Todd2001SS

After paying for polishing work and seeing the cost involved I went out and purchased all of the equipment needed to do it myself.

I purchased some items from Eastwood & Craftsman. 1.5 hp 8inch Buffer, 6 inch Grinder, Flexible Shaft Rotary Tool (Dremmel), most all types of buffing wheels, expander sanding wheel, and compounds for aluminium, stainless, and plastic.

I am starting small (bolts etc) and expect to be digging in full force in the next month. Basically anything aluminium, stainless, and plastic will shine. Supercharger <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" /> , brackets, valve covers, maybe heads, water pump, TB, radatior cover, FMU, inside of rims? (maybe), brake brackets, heat shields? (maybe), re polish all MBA parts, etc.

First up, Bolts, Clamps...

Took my stainless, bolts, and clamps and started.

I CAN NOT BELIEVE THE RESULTS!! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="gr_eek2.gif" />

Rubbing metal polish on is not the same. I used 700 grit sand paper on my expanding wheel first, then stainless buff compound, then white rouge compound.

Here are some before and after pics...I swear you can see yourself in the bolt.

<img src="http://groups.msn.com/isapi/fetch.dll?action=MyPhotos_GetPubPhoto&PhotoID=nGAA AAB0F8jASLGSLETC7DMvMyTLq4vioOca8TSvFSq**7*dtxDFSU MDekBCQBLMa" alt=" - " />

<img src="http://groups.msn.com/isapi/fetch.dll?action=MyPhotos_GetPubPhoto&PhotoID=nGAA AAEEFnDKvyT53NCpoTih4nnAmrEaR5LMa3OuSlfnhlpqEG15UI 8DekBCQBLMa" alt=" - " />

Clamp shining...

<img src="http://groups.msn.com/isapi/fetch.dll?action=MyPhotos_GetPubPhoto&PhotoID=nGAA AAKYEhCkekUS8KG5x!USFLPBQlG5SN135OpzeI*EWxLKqVOx1r cDekBCQBLMa" alt=" - " />

Buffer, Grinder...Messy Garage...

<img src="http://groups.msn.com/isapi/fetch.dll?action=MyPhotos_GetPubPhoto&PhotoID=nGAA AAKQFyjhVTCH4UgxKCB9KenrTW7GWz4SbSc6q5yKjtoNsgvPpA MDekBCQBLMa" alt=" - " />

<small>[ October 14, 2002, 11:48 PM: Message edited by: Todd2001SS ]</small>

2FAST4U

The clamps look great I will have to do that on my intake clamps. But as for the bolts I think you have to much time on your hands. Can't you just buy crome bolt and how hard is it keep clean.

Todd2001SS

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by 2FAST4U:
<strong>The clamps look great I will have to do that on my intake clamps. But as for the bolts I think you have to much time on your hands. Can't you just buy crome bolt and how hard is it keep clean.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Keep in mind it is a fun hobby for me and now the cost is nothing compared to buying it done. I will save the money twice over by doing it myself.

I am one of those "I'd rather do it myself kind of persons" <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />

Also I am a nut for keeping my car clean. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="gr_eek2.gif" />

<small>[ October 15, 2002, 09:00 AM: Message edited by: Todd2001SS ]</small>

Xsta Z 28

iTrader: (2)

NICE!!! You crazy fool! <img border="0" alt="[jester]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_jest.gif" />

PendragonZ

I applaud your efforts very much.
I used to have things done for me, out of being
scared to do something wrong. Now I am getting
into the "do it yerself" mode, after having my
rotor/pad replacement turn out so well.

-brian

http://www.host4all.com/~ls1

Todd2001SS

Xsta Z 28...I'm a fool, yep, and we all are <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="gr_eek2.gif" /> Your garage floor is sweet! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />

Poltergeist, Rob...Give me a week or two to get rolling, once I dig into polishing the aluminium, then bring it on. I can kick myself for not doing my own Borla it would of been a snap.

PendragonZ...I bought a video and after watching it I saw that it did not look to hard. Just time involved and a big savings. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />

<small>[ October 15, 2002, 10:29 PM: Message edited by: Todd2001SS ]</small>

Poltergeist

Hey Todd what's your address?? I have a few things to send to you. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="gr_tounge.gif" />

1BDLS1

Where did you get all the compounds from? What grit wheels did you get? I am going to do the same thing. I am going to go buy the grinder and polisher tomarrow.

Todd2001SS

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by 1BDLS1:
<strong>Where did you get all the compounds from? What grit wheels did you get? I am going to do the same thing. I am going to go buy the grinder and polisher tomarrow.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I purchased the compounds and expansion wheel from Eastwood.

The sanding wheel allows any grit sandpaper and is really nice. I am not sure if the wheel paper is exclusive to the Eastwood expander wheel. It is very reasonable, 4 bucks for the sanding paper. ***To sand the grinder must operate at 2500rpm or less, I bought a variable speed grinder.****

The compounds I bought were basically one of each, emery, tripoly, stainless, white rouge, and plastic.

I also bought 4 different wheels.

So far results are better than expected with stainless, Al I think will be a little tougher.

Hope this helps,

Todd

Steve1969LS1

iTrader: (1)

Very nice Todd <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" /> -- you can also "pre-polish" stuff your sending to the chrome shop to save $$$..

I have a nice bench grinder that I havent gotten around to setting up.. now im motivated <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" /> -- I have had good luck with my air-rotory grinder (dremel) and expandable buff wheels..

Looks like you have a new hobby <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" />

Todd2001SS

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Steve2000SS:
<strong>Very nice Todd <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" /> -- you can also "pre-polish" stuff your sending to the chrome shop to save $$$..

I have a nice bench grinder that I havent gotten around to setting up.. now im motivated <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" /> -- I have had good luck with my air-rotory grinder (dremel) and expandable buff wheels..

Looks like you have a new hobby <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" /> </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Have you looked at the attachment to hook up to the buffer with a cable that has a wheel on it, kind of a long dremmel attachment allowing you to work on parts attached to the engine...may be the air rotory grinder you have. Do you understand what I am talking about? That would be the ticket to have. My dremmel is to small for surface area parts.

The more I look at my car the list gets longer for items to polish, intercoolers, plates under the front of the car for them etc.

I am really excited, but taking the supercharger / parts off the car is not easy, but I do like doing it.