well, i went out and bought me a new die grinder to do some port and cosmetic polish work. i hear of everyone using these to polish various parts, but i cant find the right polishing bits. what do you and the people at polishing shops use to get that hi gloss polish? am i doomed to do this by hand with 2000grit wet paper? also, when im working on my heat shield, the metal is splotchy and no even in color...what can i do to go rid of this?
#75007, "RE: polishing steel/alum" In response to Reply # 0
well I'd use some kinda soft wire wheel to get rid of any corrosion or stuff that has build up then I'd use a buffing bit or a a terry cloth and use blue magic. You can kinda do it the port and polish way too use some grinding bit to get big stuff off then sandpaper with varrying grit, then use the polishing sponge thingie with some WD40 on it to polish it of. Then finish it off with some blue magic.
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#75017, "RE: polishing steel/alum" In response to Reply # 1
Clean the manifold the best you can. A hot tank, sandblaster, or a parts washer is your best bet. Use brake cleaner if you have to. After it's clean, I use a 120grit flap wheel. Then I use an assortment of wire wheels. Them I use an assortment of felt wheels and buffing compound. I use 2 different die grinders and an angle grinder for the hard toreach areas. I also use a dremel for rough spot in those areas.
Thats the best I gave give you. Usually I get paid for that. But I'm doing the work.
#75051, "RE: polishing steel/alum" In response to Reply # 2
Wire wheels are dangerous. They can cause some deep scratches that will show when you get to the final polishing. I was polishing my valvecover until I realized what had happened. I started with a wire wheel to remove the black paint. I couldn't get it all so i used a bead blaster to finish it off. I then went over it with sandpaper by hand, 100 grit, 400 grit, 800 grit, 1500 grit then 2000 grit. Then i use rubbing compond then some polishing compond. Comes out like chrome. However, my valve cover didn't because all the scratches left from the wire wheel.
#75054, "RE: polishing steel/alum" In response to Reply # 3
If you wanna get the paint of with out breaking a sweat. Then go to shop that sells auto paint and ask for some Peeler, the stuff is the best. But just make sure you use it outside and wear rubber gloves. Because the instructions says "use in well ventilated area or else may cause DEATH" I would then start with a low grit wetsand paint and work you way down to about 2000grit. I would practice on something else though. I hate to say it but go to a junk yard and buy a honda valve cover or something because they are pretty easy to polish. The valve cover might cost ya $5 or $10. But it would be better to pratice on a shitty cover than on your good one. Have fun!!!
#75090, "RE: polishing steel/alum" In response to Reply # 4
Originally posted by Geelo Wire wheels are dangerous. They can cause some deep scratches that will show when you get to the final polishing. I was polishing my valvecover until I realized what had happened. I started with a wire wheel to remove the black paint. I couldn't get it all so i used a bead blaster to finish it off. I then went over it with sandpaper by hand, 100 grit, 400 grit, 800 grit, 1500 grit then 2000 grit. Then i use rubbing compond then some polishing compond. Comes out like chrome. However, my valve cover didn't because all the scratches left from the wire wheel.
Are we talking about the same kind of wire wheel here? I don't think I could scratch a manifold with that if I tried. I use a 2" wheel with really soft wire that always flys off and stick in my forearm. But it keeps me awake during the process. Cussing helps too.
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