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Post by lancer150 on Sept 3, 2007 13:16:15 GMT -5
Hello i am going to show you how to polish your aluminum casting parts .. and make them look like chrome finish.. here is a list of things you will need 1. sandpaper starting at 600 to 2500 grit 2.a buffer or some kind of rotery tool that will spin at least 3000 rpms 3.a micrifiber cloth..  or just a rag. 4.rubbing compound /really agressive polish. 5.a few wool buffing pads for the buffer 6. a waterbottle Ok first here's is a example of the finished outcome w/lot's of sanding and polishing...>>>   here's what you need to do first. - 1st start with sanding the casting to a smoother finish.. w/600 grit and wet sand also.[glow=red,2,300]DO NOT apply alot of pressure!!![/glow] let the paper do the work.. if you push too hard you will leave really deep scraches that will still be there and you will have to sand alot more to get them out.
- 2nd you wet sand more with the next step finer sandpaper like 900-1000 grit..you will notice more shine as you sand finer and finer..next sand m 1500 grit do the whole area completely and evenly.then jump to 2000 grit same process and finally 2500 grit .. and try to keep wetsanding . and make sure you wipe off access metal from sanding and apply fresh water alot.
- 3rd step is the buffing part you will need a high speed buffer . i recomend the porter cable 7424
 someting that at least goes 3000 rpms .i use a dynabrade  but they are expensive! you will also need a white wool pad and .. some clear cut / or rubbing compound. something that is a really agressive polish.. this will round off your sharp edges and smooth your part good. it is like liquid fine sandpaper...
- 4th next you will need to get a new fresh pad actually you will need alot of pads because your pads will get filthy fast.
and some good fine finish polish i use the 3 m purple polish  and just keep polishing untill you reach you desired shinyness.. afterwards sit back and admire your work.
 [glow=red,2,300]you can do your rims to im going to do mine next [/glow]... |
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Post by earlwb on Sept 4, 2007 11:04:57 GMT -5
Polishing aluminum is a old time honored technique. Aluminum can almost look like shiny chrome plating in many cases.
of course like anything nice and shiny, you have to keep polishing it to keep it that way.
Thanks for posting.
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Post by 90GTVert on Sept 13, 2007 16:30:02 GMT -5
of course like anything nice and shiny, you have to keep polishing it to keep it that way. Not if you clear coat it. Eastwood makes a clear coat meant for bare metal surfaces, called Diamond Clear. |
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Post by lancer150 on Sept 17, 2007 16:04:41 GMT -5
thanks for the tip VERT  |
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Post by thelawnmowerman on Sept 20, 2007 23:45:06 GMT -5
just a curious question here..how long did it take to do your valve cover??
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Post by lancer150 on Sept 21, 2007 5:53:10 GMT -5
I sanded on it for a while maybe an 2 hours all togeather. took many breaks cause i did the sanding by hand.then about 30-45 minutes of polishing all togeather around three hours . but i worked on it off and on all day while i was at work..
I started on my front rim last weekend and found that the metal is a little more harder metal because it took a while to just get a small section smoothed out.I am probly not going to be able to polish my rim though so i will just sand it to the finiest possable finish i can and be happy with that.
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Post by joschmo86 on Jan 20, 2008 1:45:01 GMT -5
I am in the middle of rebuilding my engine and while I wait for parts, i decided to do this. So far i have cleaned and sanded it with 600 grit, wet sanding. Looking nice so far, need some finer sandpaper though.
Thanks for the write up. I'm going to see if i can do this to the exhaust surround since I have it dismantled also.
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Post by Scoot Tech on Sept 14, 2011 11:30:25 GMT -5
You can also use Mothers Mag and Aluminum polish. Less buffing and really all you need is some parer towells.
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Post by inuyasha on Sept 14, 2011 11:34:51 GMT -5
Hi
Outstanding
Thanks ever so much
Take care
Yours Hank
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Post by Scooter Elements on Sept 14, 2011 12:39:58 GMT -5
awsome!
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Post by bigcheesestick on Sept 15, 2011 18:27:46 GMT -5
Only one horrible problem... These engines are air cooled. The ruff textured surface allows for significantly better cooling than the smooth polished surface. Would be really interesting if someone uses an infrared temp sensor before and after to see how much hotter the engine runs. Added heat = less power, shorter engine life.  |
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Post by mainepeace on Sept 17, 2011 1:35:01 GMT -5
Shouldn't make much of a difference on the valve cover. However, it would on the cooling fins.
Greg
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Post by ♣Luke♣ on Sept 17, 2011 7:18:17 GMT -5
making aluminum shine is easy...but the question is HOW to maintain it shinning all the time???because aluminum tend to dull in time,,,i am thinking if you spray a glossy clear top coat ,i think it will stay shiny foreva!..whacha think?
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Post by mainepeace on Sept 17, 2011 11:23:51 GMT -5
of course like anything nice and shiny, you have to keep polishing it to keep it that way. Not if you clear coat it. Eastwood makes a clear coat meant for bare metal surfaces, called Diamond Clear. 90gtvert already gave that advice. Greg |
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Post by larrball on Sept 17, 2011 12:35:23 GMT -5
making aluminum shine is easy...but the question is HOW to maintain it shinning all the time???because aluminum tend to dull in time,,,i am thinking if you spray a glossy clear top coat ,i think it will stay shiny foreva!..whacha think? OK Luke you win.  J/K ;D |
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Post by Scoot Tech on Oct 2, 2011 9:27:23 GMT -5
I installed a fan on the underseat front engine cowl. It blows right on the valve cover and I have noticed a huge difference in temp after running it hard with fan on vs. off so "chroming" with mothers mag and aluminum polish wont bother the temp. I have plans to make or cut fins into the valve cover to help with cooling  |
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