...

Go Back   Lateral-g Forums > Technical Discussions > Paint and Body
User Name
Password



Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 12-05-2011, 02:46 AM
Lenie's Avatar
Lenie Lenie is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,516
Thanks: 8
Thanked 35 Times in 18 Posts
Default How to polish machined raw aluminum?

So I've sanded w/ 200, 400, 600, 800, 1000 and 1500 grit paper then polished with white stick and cordless drill/cotton wheel. Not getting scratches completely out nor the luster I'm looking for. Any helpful hints out there? Maybe something w/more speed then cordless drill? What are the best color compound sticks to use? Do I need to go even further w/finer grit sandpaper? What do they use to accomplish this on the billet wheels after machining?
Thanks
__________________
Lenie
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 12-05-2011, 07:00 AM
makoshark makoshark is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Byhalia, MS
Posts: 725
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

What exactly are you working on? The first thing I noticed you are doing wrong is you used paper below 400 grit. Aluminum is soft and doesn't need anything softer than that. Are you wet sanding or dry sanding? If your dry sanding, then stop doing that and start wet sanding it. Also, your not going to be able achieve a good shine with just a drill. You need a dedicated buffer or converted bench grinder using Tripoli compound and a spiral buffing wheel. I would start back over and wet sand it with 400 till I saw nothing but the 400 grit scratches and then work my way up to either 800 or 1000. You could actually stop around 600 if you have a good buffing machine. The Tripoli compound will remove a lot of scratches. You can follow that up, for color, with some white rouge and a soft buffing wheel or Mother's Billet polish
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 12-05-2011, 08:22 AM
ccracin's Avatar
ccracin ccracin is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Rostraver, PA
Posts: 2,067
Thanks: 0
Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by makoshark View Post
What exactly are you working on? The first thing I noticed you are doing wrong is you used paper below 400 grit. Aluminum is soft and doesn't need anything softer than that. Are you wet sanding or dry sanding? If your dry sanding, then stop doing that and start wet sanding it. Also, your not going to be able achieve a good shine with just a drill. You need a dedicated buffer or converted bench grinder using Tripoli compound and a spiral buffing wheel. I would start back over and wet sand it with 400 till I saw nothing but the 400 grit scratches and then work my way up to either 800 or 1000. You could actually stop around 600 if you have a good buffing machine. The Tripoli compound will remove a lot of scratches. You can follow that up, for color, with some white rouge and a soft buffing wheel or Mother's Billet polish
There are a lot of home recipes for different rouges, but what Mako said will work fine. Especially the part about not using courser than 400 Grit and get a higher Speed/Hp buffer.
__________________
Chad
Instagram - @cctek
https://https://www.facebook.com/CCTek

68 Chevy Pickup Project
Build Thread: https://lateral-g.net/forums/showthread.php4?t=7505

THANKS TO: A&M Machine and Fabrication, CCTek (http://www.candctek.com), Hermance Design(www.hermancedesign.com), Paradise Road Rod & Custom, Harry Opfer Welding, Wegner Automotive Research, Clayton Machine Works
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 12-05-2011, 09:08 AM
elitecustombody's Avatar
elitecustombody elitecustombody is offline
Supporting Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Jacksonville Florida
Posts: 1,126
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

I don't use anything finer past 320 or 400 grit or wetsand. Brown tripoly and a powerful enough buffer. You will not get high luster from a drill,you need something much higher RPM's,stiffer wheel and right tripoly stick.Here are some pics of polish work I did on my daily driver couple years ago







__________________
Stefan B. Do what's right,not what's easy!

Elite Custom Body


1998 Supra APU 6spd
2007 TBSS
1998 GS400TT widebody
1969 Firebird
1979 Firebird LS3,DSE,Baer
1938 Dodge LC pickup
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 12-05-2011, 01:15 PM
Lenie's Avatar
Lenie Lenie is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,516
Thanks: 8
Thanked 35 Times in 18 Posts
Default

Thanks guys, I have been wet sanding up to 1500 removing all heavier scratches w/tripoli. From what I'm reading, I need to invest in a true high speed buffer. Thanks again, I was starting to get a little frustrated w/lack of mirror shine.
__________________
Lenie
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 12-05-2011, 03:04 PM
elitecustombody's Avatar
elitecustombody elitecustombody is offline
Supporting Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Jacksonville Florida
Posts: 1,126
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

Lenie, if you're trying to do this by hand tools, look into Adam's Polish. I've seen very impressive results,but it just takes forever. Spend couple of bucks on a good freestanding buffer,pads and some sticks and you'll be in business.
__________________
Stefan B. Do what's right,not what's easy!

Elite Custom Body


1998 Supra APU 6spd
2007 TBSS
1998 GS400TT widebody
1969 Firebird
1979 Firebird LS3,DSE,Baer
1938 Dodge LC pickup
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:36 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright Lateral-g.net