Polished Aluminum

[rtvickers]

I recently learned how to polish aluminum. I polished the snout on my 2.3 whipple and the coil covers for valve covers for my 04 Cobra. Im still learning but I think Im doing ok. Here are some pics.

http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd416/rtvickers/IMG00167-20111002-0031.jpg
http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd416/rtvickers/IMG00166-20111002-0031.jpg
http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd416/rtvickers/IMG00169-20111002-0032.jpg

[Kevin1989]

id say you did quite well!

[rtvickers]

id say you did quite well!

Thanks. The coil covers were like a silver color and the whipple snout was anodized black.

[sean]

looks good

[Applejaxx95vert]

those look good.

[furiouslyfaster]

I think ya did a pretty good job man

[IWRBB]

I want my Whipple snout polished! Been thinking about doing that for years. Did you just strip the old anodizing then go to town?

[cobraman302]

Care to elighten us on some basic steps you take to prepare/polish? I am considering trying to polish a few items on my car this winter while I have some spare time. I'd prefer to do things myself and learn something at the same time.

[93blackstang]

looks good, nice job.

[rtvickers]

Here is how I did the snout on my blower. Here's a link if you have any questions just ask.

http://www.svtperformance.com/forums/how-230/752624-how-mirror-polish-kenne-bell-whipple-snout.html



Here is how I did my coil covers.

I used an air sander I think its call a die grinder? Anyway, the sanding pads we have at work are coarse, med, fine, and very fine. And on one of them I started off with a 120 grit disc but be carefull it can get out of hand quick. Just start with the coarse and work your way up to very fine. Then I started wet hand sanding with 400 grit and went to 600, 800, 1000, and 2000. I went side to side and up and down. I think that helped it turn out better. After sanding I used Mothers mag and aluminum polish. You can do it by hand or use a buffing wheel carefully on low. I used a buffing wheel just bumping the button. I applied the polish with my finger and then hit it with the wheel and then wiped off by hand with a micro fiber towel. I think this would apply to anything that you want to polish. I think Im gonna get another set of cop covers and do it again. I sanded a little too much off of one of them. I dont think I can fix it and make it look good. But that is what I did. If you have anymore question or if you want some help just ask. No big deal. Thanks for the compliments. Im still new at this. I have the polish bug now. I may do the whole whipple and my valve covers. LOL!!!

[Stangman]

I love polishing aluminum. It's time consuming but gives great results.

You did a good job there.

Also, try Busch's aluminum polish that stuff is amazing.

I polished my 14" aluminum slot wheels on my Mustang II... and I found them in a junk yard!

keep up the good work

[INSANEBA]

I use the rolock pads to knock down rough cast and casting flaws, then switch to 320 grit sand paper and dry sand. Then 500 grit dry, then if it still has sand marks I step up one more time. After that I use maroon emry pads to scuff and clean. I never wet sand, instead I use black emry rouge and a cutting pad (cotton buffer wheel) on a variable speed dewalt buffer at hi rpms (thats the key to a hi luster). Once it starts looking like it's blinging, I use scotch brite pads and scuff it one more time in a cross hatch design. Then re-buff with the black emry rouge, and clean it. After thats done, I switch to a loose stitched cotton wheel (buffing pad) and white diamond clay. That doesent take near as long, and man does it make shit bling! I've been polishing for years now, and everyone does it a lil different. I'm gonna switch to airway pads on my next job, which will be my wheels and a few other things from my new bike, as well as my car. It's not easy or clean work, anyone that says it's easy is lying to you. But if you get your method down, and dont clown around doing it, you can get it done pretty quickly.

Here are a few of my results
http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd80/INSANEBA/rixxx.jpg

http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd80/INSANEBA/convos.jpg

http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd80/INSANEBA/jackblinging.jpg

http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd80/INSANEBA/mikesr1.jpg

[rtvickers]

[QUOTE=INSANEBA;674924]I use the rolock pads to knock down rough cast and casting flaws, then switch to 320 grit sand paper and dry sand. Then 500 grit dry, then if it still has sand marks I step up one more time. After that I use maroon emry pads to scuff and clean. I never wet sand, instead I use black emry rouge and a cutting pad (cotton buffer wheel) on a variable speed dewalt buffer at hi rpms (thats the key to a hi luster). Once it starts looking like it's blinging, I use scotch brite pads and scuff it one more time in a cross hatch design. Then re-buff with the black emry rouge, and clean it. After thats done, I switch to a loose stitched cotton wheel (buffing pad) and white diamond clay. That doesent take near as long, and man does it make shit bling! I've been polishing for years now, and everyone does it a lil different. I'm gonna switch to airway pads on my next job, which will be my wheels and a few other things from my new bike, as well as my car. It's not easy or clean work, anyone that says it's easy is lying to you. But if you get your method down, and dont clown around doing it, you can get it done pretty quickly.]

Good work. Im new at this and I dont have access to that kind of polishing equipment. Just some air tools and some scotch bright sanding disc. And my hands. Im looking at a polishing kit from Eastwood for about $40. But Im just a young grasshopper and I have a lot too learn. I may do my blower, valve covers, tail pipes, and rims. But my rims are black and they seem like a lot of work. I dunno well see. But great work looks good.

[INSANEBA]

Like I said, it's alot of time. But if you really want that look for your car, or whatever your polishing then I feel it's well worth it! I'm actually powerballing my welds tomorow lol, just cleaning them u for the fall. But I have a list of raw alu stuff to get on soon as I can.

[2Fast4You]

That is deffinetly an art, if you have the time and patience you can make anything happen.