Thread: Bringing back a good finish in those hard to reach places

I was experimenting this weekend with a 3M fibber brush. I found it is excellent for getting the fin areas without removing material to the point of distortion.

Good option for a simple surface clean also.

You have proved some many GREAT pointers on how to get that perfect finish. Thanks for all your helpful posts..I save all of em for furture reference.

I work for a motor manufacturer, looking to see if I can get one of these polishing motors.

Kevin

Thanks Kevin

I enjoy helping and also gaining knowledge from the many experienced members on this site also.

I think every one has some niche experience that can be a great asset to others.

Its just difficult sometimes to get most to reveal it or at least speak it in terms the average Joe can understand or make use of it.

Thanks too Dupa. I've checked out a lot of your posts on polishing and learned a lot. I don't have a polisher, just lots of nightmares of polishing my mom's silverware when I was a kid.

That looks super clean,do you put anything on the metal after to keep it looking good

A good clear coat preferably an epoxy base. Cheap spray can clear will not hold up to the heat and tends to yellow over time. My preference is to leave it as is. It will dull or patina a little and resemble the stock look if thats what you are going for.

If you want to go for bling than I would recommend clear coat to maintain the luster or constant polish maintenance with an an aluminum polish as the castings are 380 alloy and do oxidise over time if left raw no matter how well polished.

thanks for the information,has anyone tried a blasting media such as pecan shells or plastic beads to brighten the aluminum.I understand sand or glass is to hard ,is there a chemical brightener that anyone has used

Corn cob blasting works somewhat. It leaves a low luster matte finish but is not very aggressive so if you have battle scars on your parts they will most likely show.

There is also a hardened steel vibratory media that is available in many shapes that will shine aluminum very good. Obviously you need a vibratory machine. Pretty much high volume industrial applications. There are some vibe media shops that will do onesy twosy pcs.

I haven't experimented with anything else other than wheel polishing

i read where you had mentioned polishing in a vibratory device and well here is an idea but i dont know that it works but im sure its worth a try my dad used it to polish rocks a while back it was a coffee can with i think some BBs or cat litter and it sat on its side and rotated like a tumbler till the rock was polished im sure if the right mix was made and the right sized container as well as a low speed high torqe motor was found you might be able to do it. i dont know worth a try i guess.

This is a great thread, Polished aluminum looks so much better then paint. It's fairly inexpensive can be time consuming. But the results look trick. Thanks Dupa