Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 2,111
Bikes: Trek 800 x 2, Schwinn Heavy Duti, Schwinn Traveler, Schwinn Le Tour Luxe, Schwinn Continental, Cannondale M400 and Lambert, Schwinn Super Sport
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I have used EZ-Off with good result, however, that is because I sanded the heck out of it. Anodized aluminum is tough stuff. It is aluminum oxide, the same stuff as on some sandpapers. So, the good thing about anodizing is that it is a tough and durable surface. The bad thing is that anodized aluminum is not as pretty as polished aluminum.
And you are probably looking for the polished aluminum look.
They are also right in that once polished, you have to keep at it to keep it looking good. Waxing the parts, I have found, will help it last a little longer, depending upon the storage conditions.
For vintage bikes, I prefer the polished look, because this is the way bike were in the '70's and much of the '80's. By the mid '80's there were more black anodized or painted parts on bikes. Please correct me here because I am not an expert at when this change occurred.
The bottom line is that it is completely do-able.