Polishing Alum.

[Apex06]

Whats the fastest and best way to do it i have ALOT to do before i get all the stuff to the anodizers!

 

[catmando]

Big surfaces you can use a powerball,everything else,elbow grease!
catmando!

 

[cey800]

Power ball, or find a guy that polishes new semi trucks at dealerships. Other than that, elbow greese.

 

[snotterite]

Send it to a shine detailer the company in cowtown is awesome. To find the best guys call a chopper bike shop ask them where they get their shine done. If it's good enough for them it's over kill for sledders.

 

[rknight111]

#1 rule, do not use any polish that contains silicone, I am in the process of polishing my CR tunnel right now. An old friend of mine Mark works at Carlsons auto body supply on the south side of Edmonton. He will sell you some Evercoat , some 3M Glaze and a Blue bonnet for a polisher. I then polished quite easily then I have now gone over by hand with an ultra fine polish and got it looking like chrome with not a scratch. Wear latex gloves as well and use cloth diapers to polish the final. Then wrap up good and take to the anodizers. Make sure you removed all polish from the holes and crevices. If you use a wax or silicone based polish, If you want a good job I would give up on anodizing or powdercoating the tunnel unless you can clean it very well.

 

[4extreme]

#1 rule, do not use any polish that contains silicone, I am in the process of polishing my CR tunnel right now. An old friend of mine Mark works at Carlsons auto body supply on the south side of Edmonton. He will sell you some 3M Glaze and a Blue bonnet for a polisher. I then polished quite easily then I have now gone over by hand with an ultra fine polish and got it looking like chrome with not a scratch. Wear latex gloves as well and use cloth diapers to polish the final. Then wrap up good and take to the anodizers. Make sure you removed all polish from the holes and crevices. If you use a wax or silicone based polish, If you want a good job I would give up on anodizing or powdercoating the tunnel unless you can clean it very well.

Will this work on Alum. wheels. I got a few scratches in my truck rims. It doesn`t bother me too much but if it will take the scratches out I`ll give it a try.

 

[SLEDBUNNYRACING]

Ron, where did you get the Foam Head for your polisher...I need some of those for my boat?
Please advise?

 

[rknight111]

Ron, where did you get the Foam Head for your polisher...I need some of those for my boat?
Please advise?

Go see Mark at Carlsons on the south side 97 st and just north of 51 ave. Right beside the police department. Let him know I sent you

 

[SLEDBUNNYRACING]

Awesome...and thanks. I will do that before weeks end.
Chers.

Go see Mark at Carlsons on the south side 97 st and just north of 51 ave. Right beside the police department. Let him know I sent you

 

[ZRrrr]

Speedy's metal polish has a good reputation for tunnels...Mothers metal polish as well, and lots of old T-shirts. A lot of guys have used sealers after to keep the shine a lot longer, but you would not want that if gong to get anodized.

Have heard of guys having great success with clay bars for polishing rig wheels and tanks. Guess you would pick that up at truck supply shops.

 

[cat girl]

We used Mothers on our machines, it worked great! That and lots of powerball and elbow grease...my better halfs of course

 

[Caper11]

It Depends on the condition of the aluminum before polishing, if you have heavy oxidation you'll need to wet sand it first with 1000 grit or finer emery. 3m crocas cloth works good too , I use wd-40 not water, and most importantly you must sand, polish and wash the aluminum with the grain, don't go against it! and yes wear latex gloves makes life alot easier.
IMO Jewelers rouge is the best polishing compound around but you'll need a power polisher and an assortment of polishing wheels and compounds, but that depends on the quality of shine you want and the patients you have and most importantly the skill to use these products, because I always wanted a clear mirrored image not a dull polished one.
When I drove truck it used to take me 10 -12 hrs to polish the tanks steps and rims when they were oxidized, I could of done a acid wash on them to remove the oxidation but I always chose not to.
On my sled I just use Autosol on a powerball and a softer finishing polish on the powerball I don't get to fussy because the sled is trailered on a open deck.

 

[boydo]

you guys should try F1 the ultimate metal polish. there is three grades fine,medium and coarse. i use it on everything aluminum, stainless or brass that ive got or polish for others. pm me for info on it or getting anything polished.

 

[Uturn]

So where do you get it?

 

[win]

Hey Apex06 we need pics, i also heard that you turbod that apex.

 

[hayastusa]

wet sand...mothers...powerball......ahhh!