Topic: Where to buy an aluminum polishing kit?

[cleveland]

I seem to remember someone saying they got one for $20.  I have found a few on the net for $40+. 

Anyone get one from a local store?  If so, where?

Thanks, Bobby

[BobbyR]

You can get the rouge sticks at Sears or other places. Get a couple of buffing wheels that attach to an electric drill and you have everything you need.

[mrbreeze]

Harbor Freight....$20.

[cleveland]

I found this one there:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=94962

I am looking for the one that works with a bench wheel. 

[cleveland]

I just talked to them and they said they have larger wheels I can buy seperatly.  Anyone know if I need a special kind of wheel.  I remember reading somewhere there was a speacial name for the 2 differenct wheels. 

[6pkrunner]

I've tried several kits from a few manufacturers over the years. Different hardness wheels and different grain rouge sticks and liquids. I have had the same success with wet sandpaper ending at 1200-1500 wet grit and one of the easily located metal polishes at most automotive shops and using a medium stiffness buffing wheel. After several uses the medium wheel softens and you can then use it as your almost-finished wheel. You can achieve a chrome luster very easily - to easily if you're not wanting the high gloss finish and drift off in la-la land for a few seconds.. And as most things practice makes one better. The only headache I have found is that the polish leaves a residue in the metal which negates the possibility of clear coating the pieces. However a quick hand buff once a week or so keeps the corrosion from starting and keeps the shine.

Anyone have a solution of how to remove the metal polish completely without affecting the luster? The methods  have tried have taken over half the shine from the metal to remove the polish completely. However on the pro side - the polish residue does act as a protector of sorts.

[Steve F]

Anyone have a solution of how to remove the metal polish completely without affecting the luster? The methods  have tried have taken over half the shine from the metal to remove the polish completely. However on the pro side - the polish residue does act as a protector of sorts.

Since I have found that the polishing compounds are like a wax based compound, they're easily removed with acetone or MEK.  Somewhat powerful solvents, so be careful.  That will also tend to leave streaks so I folow up with glass cleaner and a lint free cloth before clear coating.

[cleveland]

What do you "clear coat" with?

[Steve F]

What do you "clear coat" with?

Funny you should ask.  I'm still "playing" around with a few things in the rattle-can category.  First I tried clear acrylic, and that was the worst thing I've ever done.  Dries hard and fast, which is the first clue it's no good, and then it cracks after about a year, so you have to re-do it.  I tried some enamel-type clear that I found at a hobby shop.  Stuff yellowed.  Lastly, I've been using the polyurethane clear "wheel paint" by Duplicolor.  That stuff is like spraying water, and it goes on so quick, that before you know it, you have a run.  It holds up well, doesn't yellow (yet) and so-far-so-good.  Only problem I've noticed after I sprayed the brake calipers......it's not brake fluid proof.  But then, what is?
Maybe there's an epoxy based clear out there somewhere 

[cleveland]

I've been reading that the biggest issue is getting the clear coat to stick.  Once you have polished the aluminum down to a shine, the surface is not rough enough for the clear coat to grab ahold of.

[Steve F]

I've polished and cleared a bunch of the aluminum parts, and it hasn't shown any signs of peeling yet, and that's been almost 4 years now....

[BobbyR]

For the shiny covers no clear coat is needed. I have seen post after post about yellowing. Once you have a shine, a quick rub with some Mothers or never dull and they stay beautiful. That motor get a lot hotter than a car hood.

[mrbreeze]

Polishing sucks but I prefer it to stripping old clear coat and starting over.