Topic: polishing

[TheBigCB]

Alright so I've polished before but it wasn't seriously and it didn't look too bad either but I'm going to start a bike soon and want to polish somethings.   And I want a mirror finish so that brings me to my question what type or types of polishing wheels and compound do you suggest. I want the pieces that I'm going to polish to be immaculate and I'm willing to work for it.

[Stev-o]

I love polished aluminum too, it is an art. 

Here is the best website for info on exactly what to do and to purchase supplies...

http://www.caswellplating.com/buffman.htm

[TheBigCB]

Thanks that helps tremendously can' wait to try it all out.

[srbakker]

I like their denim wheels for fast cutting compounds and flannel or linen wheels for anything with a higher polish.

[xnoahx]

I spent some time on my forks and since they were kinda weathered I had to sand them down first using progressively finer grit from about 220-400-600-800-1200 and then onto a bench grinder with a stiched buff and red compound to a loose buff with white compound for the final polish.  They turned out way better than they started but I think I needed to spend more time sanding them.  Overall very happy I did it and I want to do the rest of the covers on the bike now.  I did also do the levers and the front brake caliper arm and since they were much smaller turned out much better.  Its tons of fun.

[thomellis]

I like the Caswell products as well.  Just be careful, it can get addicting, and before you know it you're polishing everything you can get your hands on ;P

[ncstatecamp]

So reading caswell they said aluminum should stop at white compound but all the green compound labels say that they (green) are the final stage. Anybody care to elaborate?

I only ask bc I just polished all my covers and I swear I thought it got duller from white to green...

Any good liquid products to use after it's been polished? Also I hear you can clear powder-coat over the polish and it'll last for years.

[thomellis]

There's a lot of threads on polishing here, various thoughts.  I've always been told you should only use the green for stainless steel, so I've always stopped at white.  There is one product a lot of people use for adding that final shine, it comes in a tube, but for the life of me can't remember it right now.  You could also use something like Mother's aluminum polish.

I don't know about powdercoating, so can't speak to that.  I have heard of people doing a clear coat over it, but eventually that clear coat will get foggy/off color.  Plus you can never go back and touch it up, so I personally prefer to touch up the polishing from time to time.  Personal preference I guess.

[TheBigCB]

Does anybody use caswellplating.com because I've created 3 different accounts and emailed them and they have supplied a new password and still nothing. 

[thomellis]

Granted it was like a year ago, but that's how I ordered my wheels.

[Spike]

There is one product a lot of people use for adding that final shine, it comes in a tube, but for the life of me can't remember it right now.  You could also use something like Mother's aluminum polish.

The stuff in the tube is "Flitz".  This stuff is like magic.
Mothers Mag and Aluminum Polish in the small can is pretty good as well.

[ncstatecamp]

when using the creams should that be done by and or with a wheel?