Lythropus

iTrader: (13)

NEW PICTURES AND QUESTIONS AT BOTTOM OF PAGE

I received me stand-alone fuel cell from HSW today and thought it looked too plain so I ran out and bought some mothers aluminum polish and some sandpaper. I started with 800 and went down to 1500 grit and then polished but can still see the scratch marks from the 1500 grit.

Will 2000 grit get it to where I want it or 2500? I want an absolutely smooth mirror-like finish so how fine do I need to go?

Thanks

Ntimid8r7

iTrader: (9)

well what you should have done to get the look you want is to buy a die grinder(granted you have a compressor big enough) and then get some polishing compound and buffing/polishing wheels. That is the best way to get the results you want. Here is a pic of my driveshaft that I did a couple of weeks ago.

https://ls1tech.com/forums/showthrea...inum+polishing

Lythropus

iTrader: (13)

no compressor yet and mine looks about that way right now...

anyone else 2500 grit do it?

EDS01SS

iTrader: (30)

yes working up to 2000 and 2500 grit paper will take away most of your scratches. then go to a fine rubbing compound and then to the mothers polish..that should get ya to where ya wanna be

Snuffles

iTrader: (1)

I have never went passed 1500 grit when I have polished.
However, I've only ever used buffs and compounds.

Lythropus, if you have a drill you can check out Eastwood (sponsor--->). They have buffs made to work with drills.
Or if you don't feel like waiting for shipping you can head to Seers, they have a kit for $10 that has everything you will need, minus the drill of course.

Lythropus

iTrader: (13)

What kind of rubbing compound do you recommend?

FireBreathingChicken

When you sand do you go in opposite directions for each grit? That has seemed to work pretty well for me. It is a hell of a lot of work, but the end result is great.

lo_jack

iTrader: (27)

Search polishing and poster ~JOSHUA. He has polished everything, and to me is the gold standard of polishing aluminum on this site. He has posted on this several times, and his results speak for themselves.

~JOSHUA

iTrader: (92)

Bling!










My hobby Firehawk is for sale. (way under book value!)
https://ls1tech.com/forums/vehicles-sale-lsx-powered-only/701227-clean-02-firehawk-m6-below-book-value-l-k.html

Beasst8

iTrader: (1)

Yeah, just use some Tripoli compound from Eastwood. They also have the Wheel Arbor that is the buff wheel attachment for your drill.

lo_jack

iTrader: (27)

^ I rest my case

2000KnightRider

iTrader: (21)

Good god thats some serious frackin bling!

Lythropus

iTrader: (13)

This is a before picture of the rough texture, it took 400 grit to get these scratches off. Then 800, 1000, 1500, 2000, and then two buffing compounds and alumunim polish...


Here is the finished side (2 hours later...)




I still can't get the small scratches out, the mother aluminum polish on microfiber even scratches the aluminum...I can easily rub a finger nail across it and scratch it...

What's the deal?

Beasst8

iTrader: (1)

Im telling you. Tripoli and even some white rouge to follow. You dont really need the white rouge, but it can help. Joshua knows what hes talking about. I have polished lots of Stainless bolts, they looked hot, that was just with sanding. After I hit it with a buffer and the right compound, OMG. Changed my opinion on what hot was.......

Lythropus

iTrader: (13)

Can I find it at an auto parts store or do I have to order it off the eastwood website? Have you ever used their diamond clear in the spray can?

SpdFrk1990

iTrader: (6)

The white rouge makes a pretty big difference from the tripoli gives you that mirror look. Ill be doing my drive shaft also in a few weeks.
Here is my y-pipe I just finished I did my headers also last week. These parts are stainless but its pretty much the same procedure.

Lythropus

iTrader: (13)

Tripoli and white rouge on order with some other stuff, thanks for all the help...I do appreciate it...

SpdFrk1990

iTrader: (6)

Make sure you use a die grinder also and not a drill you want to do high speed with low pressure.

Lythropus

iTrader: (13)

Thanks for the tip.