To repair scratches or oxidation problems on the surface of an aluminum box, you must first accurately assess the extent and type of damage. For minor scratches, only the surface coating or oxide film is damaged, and the aluminum substrate is not touched; while deeper scratches may have penetrated the coating and even left dents on the aluminum surface. Oxidation phenomena are divided into minor surface whitening, darkening, and severe flaky corrosion. Through careful observation and touch, the depth of the scratch and the range of oxidation can be judged to provide a basis for subsequent repair plans.
At the same time, it is also necessary to confirm the surface treatment process of the aluminum box, such as anodizing, electrophoretic coating or spraying, etc. Different processes correspond to different repair methods.
For minor scratches, if the surface of the aluminum box is anodized, it can be repaired by polishing. Prepare ultra-fine sandpaper (2000 mesh or more), soak the sandpaper, and gently polish the scratches in a circular motion. The action should be gentle to avoid expanding the scratch area. After polishing, use polishing paste and soft cloth to further eliminate scratch marks and restore surface gloss. If the aluminum box is sprayed or electrophoretically coated, you can use a touch-up paint pen of the same color to repair it. First clean the scratched area to remove dust and oil, then apply the touch-up paint pen evenly to the scratch. After the paint is dry, use fine sandpaper to lightly polish it to make a smooth transition between the repaired area and the surrounding surface.
When the scratch is deep, simple polishing or touch-up is difficult to achieve the desired effect, and it needs to be filled and repaired. For scratches with a depth of no more than 1 mm, atomic putty can be used for filling. First, mix the atomic putty and curing agent in proportion, and use a scraper to fill the mixed atomic putty into the scratch, ensuring that it is filled solid and slightly higher than the surface. After the atomic putty is dried and cured (usually 1-2 hours), use sandpaper to gradually polish from coarse to fine (800 mesh - 2000 mesh) until the surface is flat and smooth. After polishing, spray, anodize or other surface treatments are performed according to the original surface treatment process of the aluminum box to make the repaired area consistent with the overall appearance.
If the surface of the aluminum box is oxidized, mild oxidation can be cleaned with a mild detergent. Dilute the neutral detergent with water in a ratio of 1:10, dip a soft cloth in the solution and gently wipe the oxidized part to remove the surface oxide. After cleaning, rinse with clean water and wipe dry in time to prevent secondary oxidation. For more serious oxidation, you can use a special aluminum oxidation remover, but be careful to strictly follow the product instructions to avoid the remover from contacting the surface of the aluminum box for a long time and corroding the substrate. After removing the oxide layer, the aluminum box also needs to be treated with subsequent protective treatment, such as re-anodizing or spraying a protective film.
After the repair is completed, in order to enhance the protective performance of the aluminum box surface and prevent scratches or oxidation from occurring again, the protective coating can be supplemented. If it is an anodized aluminum box, a layer of transparent protective wax can be applied on the surface, and a soft cloth can be used to wipe it evenly to form a protective film, which can not only improve the glossiness, but also play a certain role in scratch and oxidation prevention. For sprayed aluminum boxes, a layer of varnish can be sprayed to increase the coating thickness and wear resistance. In addition, you can also choose to stick a transparent protective film, such as PVC film or PET film, to provide a physical protective barrier for the surface of the aluminum box.
In addition to repair and protection, maintenance in daily use is also crucial for the maintenance of aluminum boxes. During use, avoid contact between the aluminum box and sharp objects, and try to store them separately to prevent scratches from each other. Clean the aluminum box regularly, wipe the surface with a soft damp cloth to remove dust and stains, and keep the surface clean and dry. For aluminum boxes that are not used for a long time, they should be stored in a dry and ventilated environment to avoid erosion by moisture and corrosive gases.
The best way to prevent scratches and oxidation on the surface of aluminum boxes is to control them from the source. When choosing an aluminum box, give priority to products with excellent surface treatment technology and high hardness, such as hard anodized aluminum boxes, whose surface hardness can reach HV300 or more, and the scratch resistance is significantly improved. At the same time, pay attention to standardized operations during use, handle with care, and reduce human damage. Through daily maintenance and proper use, the service life of the aluminum box can be effectively extended and its good appearance and performance can be maintained.
