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iTrader: (34)

I am wanting to get a dremel to polish out my Smoothie II rims....Can anyone tell me the best brand to get and also the best place to buy this....What all is needed to polish my rims? Anything else that is pertinent to this? All help is greatly appreciated....thanks

John

y2k_ta

iTrader: (80)

I'd say nothing beats the Dremel brand itself. My little brother has one, and he's used it like crazy with zero problems. I think he found his at a Menards hardware store, and I know for a fact that they carry numerous attachments for them there as well.

onyxxtreme

iTrader: (4)

a dremel for wheels?
dont you need something a lil bigger than a dremel?

XtinctHawk02

You need a "buffing" wheel to polsih your rims. A little dremel tool will take you many many years to do.

1 SIC Z

iTrader: (34)

Where should I get the buffing pad from, part no.? Also I have a die grinder and cordless drill...Is it possible to just change the heads on them? thanks for the help...

John

Todd2001SS

A dremmel is for detail work wheels take much larger equipment.

DEEZ98Z

iTrader: (5)

Go to eastwood.. they have a polishing pad that goes on your drill.

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iTrader: (34)

what is Eastwood?

onyxxtreme

iTrader: (4)

http://www.eastwoodcompany.com

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iTrader: (34)

alright, which buffing pad would be best? there is this one http://www.eastwoodcompany.com/itemd...3.x=63&I3.y=36

or should i get these? http://www.eastwoodcompany.com/itemd...3.x=21&I3.y=51

thanks for all the help....

John

Todd2001SS

Let me try and explain a couple things so you are not disappointed with your results and do not go crazy buying new buffing equipment. If you are looking to have a polished look that is like chrome a drill will never get you there. If you are looking for a clean and spruced up look liquid polish will work great. Here is a write up I did to turn dull alum to look like chrome... Polishing Link
If you are cleaning your existing rims to shine perfectly like chrome a high speed buffer and compounds will be needed like in the write up I did. The flits polish will work well to remove grime and stains but will not give a chrome like look to a VERY DULL finish. Do not get me wrong it will look much better and you may be fine. Buy some rub it on with a cotton towel (IMO the drill is not necessary just does not spin fast enough) and see how it turns out.

I am not shure what condition your rims are in or what your goals are for them to look like.

Chrome looking=High speed buffer needs to be used.
Flitz=Will shine them up, not to the level of chrome.

Try the flitz, then see if you want to spend the $ for buffing.

I hope I am helping you, not confusing you.

Todd

Todd2001SS

One more example I think this will get my point across...

The ac condensor pic below. If you were to use a metal polish only it would not shine as well as a buffed look like this...wiping it or using a drill with metal polish would never give the dept of shine like in the pic below...only a high speed buffer with compound will. Same with your rims.

1 SIC Z

iTrader: (34)

My main purpose is to polish my Smoothie II rims with something other than my hands....I have Mothers Billet polish and I heard that a buffer on a dremel or cordless screwdriver works wonders....My rims are not that bad in shape as they are never driven in the rain....I would like to get as close to chrome looking as possible then later on apply some Zoopseal....Does this sound right or should I try another option? I am so confused now......

XtinctHawk02

So a can of compound and buffing wheel on a electric drill, will not get it that polished? . So you have to use one of those heavy duty buffing wheels that clamp down on your work bench?
By taking that condenser off, do you lose an freon or anything? I've never taken mine off and was curious. I really want to polish mine..
Thanks,
Jeremy

***Update***
I saw your link above on how to polish. So in order to get that mirror finish, I would need a high speed buffer wheel. like this one http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...id=00922626000.

I was looking at your website, did you take off all of your parts to polish them?
Example how did you polish this one?
It's the white plastic thing behind the radiator.
I couldn't link the image.

Todd2001SS

Nope, using a drill will not make the part shine like chrome. If you use Tripoli and white Rouge compounds (not in a can but they are sticks, solid, wrapped in paper) they will not melt on a wheel on a drill. The speed of the buffer actually melts the compound to the wheel then when the part is pushed against it the wheel with the compound on it the compound will smooth or shine the part. Tripoli smoothes the surface, the White Rouge shines.

If you remove the condenser it will loose Freon. My lower hose bumped into the crank pulley and discharged so I am leaving it that way for now, no AC.

Eastwood has a great tape which I purchased for 10 bucks or so to demonstrate the entire process. It will show you the tools needed, compounds for different types of metals to polish etc.. Really not a bad price to see what it involves. Again, using a metal polish does make it shine better, just not chrome like, still looks grayish but not bad looking.

The link you show is the correct buffer you would need or a larger one, more hp & longer shafts. It does take practice but the savings is HUGE, it takes lots of time, also messy. I am not peddling Eastwood but their compounds & wheels are second to none. Buffers are pricy...bought the Craftsman.

Again just trying to help.


Here is what I did with mine..Before...


After...

nick3205

I might need to buy that video and learn. Your works looks great by the way.

Todd2001SS

Thanks!

XtinctHawk02

Thanks for the info!
I have printed this out for my personal records.