travisnd

iTrader: (21)

I want to polish my AC condensor but do not want to take it out of the car. Whats the best way to do this by hand? I don't have a dremel, and assume I'm going to need different grits of sandpaper. What grit do I need to start out with and so one. Thanks guys!

Travis

VsGonzo

get some blue magic Thats what I did. It gets it pretty dang good. Also good for doing all the little lines and what not.

travisnd

iTrader: (21)

I have used blue magic, but its doesnt seem very shiny like the guys who have had thiers polished.

GotV-8

iTrader: (15)

I used compound polish. It worked very well, just put it on let it set for a few mins or so and take it off. Made it look a lot better.

NBM7278

I used Mothers metal polish. Just keep on buffing it until it turns out sparkling.

BURN'EM

iTrader: (11)

Same here shines like a mirror, just takes some *** and elbows

NBM7278

Funny, but true. I couldn't believe the difference a little bit of that polish/compound, elbow grease, and time did. You'll be amazed. I even used it on all the areas of the engine that I thought "may" be able to shine. Sure enough, it worked.

~JOSHUA

iTrader: (92)

I did my entire engine using a drill and sanding/polishing attachments. I'd go to the Home Depot and get a buffing wheel and use your drill. You still sand by hand, get down to at least 600 grit and the drill will save a lot of effort.

You really need power tools to get the job done right. I was a pro at polishing before I started my project, so the drill job looks professional, but I'd definately recommend a drill for the basic stuff. Good luck!

Brandon Boomhauer

iTrader: (10)

just used a little mothers on it........

Gipraw

iTrader: (10)

I used Metal Armour Metal Polish and some elbow grease, then their Sealant. Worked great, and haven't had to redo it. I just add a little sealant every once in a while, just to add to the shine.

vtec this

I used 00 steel wool and mothers aluminum polish and it shines very nice.

Flawless02SS

iTrader: (9)

I wet sanded mine to cut down on polishing time. Start with 600 grit, then 1000, then 1500, and finally 2000. It will look like a mirror before you even put an oz. of polish on it!!

travisnd

iTrader: (21)

What all is involved in wet sanding. Can I just get some 600 grit and go to work?

~JOSHUA

iTrader: (92)

Wet sanding is basically having a bowl of water to dip the paper in and wash off the scum after every 15 seconds of sanding. It keeps the paper from "loading" up with aluminium. After 1 minute without wet sanding the papermatrix will be full and there won't be much agregate raised high enough to do a reasonable level of work. You need to wet sand.

You can polish after 600, but unless you are using a power tool, that will be more work and the polish job wont be as bright. If you are going to do it all by hand, go down finer on the grit. If you had a drill, it would work Ok with the 600.

LawmanSS

iTrader: (19)

Based on past experience, if polishing by hand, I would wet sand to 1000 grit...

Flawless02SS

iTrader: (9)

travisnd....Get yourself a small bucket of water and add a little soap (dish soap or car wash soap). You want to keep the surface wet the entire time your sanding. I found it handy to add a soap/water mix to a spray bottle and keep it wet that way. Easier than all the dipping you will have to do back and fourth from the bucket.

JonB

iTrader: (3)

I also used steel wool. Started with 0 then 00 and then 000 and then some polish. Worked like a charm and its very easy to work with when everything is still on the car.

tranzam01

iTrader: (5)

i just polished mine after reading this post. it took me about 30 to 45 min. I used Mothers Powerball, then never dull and last mother's billet polish.

travisnd

iTrader: (21)

pics?

travisnd

iTrader: (21)

I guess since I do have a drill, I could use some attachments. What attachements do I need to get for polishing?