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13 hours ago, paulraphael said:

Interesting. I've never pulled off this particular kind of alchemy, even with BKF. Maybe you're actually abrading off the oxidized aluminum on the surface?

Perhaps, but BKF isn't known for abrasiveness.  We have an aluminum ice cream scoop that is dark gray from many times in the dishwasher. I just cleaned it with BKF and it shined again but left a dark spot on the dish rag.  The rag is probably stained for good.  Then I went after it with SOS and it polished a little more, but it's still gray.  Cleaning the pizza pan right out of the dishwasher with BKF was easier. 

Below is the pan and scoop.  Both are easily 25 to 30 years old.

12 hours ago, paulraphael said:

Interesting. I've never pulled off this particular kind of alchemy, even with BKF. Maybe you're actually abrading off the oxidized aluminum on the surface?

Perhaps, but BKF isn't known for abrasiveness.  We have an aluminum ice cream scoop that is dark gray from many times in the dishwasher. I just cleaned it with BKF and it shined again but left a dark spot on the dish rag.  The rag is probably stained for good.  Then I went after it with SOS and it polished a little more, but some gray remains.  Cleaning the pizza pan right out of the dishwasher with BKF was easier. 

Below is the pan and scoop.  Both are easily 25 to 30 years old.

12 hours ago, paulraphael said:

Interesting. I've never pulled off this particular kind of alchemy, even with BKF. Maybe you're actually abrading off the oxidized aluminum on the surface?

Perhaps.  We have an aluminum ice cream scoop that is dark gray from many times in the dishwasher. I just cleaned it with BKF and it shined again but left a dark spot on the dish rag.  The rag is probably stained for good.  Then I went after it with SOS and it polished a little more, but some gray remains.  Cleaning the pizza pan right out of the dishwasher with BKF was easier. 

Below is the pan and scoop.  Both are easily 25 to 30 years old.