, 2012 3:19 pm
- Location: Wisconsin/Montello
BrianT
2017 38 nesting pairs, 181 fledged
2016 22 nesting pairs, 113 fledged
2015 20 nesting pairs, 91 fledged
2014 10 nesting pairs, 49 fledged
2013 4 nesting pairs, 15 fledged
2012 Lots of lookers but no nesters
2017 38 nesting pairs, 181 fledged
2016 22 nesting pairs, 113 fledged
2015 20 nesting pairs, 91 fledged
2014 10 nesting pairs, 49 fledged
2013 4 nesting pairs, 15 fledged
2012 Lots of lookers but no nesters
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BIOteacher012
- Posts: 165
- Joined: Fri Mar 23, 2012 3:19 pm
- Location: Wisconsin/Montello
Okay.....so Andy Troyer tells me that the oxidation is a normal process for his aluminum poles and the gray color is natural. His recommendation for me is to leave it as is. So.......I guess I am posting a response to my own question......how sad is that!! 
BrianT
2017 38 nesting pairs, 181 fledged
2016 22 nesting pairs, 113 fledged
2015 20 nesting pairs, 91 fledged
2014 10 nesting pairs, 49 fledged
2013 4 nesting pairs, 15 fledged
2012 Lots of lookers but no nesters
2017 38 nesting pairs, 181 fledged
2016 22 nesting pairs, 113 fledged
2015 20 nesting pairs, 91 fledged
2014 10 nesting pairs, 49 fledged
2013 4 nesting pairs, 15 fledged
2012 Lots of lookers but no nesters
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Ravens5281
- Posts: 159
- Joined: Mon Jun 27, 2016 10:14 pm
- Location: Seymour, Indiana
- Martin Colony History: PMCA Member:
Name: Stu Silver III
Begin trying to start a Colony since 2014
Had 2 Martins Visitors stop by (2014)
(2015) 2 Martins Visitors passed through
(2016) 35 Days that Martins Visitors/Stopped by but didn't nest
I'm like u & like it to look new!! They say to wax it before every season!! I wish there was a way to get it shinny again
PMCA Member: From Seymour, Indiana
Name: Stu Silver III
Begin trying to start a Colony since 2014
Had 2 Martins Visitors stop by (2014)
(2015) 2 Martins Visitors passed through
(2016) 35 Days that Martins Visitors/Stopped by but didn't nest
Name: Stu Silver III
Begin trying to start a Colony since 2014
Had 2 Martins Visitors stop by (2014)
(2015) 2 Martins Visitors passed through
(2016) 35 Days that Martins Visitors/Stopped by but didn't nest
You could always sand it using a high grit sand paper in an orbital sander. Maybe 220 or 320. I have been sanding the aluminum divider walls for a trio castle and a trio granpa and the aluminum shine has come back really nicely. They were heavily oxidized to the point of pitting. They also may products to remove oxidation from aluminum. Typically those are used in marine applications but could probably be used from your t-14 pole.Ravens5281 wrote:I'm like u & like it to look new!! They say to wax it before every season!! I wish there was a way to get it shinny again
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Ravens5281
- Posts: 159
- Joined: Mon Jun 27, 2016 10:14 pm
- Location: Seymour, Indiana
- Martin Colony History: PMCA Member:
Name: Stu Silver III
Begin trying to start a Colony since 2014
Had 2 Martins Visitors stop by (2014)
(2015) 2 Martins Visitors passed through
(2016) 35 Days that Martins Visitors/Stopped by but didn't nest
Ok thanks Evan337!! I will check into this & I have two 2" square poles! One for a 12 gourds rack & the other is a multi-purpose pole!!
PMCA Member: From Seymour, Indiana
Name: Stu Silver III
Begin trying to start a Colony since 2014
Had 2 Martins Visitors stop by (2014)
(2015) 2 Martins Visitors passed through
(2016) 35 Days that Martins Visitors/Stopped by but didn't nest
Name: Stu Silver III
Begin trying to start a Colony since 2014
Had 2 Martins Visitors stop by (2014)
(2015) 2 Martins Visitors passed through
(2016) 35 Days that Martins Visitors/Stopped by but didn't nest
I would try to find a semi truck wash place and ask them. We have stock trailers washed from them and the spray something on them and rinse off and they look new again, same with tanker truck trailers and cattle haulers. You could go to about any truck stop and find out what it's called just ask them what they use to wash aluminum trailers. You can also google it and find all kinds of cleaner.
joe
2015 8 pair
2016 35 pair
2017 55 pair
2018 57 pair
2019 58 pair
2020 58 pair
2015 8 pair
2016 35 pair
2017 55 pair
2018 57 pair
2019 58 pair
2020 58 pair
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DickRose
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Tue Jun 14, 2016 8:36 am
- Location: Orange Beach, Al
- Martin Colony History: 2016 - built a birdschoice 12 and mounted it June 16/ 2016 ....Hopeful.
If you know an hv/ac guy you could ask him where to buy coil cleaner. I have seen some in use and it was so simple and very effective. The guy sprayed it on with a spray bottle ( similar to windex type) ,it foamed up a little then he rinsed it off with a garden hose and it looked shiny and new again. Awesome stuff.
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Dan G
- Posts: 446
- Joined: Thu Jun 12, 2014 7:52 pm
- Location: PA/Bellefonte
- Martin Colony History: Several colonies with in 6 mile radius.
Have had visitor every year 2014-24.
Two large trees removed in fall 2024 and moved T-14 to a more open location.
2025- 1 SY pair. Fledged 2.
2026- no pairs. One daily SYM here daily. Named him Riggs!
I think as kids, we used to mix a little salt with vinegar to make an old penny shiny again. not sure if this would work on aluminum. Spot check it perhaps.
Bellefonte PA
2014, 1st year-a few lookers, no nests
2015-23. Visitors each year. But no pairs.
2024- most active year. 2-4 SY male’s hang out most days.
2025, 1 SY pair. 2 eggs, 2 fledged!! Other martins visited daily.
Still eliminating starlings and sparrows.
2014, 1st year-a few lookers, no nests
2015-23. Visitors each year. But no pairs.
2024- most active year. 2-4 SY male’s hang out most days.
2025, 1 SY pair. 2 eggs, 2 fledged!! Other martins visited daily.
Still eliminating starlings and sparrows.
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M.Stephens
- Posts: 1130
- Joined: Tue Apr 07, 2009 3:14 pm
- Location: Texas/Texarkana
I suggest a metal polish such as never dull. I believe you can purchase it in a can at Walmart. 
Malcolm
2015 (110 nesting pair)
2014 (92 nesting pair)
2013 (75 nesting pair)
2012 (35 nesting pair)
2011 (20 pair)
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PMCA Member
2015 (110 nesting pair)
2014 (92 nesting pair)
2013 (75 nesting pair)
2012 (35 nesting pair)
2011 (20 pair)
____________
PMCA Member