I remove my aluminum auto wheels from my cars once a year to clean them thoroughly and then apply a coat of paste wax on the inside and outside surfaces. Paste wax inhibits corrosion where there is no paint or where there's a chip, it helps protect the paint, and it makes them easier to clean. These wheels still look great at 15 - 16 years old.
You too could apply paste wax to surfaces that you are concerned about - like the aluminum gearbox - to protect the surface. Purpose-made automotive wash soaps will leave the wax in place if you need to wash the surface with soap before you apply another coat of wax. Things like screw heads could be coated in a thin layer of wax by painting on a mixture of mineral spirits and dissolved wax.
Glen
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