Topic: Polishing

[Johnny5]

Im looking into the equipment I'll need to polish my valve cover, engine side covers, ect. Im going to get a double wheel (dont know the proper name for the tool) but it'll have a polishing wheel on one side and another on the other. My question is, can I install and very light wire wheel on this side to take out scratches in the metal? Im thinking it might be too harsh. So what can I use to take out scratches? Is sanding the only option?

[unkle fester]

http://caswellplating.com/buffs/index.html

[mystic_1]

That's called a "polishing machine" 

Do NOT use a wire wheel on aluminum.  Aside from anecdotal evidence that steel brushes will embed steel particles into the aluminum which will then rust, there's the fact that wire wheels put IN scratches.  Lots of them.  Very quickly.  You get a crappy finish then because the surface isn't truly flat any more.

A spiral buff with a course compound will remove light scratches.  For deeper scratches, wetsand.  Starting grit for sanding will depend on depth of scratches/gouges, I like to start around 400 and work my way down to 1000 or so.  Then back to the wheel to finish it off.

mystic_1

[Johnny5]

That's called a "polishing machine" 

Do NOT use a wire wheel on aluminum.  Aside from anecdotal evidence that steel brushes will embed steel particles into the aluminum which will then rust, there's the fact that wire wheels put IN scratches.  Lots of them.  Very quickly.  You get a crappy finish then because the surface isn't truly flat any more.

A spiral buff with a course compound will remove light scratches.  For deeper scratches, wetsand.  Starting grit for sanding will depend on depth of scratches/gouges, I like to start around 400 and work my way down to 1000 or so.  Then back to the wheel to finish it off.

mystic_1

Awesome, thanks. Cant wait to start.

[ProTeal55]

If I could swing it I would have ya send the stuff to me here at work to have it polished ->

http://www.BilletSpecialties.com

We have the largest polishing houses in the country !

[Johnny5]

Im really all about doing as much of the work myself when Im able. I like learning and whenever I can get a new tool, then that's a bonus.

Will certainly keep you in mind.

[bunghole]

I've gotten kind of lazy about my polishing and I just go straight to the spiral wheel with emery compound.  I've found that by using some heavy pressure and building up some heat, I can take out all but the worst scratches.  It isn't as perfect as sanding first, but I like the results.

[Really?]

I usually do a 320, 600, 1200, 1500 and then 2000 (all wet).  Then mothers with my dremel and a buffing wheel on it about three times.  To me, it comes out perty darn good and it does not take too long either.

When I have to go back it is 2000 wet and the dremel with mothers and the buffing wheel.

Tried the rouge kit from home depot.  I could not get it to work.  So, I stick to the other way.

[Steve F]

I like using the NORTON BearTex wheels to get everything even and smoothed and remove the scratches.  Then I follow with the red compound ont eh spiral stiched wheel and then the white compound on the linen wheel.

[seaweb11]

Gees, I just strap the neighbors cat to my elect drill and have at er

[Steve F]

Gees, I just strap the neighbors cat to my elect drill and have at er

I thought you wanted to get RID of the scratches    Good use of a cat though!

[Johnny5]

Gees, I just strap the neighbors cat to my elect drill and have at er

I thought you wanted to get RID of the scratches    Good use of a cat though!

Well, you have to declaw the cat first. Vice grips have more uses than just stripped bolts!

[mlinder]

On most aluminum, I go 600 grit sandpaper, then red buffing commpound on a buffing wheel, then white buffing compound. I try not to spend too much time on any one piece. With each piece looking 3 or 4 times better than stock, even imperfect polishing on EVERYTHING looks a lot better than stock.
If there are heavy scratches or a lot of oxidization, I'll use a 350 or 300 grit gently to clear that stuff away first.

This is only an hour or so of polishing. The pictures really dont do the reflectivity justice, actually. The engine looks twice as good in person.

[Really?]

I usually do a 320, 600, 1200, 1500 and then 2000 (all wet).  Then mothers with my dremel and a buffing wheel on it about three times.  To me, it comes out perty darn good and it does not take too long either.

When I have to go back it is 2000 wet and the dremel with mothers and the buffing wheel.

Tried the rouge kit from home depot.  I could not get it to work.  So, I stick to the other way.

The pics below give you and idea of what mine turn out like.  I did not spend a lot of time on them really and did them on the bike.  The polished pic does not give the polish justice but you get the idea between the two.  It was perty nasty before I started on it.  That was 30 minutes after I got it home and toke of the big highway fairing, trunk rack and hiway bars.