What do you all use for cleaning the aluminium trim on the side steps, mine look terrible at the minute

Try something like brasso if you have that to hand or for a decent dedicated product, get yourself the Britemax metal Twins (one polishes, one seals). Autosol will also do the job  ON THE WAY: BMW F21 M140i
MERCEDES GL350 - Metallic Navy Blue w/Grey interior

GOING: BMW F31 335D MSport+ xDrive Touring
GONE: Land Rover Discovery 4 HSE - Stornaway Grey w/Black Interior (wish we'd kept it )
GONE: BMW F10 520D MSport - Carbon Black
GONE:MY12 RRS SDV6 HSE Sumatra/Ivory/Grand Black Privacy glass

Cheers for that I'll give it a bash tomorrow

If they look dull because of harsh chemicals tainting the aluminium, use autosol and some 00 wire wool, both available in halfords MY10 HSE 3.0 TDV6 : Santorini Black : Ebony Interior w/Anigre wood : Privacy Glass (total) : Sunroof : Sidesteps : Hybrid TV : Detachable Tow Kit : Spare Wheel Cover : 22" Dished Supersports

I've also used autosol paste with a small sponge though as I didn't want to risk scratching the aluminium. Works amazingly well highly recommended, also I find it stays cleaner for longer if I use car wax after I wash it just adds a layer of protection really.

Looks like its autosol tomorrow then from halfrauds

Cleaned mine up a few weeks ago with solvol and a scotchbrite pad. Looked good until they started salting the roads, now they look sh*te again . Thinking of getting the alloy bit cleaned up and powdercoated to prolong them a bit
Paul Current fleet
2011 Discovery 3.0 sdv6 XS
2008 Range rover sport HST tdv8*gone*
2000 Porsche 911 Carrera 2 convertible
1996 TVR Chimaera*gone*
2004 Vauxhall combo van*dead*
2003 ford ranger double cab

Think that's my problem, just done a 500mile round trip. Whole car looked terrible afterwards

You could also try coating them once polished with either Finish Kare 1000P or Collinite 845, both very durable wax/sealants.
Should keep them from deteriorating so quick  ON THE WAY: BMW F21 M140i
MERCEDES GL350 - Metallic Navy Blue w/Grey interior

GOING: BMW F31 335D MSport+ xDrive Touring
GONE: Land Rover Discovery 4 HSE - Stornaway Grey w/Black Interior (wish we'd kept it )
GONE: BMW F10 520D MSport - Carbon Black
GONE:MY12 RRS SDV6 HSE Sumatra/Ivory/Grand Black Privacy glass

Scotchbrite pad and some cheap car shampoo brings them up like new.

Got some Autosol today just as I got home heavens opened

I cleaned an old set of steps that where badly tarnished with the dremel and some metal polish. That is a bit ott but if there really bad that works.

A descent set can be kept clean easily by using the scotchbrite.

Just did mine at the weekend, they were starting to look really corroded and letting the car down after a clean

I just used what I had to hand that I use on my motorbike. So a good rub down with autosol brought them up like new again. Then I coated the whole step in ACF50 that I put on my bike through winter

http://www.corrosionblock.co.uk/

Im hoping now the steps wont need another polish up for at least another year..... cheers
bogie

2020 RRS 3.0 HST
2008 RRS 4.2V8 HST

Coated the aluminium bit on mine with ACF50 in Oct 2013. They are now just beginning to look as though they need another polish and coating. To be fair it wasn't used between Jan and March 2014 but still impressive performance. Before I used it I was polishing them every 2-3 weeks

I use metal polish and then coat with Armor All Shield Liquid Car Wax.