Topic: Polishing/Grinding

[qw3rtie]

My question is in regards to how people on this forum generally polish or grind their engine parts to make them look new again. I know that wet sanding towards the end gives it a nice smooth look but for the more aggressive grinding what do you use? I find it hard to imagine everyone using sheets of sandpaper going over every part of the engine. Do people use angle grinders with steel brush attachments? any help or pointing me in the right direction would be great. Thanks!

[krusty]

I would not go anywhere near ally parts with a grinder. My procedure would be to clean off any grime then glass bead blast the surface. Any scratches would need to be worked out with a file or wet/dry paper depending on how severe. Next would be to use wet/dry progressing to a finer grade until surface is smooth. Next I use a linen buffer (fitted to bench grinder) with buffing soap. There are a few grades of soap so keep going until you get the desired finish. If this sounds like too much work then there are professional metal polishers that can do it.

[qw3rtie]

thanks. would using a soda blaster be effective as well? i know for stuff like the frame sand blasting makes sense but would soda be safe on the aluminum and help clear up some of the grime? and any recommendation on an air compressor or tank size to do stuff like this at home

[BobbyR]

What you are trying to do is remove the white oxide if you have any. Once you are through that layer there will still be some dark staining in some areas. That is what you have to sand through or it will never look right. You can use a palm sander which works well and saves your hand and time. The final work is done with buffing wheels you can chuck into a drill. Wear a mask the dust and the buffing rouge is very irritating.   

[mono]

3M makes radial bristle discs for polishing motors.  I have had great success with them and they are not too aggressive. The 220 grit  strips off paint and oxide quite well, and the 400 grit leaves a nice satin finish afterwards. From there I move to Tripoli and then Rouge.

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2

[qw3rtie]

thanks for the advice everyone. just more and more reasons to love this forum!