GRAY PIPES

Q: My T-top supports have turned gray. They are made from aluminum. Can I make them shiny silver again?

Dean Paris Apalachicola, Florida

A: Maybe. Aluminum can be polished, going up through the grits until shiny silver. However, getting that result so that it looks even—and so your round pipework doesn’t look faceted—can take experience.

Also, keeping it bright silver is a tough job. Aluminum oxidizes and creates its own protective coating. That’s the gray that you dislike.

There’s a reason the US Coast Guard’s 47 MLB is left to go gray: Maintenance is minimal. But if you want it shiny or to have it powder-coated in a color, I suggest hiring a pro.