Cleaning White Anodized Aluminum

[Deer]

I just emailed Benchmade to see what they recommend. But I figured I would ask here as well.
My prized knife in my collection has silver anodized aluminum scales and they are starting to gather dirt around the high traffic areas. I hardly ever pick this knife up because of this reason and do my best to wash the hell out of my hands before handling.

I usually use Ballistol to clean/protect all of my knives and every metal object I own. Its main ingredient is medicinal grade mineral oil. When I treat my knives with it oils/resins come right off. It is yellowish in color. I have never had any problems with any other knives but they are black or green or some other color that is not a very light almost white silver.

I don't believe it would hurt or darken the color but the main reason I loved this knife was because it is almost white and would really like to maintain its lightness in color. I definitely do not want to F*** this up.

Any recommendations?




You can see the dirt around the axis and high areas/edges.

 

[nhyrum]

Ballistol should be OK. 409 may be another good option, but it won't have the protective properties of the ballistol.

One thing I do with my pistols is soak them in hot water with about a tablespoon of ballistol. Powers off the grime, and actually turns white. It's kind of strange to watch lol

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[Deer]

Iv noticed it turning white in water as well actually. I thought it might of had something to do with the ph (mines around 8) or hardness (around 9/10) of the water since I pump directly from an unfiltered well but honestly have no idea.

 

[Rapt_up]

Try soft rubber eraser (the white kind) it gets bits if graphite off white paper... That said, high grade mineral oil is clear, but I don't know what the other ingredients in ballistic are.

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[knarfeng]

My prized knife in my collection has silver anodized aluminum scales and they are starting to gather dirt around the high traffic areas. I hardly ever pick this knife up because of this reason and do my best to wash the hell out of my hands before handling.

I usually use Ballistol to clean/protect all of my knives and every metal object I own. Its main ingredient is medicinal grade mineral oil. When I treat my knives with it oils/resins come right off. It is yellowish in color. I have never had any problems with any other knives but they are black or green or some other color that is not a very light almost white silver.

Any recommendations?

clear anodized aluminum...

Likely just dirt and oil working into the pores of the anodize finish.

I'd first try a mild solvent such as isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol). It cuts grease pretty well. Might be all you need.

If that does not work, then try washing it using dishwashing liquid soap and very hot water. Something like Joy or Ajax. Nothing real alkaline. Nothing real harsh.

Then dry it, rinse it in ispropyl alcohol to get water out of the innards, then dry it again. Then rinse with WD-40, then dry it, then use whatever oil you usually use.

 

[loonybin]

The anodized layer is tougher than you think. Just use some Dawn with a soft toothbrush, then oil the pivot. Problem solved.