Aluminum Toe Rail

[kdshutler]

My aluminum toe rail has a number of chips and scratches. The anodized aluminum is impossible to remove by sanding. It is currently at a marina in the water, so sand blasting is out of the question. I have researched this extensively on line and sodium hydroxide found in drano or oven cleaners. would that eat the fiberglass? Isn't there a primer out there that will stick to bare and anodized aluminum? One of the men at the marina thinks there is, but he can't remember who the manufacturer is.

[SkiprJohn]

Muriatic acid will clean up your aluminum but I don't think you really want to remove anodizing as it really is a good protective coat. You can paint it with a zinc chromate paint to protect it.
Muriatic acid is a swimming pool cleaner and sold in most hardware stores. Be careful with it.
kind regards,