Need help on how to polish Aluminum??

[smooth72]

I have been polishing aluminum for years, I have a 3/4 hp bench polisher, all different types of wheels air tools, etc. Most of my polishing I do is with a bench polisher or with my air tool grinders. Here is my problem, the part I have is on the car and would be very difficult to take it off, so I cannot take it to the wheel. It is a flat piece about 4 inches wide and 2 feet long, so it will easily show imperfection. Polishing a large flat surface is a different animal . I was thinking about some type of bonnet, like my 8" auto buffer but in a 4" for my grinder. It would have to tight weave. I know it can be done because I saw a 4 foot by 8 foot pieces of aluminum that someone used as pickup bed cover and was told they used powered hand tools. I have already sanded it smooth so it is ready for polishing. Any help or suggestion would appreciate it.

 

[astroracer]

I have been polishing aluminum for years, I have a 3/4 hp bench polisher, all different types of wheels air tools, etc. Most of my polishing I do is with a bench polisher or with my air tool grinders. Here is my problem, the part I have is on the car and would be very difficult to take it off, so I cannot take it to the wheel. It is a flat piece about 4 inches wide and 2 feet long, so it will easily show imperfection. Polishing a large flat surface is a different animal . I was thinking about some type of bonnet, like my 8" auto buffer but in a 4" for my grinder. It would have to tight weave. I know it can be done because I saw a 4 foot by 8 foot pieces of aluminum that someone used as pickup bed cover and was told they used powered hand tools. I have already sanded it smooth so it is ready for polishing. Any help or suggestion would appreciate it.

Take the sanding a bit further. I made some aluminum step plates for my truck a few years ago and I ended up with very little "polishing" after sanding them in steps up through 2000 grit... They started developing a decent shine at about 1200. I used a 3M Hook-it soft pad starting at 600 grit and working up through 2000. I used WD40 as a lube and the steps have a very nice shine.
Mark

 

[red caddy]

I use a 3 inch buffing pad on my DA sander. I spray glued a piece of carpet felt to a worn out sanding pad backer, works good. any good body shop supply should stock the foam detail buff's but they are a little pricey, so I made my own. RED

 

[Jeepguy]

i use the same method as i do for any metal polish, wet sand heavily, with soapy water and 250 grit 3M automotive then again with 300 and then one last time with 2500, then get the hardest cutting compound you can find and use a 8" wool buffing pad with the capability of 3500 rpms, then i use this stuff called lazy boys metal cleaner and polish, you can get it at any automotive store, the cleaner is pink and the polish is milky white, just use a rag with the cleaner( it will turn black as night with aluminum ) and do one pass with the buffer with the polish then as many hand buffs with a wax pad as you so desire. then i always put about 3 coats of any brand of "Butter wax" if you dont have a buffer that will spin that fast youll just have to do more steps. Trust me i worked for the most **** SOB in the used car market if i didnt do a perfect "mirror effect" i didnt have a job. I know its a lot of steps but it looks awsome and lasts as long as you dont touch it with any cleaning brushes ( the same goes with the paint on you car. use a power washer, dry with a micro fiber rag then wax it as soon as it is dry never touch it with a brush no matter how soft the brissles feel they will scratch!)

 

[smooth72]

Thanks for the help, also found some good info over at Caswell.
http://forum.caswellplating.com/
The internet rocks for great info.

If you get your information from one place you have plagiarized, if you get it from many sources it research.

 

[KCHOTBOAT]

Here is a link.
http://www.caswellplating.com/buffs/buffman.htm