How do I polish aluminum?
09-15-2004, 08:18 AM
#11
Originally Posted by WhiteS2k,Sep 15 2004, 07:39 AM
I do have a drill. But it is not so much the cost of the buffing wheel, it is that the aluminum object is not that large and may be difficult to hold against the buffing wheel. But I will definitely think about it. Should I try to hold the object stationary and then move the drill+buffing wheel around or should I hold the drill+buffing wheel stationary and move the object around? Also do you have any recommentation for a polishing compound?
I sanded the damaged spot last night with 1500 grit wet/dry sandpaper (wet, of course). And I discovered that the aluminum surface was originally coated. So I ended up sanding the whole object just to remove the coating from the rest of it. Now the object is smooth (mostly) with some sanding marks. It is not shiny, but sort of a muted shine to it.
Any recommendation for replacing the coating to protect the finish on aluminum?
I sanded the damaged spot last night with 1500 grit wet/dry sandpaper (wet, of course). And I discovered that the aluminum surface was originally coated. So I ended up sanding the whole object just to remove the coating from the rest of it. Now the object is smooth (mostly) with some sanding marks. It is not shiny, but sort of a muted shine to it.
Any recommendation for replacing the coating to protect the finish on aluminum?
You can hold the item or hold the drill. Both ways it's a real juggling act but that is what I did with the fuel rail.
09-15-2004, 11:20 AM
#12
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When I had polished aluminum wheels on my truck 
, I got some stuff from a real truck stop call White Rabbit. It is fabulous and can be used by hand. It won't be as "perfect" as when I compound and buff using my drill, but it does a damn good job nonetheless. I just rub it in like I was spit-shining my boots all over again.. Don't freak out when the cloth you are using turns black... that's normal with any metal polish.
, I got some stuff from a real truck stop call White Rabbit. It is fabulous and can be used by hand. It won't be as "perfect" as when I compound and buff using my drill, but it does a damn good job nonetheless. I just rub it in like I was spit-shining my boots all over again.. Don't freak out when the cloth you are using turns black... that's normal with any metal polish.
09-16-2004, 10:31 AM
#13
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Originally Posted by FF2Skip,Sep 15 2004, 11:20 AM
When I had polished aluminum wheels on my truck , I got some stuff from a real truck stop call White Rabbit. It is fabulous and can be used by hand. It won't be as "perfect" as when I compound and buff using my drill, but it does a damn good job nonetheless. I just rub it in like I was spit-shining my boots all over again.. Don't freak out when the cloth you are using turns black... that's normal with any metal polish.
, I got some stuff from a real truck stop call White Rabbit. It is fabulous and can be used by hand. It won't be as "perfect" as when I compound and buff using my drill, but it does a damn good job nonetheless. I just rub it in like I was spit-shining my boots all over again.. Don't freak out when the cloth you are using turns black... that's normal with any metal polish.
09-16-2004, 12:54 PM
#14
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Originally Posted by FF2Skip,Sep 15 2004, 02:20 PM
When I had polished aluminum wheels on my truck , I got some stuff from a real truck stop call White Rabbit. It is fabulous and can be used by hand. It won't be as "perfect" as when I compound and buff using my drill, but it does a damn good job nonetheless. I just rub it in like I was spit-shining my boots all over again.. Don't freak out when the cloth you are using turns black... that's normal with any metal polish.
, I got some stuff from a real truck stop call White Rabbit. It is fabulous and can be used by hand. It won't be as "perfect" as when I compound and buff using my drill, but it does a damn good job nonetheless. I just rub it in like I was spit-shining my boots all over again.. Don't freak out when the cloth you are using turns black... that's normal with any metal polish.Right now I'm using my drill and attachment to polish smooth the Comptech aftercooler. When I finish that, touch ups will be with this product.
09-16-2004, 05:37 PM
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Originally Posted by forpointsex,Sep 16 2004, 04:29 PM
Mothers aluminum polish works pretty good. I use it on my Harley.
But do you know if the Mothers polish requires a buffing wheel to apply it or can it be effective just hand polishing?After just two days sitting around since I sanded it, I noticed that the finish is already getting dull. It definitely needs some kind of coating to protect the aluminum after it is polished.
Thanks, everyone for all the help.
09-17-2004, 07:57 AM
#17
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Originally Posted by WhiteS2k,Sep 16 2004, 08:37 PM
After just two days sitting around since I sanded it, I noticed that the finish is already getting dull. It definitely needs some kind of coating to protect the aluminum after it is polished.
Thanks, everyone for all the help.
Thanks, everyone for all the help.
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