Orange Peel- I was doing the headers the week after I did the 236/236/112 cam, and 4.11 gears. I needed to wait till the next paycheck on the headers to pay for 'em. On that weekend I went to the drag strip and totally killed my 6 speed tranny. I had to spend $1,200 to build the tranny and I couldn't afford the headers too. So I traded a Glock pistol for a set of new painted Hookers. Getting married and starting my business has re-routed my mod money for the short term.

I plan to buy polished Hooker race headers. They will bolt right up to my Hooker ORY. Also, if the biz works out there will be a D1 Procharger as my yearly payment.

Evaporate & crazymofo1986- I sand all the way down to 1500 grit. You have to keep going in one direction till all the grain is gone from the previous grit. Go the opposite way just untill you can't see any grain from the previous direction/lower grit. Do that all the way up till 1200-1500 and the machine will "break" a nice shine using Tripoli and a waffle pad. Here are some pics of the items on Eastwood. I use these and tripoli from rough cut till the final light pressure pass over using the paste polish on the final clean up. Only use micro fiber towels on polished metal!!!

Buff Wheel Yellow Treated Ventilated

For Fastest Cut On Contoured Hard or Soft Metals
Faster Cutting, Longer Lasting Treated Buffs - Our new line of treated buffs work faster, longer than non-treated buffs. Suitable for faster material removal, these wheels take the place of standard and ventilated buffs. Used with Stainless Steel Compound (13001) or Tripoli Compound (13135). Great on hard or soft metals!13231 Buff Wheel 8" Yellow Treated Ventilated 1/2" Hole $9.99

Buffing Compound-Tripoli

For Medium Cutting Action on Aluminum and Other Soft Metals

Tripoli is ideal for soft aluminum, brass, pot metal, pewter, and more. The medium cutting action is aggressive enough to remove 220 grit and finer scratches. Tripoli is usually used on Spiral sewn cotton wheels (treated and untreated) as well as treated and untreated buffs. It also works well on mini buffs and felt bobs. This compound is usually followed by White Rouge Compound. Made in the USA.13135 Buff Compound Tripoli 13 oz Tube $6.99

 

Hey Joshua, I know you are working on a ton of other stuff right now, but I have a quick question on getting rid of casting lines/stuff that doesn't come off with 60 grit manual paper or a wire wheel on a corded drill.

Any recommendations on what the best thing to use on casting lines and stuff like...baked on brake dust might be? I'm sure the polishing neophytes out there <me included> would appreciate more of your wisdom.

 

Sandpaper on a stick... what a great idea!!!
Use one of these in 120,220 grit hooked into a drill and that should help out quite a bit in the rough sanding department. You should be able to find these in a hardware store or http://www.mcmaster.com/ search under "sandpaper flap wheels."

~Joshua

 

two great inventions in one...nice. thanks Joshua!

 

The only other thing can add about polishing aluminum for long periods of time is to wear some sort of a mask. You should of course wear a mask when sanding but you might not think it is as necessary when polishing. I have put my fair share of time in polishing aluminum and I know when i have spent hours polishing you still are removing material and will have the great taste of aluminum lingering in your mouth and nostrils for hours later if not wearing some sort of protection.

 

Joshua has helped me out alot. I have yet to tackle a big project, as it seems easy but when you get to it you really then know that you had no idea.

Patience and determination are the key.