bsf

iTrader: (7)

Since I am installing a new accumulator, I figured I might as well shine it up a bit. This is my third attempt at aluminum polishing. My TB was first, and that definitely was a waste of time. MAF ends came out better. This is my greatest success so far.

SPECIALIZED STAINLESS

iTrader: (15)

Looks really good. A buffing wheel really speeds up the polishing too

waterbug1999

iTrader: (3)

Do you actually use it in Michigan?

_JB_

iTrader: (33)

I used mine today, yesterday, the day before, two weekends ago, been pretty hot here lately.

Looks good! Where in MI are you?

chrysler kid

iTrader: (14)

mothers aluminum polish has mine looking like that, just had to buff it

shudog

iTrader: (3)

Did you take that out of the car just to polish it? Do you have to recharge the system after removing that cannister? Sure looks nice. I'm jealous.

bsf

iTrader: (7)

Thanks for the compliments. I have a 1HP bench grinder and that really helps. I removed both sides of the guard on the shaft/arbor the buffing wheel is on. That makes is easier to get in tighter spaces. Now with that end open, there is nothing preventing me from stepping up to a 10” wheel instead of using an 8” wheel. That will make things even easier. In fact, I ordered new 10” wheels last night since I had to place an order at Eastwood for compound. Metal polishing has a learning curve. I still have problems with items like TB’s with many nooks and crannies, but I am confident I can make easier pieces look like chrome. Specialized Stainless will be getting an order from me soon. Instead of paying the up-charge for polished pieces, I am just going to buy brushed and polish them myself. I think I could even do this as a side job and make 75 cents/hr when all was said and done.

I am replacing my compressor because I cracked the housing when I was reinstalling it after motor mount replacement. I still do not know why it cracked. Bolts were not over-torqued or torqued unevenly.

I have not even driven my car this year as I am dragging my a**. Need to make a push to get the car finished up.

Shudog, yes, the system will have to be evacuated, leak-checked, and recharged. Found a shop that will do it for around $100.

chrysler kid, that is great yours was easy to polish. My new accumulator had enough scratches, machine marks, and surface craters (porosity) that I needed to start with 220 grit.

smg267

iTrader: (23)

hit it with mothers polish on the car. ANd you can make that bitch shine in about 5 mins tops

ICEMAN 31

wow nice job, aluminum is a pain, the mothers polish does wonders

travisnd

iTrader: (21)

Not bad, though I prefer to chrome it!

bsf

iTrader: (7)

I have probably said it before; your car is awesome. Is your accumulator chromed? I did not think of doing that. To be honest, I would have a hard time paying for chrome-work. If I was going to invest that type of money, I think I would want to start with a car in better condition than mine, or something that was much worse but was cheaper to purchase.

edited to add
My car is super clean, but I am worried I have already spent too much money on engine bay bling. In my eyes, the engine bay needs to be repainted. I have tossed around the idea of repainting it while the engine is partially stripped, but I really do not want to use spray cans; have no spray guns; nor much experience with them.

travisnd

iTrader: (21)

Thanks! I had the accumulator and all of the AC lines chromed, seems easier to maintain than polished stuff, just my opinion.

Ericbigmac83

iTrader: (19)

Id be afraid to drive the car if the engine bay was that gorgeous. Looks awesome!!!

bsf

iTrader: (7)

I know you are just being modest, but it is the truth, not an opinion.

ICEMAN 31

damn travis that is the nicest engine bay I have seen in a while, I love the gloss black air box with the great SS air lid, what do you use to clean your engine bay

travisnd

iTrader: (21)

thanks, I mostly use Zaino in the engine bay to keep it nice and clean.

Bird Man

iTrader: (1)

I have some new engine bay pics on my webshots---go to page 2 of the new Great Lakes pics.

Just click on the bottom of this post

Cobra2WS6

iTrader: (22)

I dont understand how you guys get them looking so good. I have used a wheel and mother polish and it looks nothing like that

bsf

iTrader: (7)

I get as much as I can with small, palm-held, orbital sander. It is kind of rough on the sander as I am often placing unequal force on the pad. I started used 220, 320, 400, and 600 grit. What I could not get with the sander, I got by hand. Then I used black buffing compound (emery?) on an 8” yellow buffing wheel (Eastwood 13231). It is important to keep compound on the wheel. Then I cleaned it up with hot soapy water. If I missed anything I went back to the buffer. Then, I switched to white rouge compound and another yellow pad. Cleaned it up with hot soapy water and a terry cloth. Then used a little aluminum polish/protectant (Eagle Nano?). I could probably skip the Eagle Nano stuff, but I am hoping it will help stave off oxidation.