Appearance & Detailing Interior & Exterior Appearance Modifications

Polishing question

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Old Aug 18, 2011 | 11:40 AM
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Question Polishing question

I really want to clean up my fuel rails and have them look silver. I don't want to paint them because think it looks tacky. I was thinking to use a brass wheel to remove the paint and then use a cloth wheel with some type of polishing compound and then spray them with clear. Is this the correct process?
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Old Aug 18, 2011 | 11:51 AM
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That would be my suggestion, buff off the paint and then use a good wheel to polish it to a shine that is acceptiable to you.

Not so sure on spraying clear on bare metal as you are not using anything for helping the clear stick to the surface. No paint, no primer, just smooth metal. I would think it would be fine but I would check in the paint/bodywork section.
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Old Aug 18, 2011 | 01:25 PM
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I used to often polish alternator housings and spray them with clear lacquer. Sticks fine, but after a long while in the engine bay getting cooked it turns kinda yellow.

I just painted my rails semi gloss black so they look clean but don't stand out, them blending in with the intake is less of a distraction IMO.
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Old Aug 18, 2011 | 01:27 PM
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We found out if you take them off and just start buffing them with a metal polishing compound, the "paint" comes right off and it begins to shine. To speed it up you can use that red paste stuff and the buffing wheels found in nearly any Dremel tool kit.
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Old Aug 18, 2011 | 03:14 PM
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I'm thinking that bare metal in the engine bay would rust...but Good thoughts on the clear starting to yellow with age.
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Old Aug 18, 2011 | 03:49 PM
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I'm not sure, but maybe the clear engine enamel sprays might stay clear longer than the lacquer stuff I used. Might be worth asking about if anyone has used it.
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Old Aug 19, 2011 | 02:37 AM
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if you drive alot any polished underhood parts is a pain in the *** to keep looking nice,
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