How do you clean annodized aluminum?

[Rhombuss]

I'm building a case using 1/8" clear annodized aluminum plating. Problem is - when I did the holesaw'ing and drilling, some of the aluminum shavings smudged the clear coating. Was wondering how to clean this smudge off?

Thanks,
-Phillip

 

[datallah]

Smudged you say.... I would think "scratched" would be more like the case. If it is smudged, try some surface cleaner like SD-20. If it is scratched.... then you'll have to live with it or get it reanodized... probably not worth it.

 

[daddyo]

Rubbing alcohol also works well on Anodized Aluminum.

Most likely it's scratched though, and getting Al re-anodized is not an easy process. The plater has to strip off the old stuff and redo the whole thing.

 

[Rhombuss]

Hmm...that's probably the case then. Is there any type of coatin I can put over it to protect it further? I find even though the annodizing is supposed to 'protect' it kind of - that aluminum is too soft that it gets a little 'scratched' here and there. Any way to prevent this?