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Polishing what am I doing wrong??

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Old Apr 22, 2003 | 08:10 PM
  #1  
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Default Polishing what am I doing wrong??

I've been polishing some parts with mixed results. I did my tensioner and it turned out very nice. Tonite I did my thermostat, power steering bracket and alternator bracket. They are silver and shiney but no where near the deep chrome look that the tensioner has. I tried to polish my sheetmetal intake and the tripoli is just kinda hazing on it. I'm sanding with 400,600,800,1000,1500,2000 grit...then tripoli..then white rough on seperate wheels. Looking for some help. Thanks in advance
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Old Apr 22, 2003 | 08:21 PM
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Default Re: Polishing what am I doing wrong??

Doesn't sound like you're doing anything wrong. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="images/icons/confused.gif" /> Are you raking your wheels after using them?? Sometimes I start with a brand new wheel when I get that hazing effect. I've also noticed if I try to take on too much polishing work, I tend to skimp on the sanding. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="gr_images/icons/tongue.gif" /> Good luck!!

<img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" />
Andy

-Edit- I've never had much luck with sheetmetal either. It never seems to polish out to my liking, so I paint it <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="gr_images/icons/tongue.gif" />

<small>[ April 22, 2003, 08:23 PM: Message edited by: zZAndrusZz ]</small>
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Old Apr 22, 2003 | 09:38 PM
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98trans am's Avatar
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Default Re: Polishing what am I doing wrong??

i had the same thing after i did some stainless stuff and then switched to aluminum, the aluminum got cloudy. i think the wheels just need cleaning.
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Old Apr 22, 2003 | 09:54 PM
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Default Re: Polishing what am I doing wrong??

Sounds like the only thing your doing wrong is wasting your time with going that high of a grit. If its a rough surface that needs the casting taken off than go 80 grit medium emory cloth, than 100, 120, 220 and IF NEEDED 400. Any above is really a waste of time. I hope your not using the same compound on the same buffing wheels... Also what are you using to buff? What kinda wheel? Is it a hand drill or a grinder? When you put the tripoli to the wheel does it literally melt? If not, your ish ain't spinning fast enough, it ain't getting hot enough, it ain't working right. Take it from me kiddo...

<img src="http://www.firebirdomain.com/holybling.jpg" alt=" - " />
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Old Apr 23, 2003 | 07:57 PM
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Default Re: Polishing what am I doing wrong??

Sounds like I need to clean my wheel out. I'm using 5" polishing wheels on an old blower motor turned into a grinder. It's 1200 rpm I think. Do I need something that with more rpm's? Thanks for the help guys.
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Old Apr 24, 2003 | 07:28 PM
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Default Re: Polishing what am I doing wrong??

Yeah, I think you need something with at least 3K RPMs. I had the same problem when I stuck my buffing wheels on the end of my power drill, the wheel just wouldn't spin fast enough to make a difference.
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Old Apr 24, 2003 | 07:33 PM
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Default Re: Polishing what am I doing wrong??

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by qwik3r:
<strong> Sounds like the only thing your doing wrong is wasting your time with going that high of a grit. If its a rough surface that needs the casting taken off than go 80 grit medium emory cloth, than 100, 120, 220 and IF NEEDED 400. Any above is really a waste of time. I hope your not using the same compound on the same buffing wheels... Also what are you using to buff? What kinda wheel? Is it a hand drill or a grinder? When you put the tripoli to the wheel does it literally melt? If not, your ish ain't spinning fast enough, it ain't getting hot enough, it ain't working right. Take it from me kiddo...

<img src="http://www.firebirdomain.com/holybling.jpg" alt=" - " /> </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">That looks chromed to me. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" /> If it's polished, what did you use to get in the smaller 90 degree inside crevices (spelling) and down in the other grooves?? I'm trying to decide how to get those areas sanded smooth enough to buff.

-Andy
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Old Apr 24, 2003 | 08:23 PM
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Default Re: Polishing what am I doing wrong??

<img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="gr_eek2.gif" /> Wow!!! Nice TB!!! How long did it take you to do that?
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