Topic: Polishing tools

[theslayedsaint]

Hey guys. I've got a raw aluminum gas tank I'm trying to polish up, right now I'm just on 220 sand paper and I'll work my way up to 1800-2000 but after that I'm wondering what people use for rotary polisher? I was thinking about getting a Makita but there just a little expense for a tool I won't use to much. But has anyone used one before and have any thoughts on it or one like it. Also are people cleaner coating the button of there raw tanks?   

[riverfever]

I just started another piece on my project (the breather cover). Every time I start a new piece I forget how much work it is. I wish I didn't like the end result so much. I usually wet sand up to about 1200 and then start buffing with two different compounds. I use a bench grinder that belonged to my father in-law. It is not a 3/4hp grinder but it does a nice job. I have not used an angle grinder yet because I prefer to hold the piece I'm working on and not have to worry about the angle grinder kicking it away but I know of people that have had nice results doing it that way.

[CycleRanger]

Yeah, buffing is no fun.  Messy too.

I use this:  (Along with wet sanding etc.)
http://www.harborfreight.com/power-tools/grinders-buffers/8-inch-bench-grinder-buffer-94327.html

A bit under powered but works well when used with decent buffing wheels and compound.
I did this with it: