How do you polish aluminum?
Sep 23, 2008 | 02:02 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,278
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From: Douglasville, GA
How do you polish aluminum?
Can it be done yourself?? If so, how hard is it to do?? Is it like polishing the runners inside a cylinder head???
Does anyone know of a how too??
Reason I'm asking is because I want the larger polished 18" rear wheel for my motorcycle but I want to polish my front wheel to match.
It is just a cast aluminum wheel that I want to polish.
thanks
-Joshua
Does anyone know of a how too??
Reason I'm asking is because I want the larger polished 18" rear wheel for my motorcycle but I want to polish my front wheel to match.
It is just a cast aluminum wheel that I want to polish.
thanks
-Joshua
Sep 23, 2008 | 02:27 PM
#2
Is it smooth already, or have a rough texture to it? Does it have a clear over it? Don't know the exact process, but if it has a texture, or other finish over it, it will need to be sanded to get it nice and smooth as well as removing the current finish assuming there is one. Then you will have to go over it with different grades of polish starting with a heavy to medium cut and work to a lighter cut.
If it is just bare aluminum and needs to be brought back to its original luster, you may or may not have to sand it, and depending on its current condition you could probably start at a medium cut polish.
If you don't feel like doing it yourself, I know Best Metal Polishing in Lilburn does great work.
If it is just bare aluminum and needs to be brought back to its original luster, you may or may not have to sand it, and depending on its current condition you could probably start at a medium cut polish.
If you don't feel like doing it yourself, I know Best Metal Polishing in Lilburn does great work.
Sep 23, 2008 | 03:07 PM
#3
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 16,820
Likes: 2
From: In a van DOWN BY THE RIVER
If it is cleared, you need to remove that, us a scuff pad, some paint thinner.. Next you will need to buff the hell out of it, possibly a lil wetsending, with super fine paper.. I modified my metabo cut off, with a buffing wheel from a bench grinder, It works better then anything I have used. IMO if it is tarnished bad the power ball is a POS.. This will take time and patience to do it right and come out even and shiney.. The best polish I have used I have purchased at big rig shops, it is called outshine, or long haul.. Also as mentioned if it is cast, is a shitty cast it isn't worth doing it, unless you want to put ALOT of time into it, alot of sanding and finishing, if it is smooth and a good cast it won't be to bad, if it it billet(doubtfull) your golden
John
John
Sep 24, 2008 | 03:47 PM
#4
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,278
Likes: 0
From: Douglasville, GA
Is it smooth already, or have a rough texture to it? Does it have a clear over it? Don't know the exact process, but if it has a texture, or other finish over it, it will need to be sanded to get it nice and smooth as well as removing the current finish assuming there is one. Then you will have to go over it with different grades of polish starting with a heavy to medium cut and work to a lighter cut.
If it is just bare aluminum and needs to be brought back to its original luster, you may or may not have to sand it, and depending on its current condition you could probably start at a medium cut polish.
If you don't feel like doing it yourself, I know Best Metal Polishing in Lilburn does great work.
If it is just bare aluminum and needs to be brought back to its original luster, you may or may not have to sand it, and depending on its current condition you could probably start at a medium cut polish.
If you don't feel like doing it yourself, I know Best Metal Polishing in Lilburn does great work.
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