How to Polish Aircraft Aluminum with the One-Step Brightwork Combo

By the Fly Shiny team · 15 years of professional aircraft detailing

Quick answer: Put 4 drops of Striker and 1 spray of Maverick on a Grant's 5 in. Universal Heavy Cut Microfiber Pad, mounted on a 5-inch backing plate on a cordless dual-action polisher. Work it over the aluminum until the polish goes clear, wipe it down, and repeat until the oxidation, scratches, and water spots are gone and the metal is reflective.

Here's why the combination works and how to run it pass by pass.

What You'll Need

• Fly Shiny One-Step Brightwork Combo (Striker + Maverick)
• A dual-action polisher — we use a FLEX cordless model, battery powered
• A 5-inch backing plate
• Grant's 5 in. Universal Heavy Cut Microfiber Pad (Harbor Freight)
• Clean microfiber wipe-down towels

Why Striker and Maverick Work Together

Striker is the cutting step. It's built with abrasives that physically remove imperfections — oxidation, light scratches, and etched water spots — from the aluminum surface.

Maverick finishes what Striker starts. It combines chemical additives that continue breaking down oxidation and staining with fine abrasives that refine the surface — taking it from "clean" to a genuinely reflective, deep-gloss, clear finish.

Used together on the same pad, one pass does the cutting and the finishing in a single step — which is where the combo gets its name.

How to Polish Aluminum with the One-Step Brightwork Combo

Step 1: Load the pad

Mount the Grant's microfiber pad to your 5-inch backing plate. Apply 4 drops of Striker and 1 spray of Maverick directly onto the pad.

Step 2: Spread it before you power on

Spread the product across the pad at low speed or by hand before opening up the polisher — this keeps it from flinging off the aluminum on first contact.

Step 3: Work the section

Polish the aluminum, working a manageable section at a time, until the product goes clear and breaks down — that's your sign it's finished cutting.

Step 4: Wipe and inspect

Wipe the section down with a clean microfiber towel and check your work in good light. Water spots and light oxidation often clear in one pass; heavier oxidation and deeper scratches may need more.

Step 5: Repeat as needed

Reload the pad with the same 4-drops-Striker, 1-spray-Maverick ratio and repeat over the same section until you've got the level of gloss and clarity you're after.

One-Step Brightwork Combo FAQ

What does the One-Step Brightwork Combo remove?

Oxidation, light-to-moderate scratches, and etched water spots on aircraft aluminum, finishing with a reflective, high-gloss result.

How much Striker and Maverick do I use per pad?

4 drops of Striker and 1 spray of Maverick on the pad per application.

What pad and machine should I use?

A Grant's 5 in. Universal Heavy Cut Microfiber Pad on a 5-inch backing plate, run on a cordless dual-action polisher such as a FLEX battery-powered model.

How do I know when to stop polishing a section?

When the product breaks down and goes clear on the pad. Wipe, inspect in good light, and repeat the same section if oxidation or scratches remain.

Do I need heavier compounds first for badly oxidized aluminum?

For severe oxidation, start with Top Cut, then Striker, then finish with Maverick or Reflection — see the Complete Brightwork Polishing System for the full four-stage process. The One-Step Combo is built for lighter, routine oxidation and maintenance polishing.

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About Fly Shiny: Fly Shiny makes aviation-grade detailing chemicals formulated from 15 years of professional aircraft detailing experience. The One-Step Brightwork Combo is available at flyshiny.com.