Thread: Adding a little bling

Well I have the K0 apart due to cam drive components are shot so I decided to start polishing the engine parts. I tried some potent paint remover to get the stock paint off but it didn't seem to touch it. So I just used the aggressive gray polish compound with jean wheel and its coming off just fine.


Next spring this baby is gonna be sparkling top to bottom.

Ill post picks as the polish move forward.

Let me know Dupa when you want to polish my H and K3 covers. I'll send them to ya for some of the "Michigan" bling your doing! LOL

Brian

I need a stock carb maybe we can work a street swap.

The polishing is looking awesome! You are gonna have major Bling if you keep that up!!

Questions of course.
What size wheel are you using?
Where did you get it?
What power plant for the wheel are you using?
What speed are you running at?
How are you going to get into the small nook's and cranny's

Can ya tell I am about to do the same thing?

Thank You

Stephen

Smooth

Take a read on my post in the thread polishing aluminum.
I put some step by step details as to achieving a good polish with minimal effort.

The little bit you see polished on my cover was about 10-15 minutes of work.I used a multi laired jean wheel often two or three wheels sandwiched together on a 3/4hp motor @ 1725 rpm with aggressive gray polish compound. Typical motors run at 1725 good for starting and the next standard is 3500rpm. Use the higher rpm motor if possible for the finish polish. More HP the better as you can really lean into the wheel to get the imperfections out before you go to the higher rpm with the lighter compound.

As for getting into the small areas, I rarely have a problem just using a single wheel meaning single wheel only not multiple wheels sandwiched together. This allows the wheel to flex, dig and curve around the tough spots. Hang on tight or your toes will pay dearly or worse, you part will be embedded into the garage floor.

Worst case you can use the compressed cotton dremel tips with same compound to do the detail and finish off with a cotton layered fabric (not cotton pressed) wheel with white compound at 3500rpm if possible. You will never get rid of the spider web swirls with pressed cotton.

In my above mentioned Polishing Aluminum post I noted a red polish compound also. This is a mid polish step that will insure a mirror finish when you go to the final white compound. Not absolutely necessary however when used with the same jean wheel as the gray compound it will reduce effort and wear on the delicate cotton fabric wheel when you go to the white polish.

Most of the polish wheels I have are from my uncles aluminum die cast company. But you can get good wheels and compound at most home improvement stores (Lowell's, Home Depot, Menards).

The details I have mentioned are more about the industry standard for aluminum polishing. For the average Joe in the garage you can achieve the same results with an old 1/2hp furnace blower motor, drill and tap a hole in the end of the shaft to bolt on a polish wheel and your good to go. It will just take longer.

One other note that I failed to mention, never mix compounds on the same wheel. You need a wheel for each of the compounds.
And be prepared to strip down to your scivies in the garage cuz you wont be let back in the house with your close on when the wife sees you after a good hour or two of polishing.

Here are some wheel styles. The first pic is a cotton sisal wheel. You will find these at most improvement stores along with the next pic of a pocket or loose cotton buff. The sisal will work for roughing and finish polish however the pocket or loose cotton will give a better shine with a delicate touch. The third is a sisal jean wheel. Very agressive for roughing in.

Dupa...Thanks for posting such detailed polishing steps again....It's very generous of you! I printed out your first set and I will with this one also. Karen

Happy to help.
Again I will polish for parts trade if anyone wants some bling.

Originally Posted by Dupa

Happy to help.
Again I will polish for parts trade if anyone wants some bling.

What parts do you need?

I need a stock carb
Light bucket ears for my HK1 (yea I now keep dreamin)
Speedo cable for my K3
Tail light bracket for K0