June 12th

We started off the day by testing the different grades of sandpaper we picked up from Home Depot to clean the aluminum frame. We tried grades from 60- 600-grit. Even the finest grade sandpaper scratched the surface more than what we were hoping. In addition, we noticed the metal is pitted as a result of the corrosion. In search of a solution, research was done to determine the most efficient way to clean the aluminum of the aluminum oxide. We made a Lowe's and Ace Hardware run to get cleaner and polisher for the telescope frame. We picked up Loctite's rust dissolver, aluminum jelly, and two kinds of metal polisher that clean and polish. We brought a miscellaneous piece of the frame into the lab for testing. We tried all the various combinations or the two cleaners and the two polishes and found that they all work fairly decently when used together. Larger quantities of the chemicals will be ordered and as soon as the telescope is moved. We are also looking into getting an electric pressure washer to clean the frame before and after using the cleaner and polish. We need electric run to the site eventually, but we might be able to get away with running an extension cord to the site for now. We also need to get hoses for the pressure washer and plywood to cover the platform frame.