Restoring/Polishing Aluminum Trim

my '63 Fury has large ridged aluminum panels on the rear. I had posted earlier about ideas on replacing some broken retainer studs now working on this. The other panel I'm trying to brighten up before I paint the channels these panels are likely anodized. Reading up on restoring there are a ton of ideas likely good and not so much. Some say it's required to remove the anodized surface to do anything, a few others have talked about ways to improve the finish without removing the anodizing that would be preferred since once you remove it you have to recoat or plan to wax it every other week. One guy talked about brake fluid (doesn't sound wise) and another using WD-40. I reckon I'll try this as sounds safe enough or a penetrating oil. Anyone having done this sort of work would appreciate any tips or advice. Thanks.

If the anodizing is missing anywhere, the correct way to do them...is strip, polish, re-anodize.

From my experience, not replacing the anodizing will not require weekly or monthly polishing of the part to insure that the part stays good. The anodizing was placed on the parts knowing that the cars and parts will be exposed to the elements. These days, the cars are pulled from under the car cover inside the garage and driven in good weather and then pulled back in the garage and covered back up again.
I have done a good bit of aluminum trim restoration and most has not been reanodized as it has been until just recently have I discovered someone who could do the longer pieces over 30 inches in length. Just keep it polished when you wax and detail the car and you will be fine.
In order to properly polish the anodized aluminum, you will need to remove the coating. I have used oven cleaner which will promote the removal process. Then follow up with either very lightly bead blasting with low pressure and very worn material or sanding it to remove any excess. It will look bad at that stage, but as you increase the sanding and polishing, it will return to its original shine. It is a time consuming and dirty process, but anyone with some time and patience can get very good results.

Best way to remove anodizing is use oven cleaner, keep the part wet, don't let the cleaner dry, use a brush once it soaks for a few minutes, repeat until its all gone, then rinse and wash with soap. Did this on my grill trim and headlight bezels, left the bare aluminum and they just get waxed each time I do the rest of the car, and they are still nice and bright and its almost been 4 years since done. Of course its not a daily driver so as 69bfan says, its a garage queen now and only goes out in nice weather!

Most of the info I've read on the net and as mentioned in the posts here recommend removing the anodized coating and some varying preferences on recoating or not. The panels on the Fury are an interesting configuration of 13 channels or ridges about 3/16 wide and deep, 20-inches long. The upper channeling (ridge) is angled and at the bottom of the channels black paint which I'm working on repainting after a whole lot of steady hand masking. Waxing these would be a heady task to avoid getting wax onto the paint I suppose keeping a good supply of Q-tips at hand. Of course the rear is prone to lots of road dust and exhaust smut. Recoating would likely be best if removing the anodized surface. Thanks much for your tips.

Exterior aluminum trim was anodized for a reason,finish protection.You can polish and shine all you want but eventually it will dull and is very easy to scuff,re anodize and don't look back !