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whiteworks
10-04-2007, 12:17 PM
I have a peice of aluminum that is a little rough, what sequence of sand paper should I use before I polish it out?
JBB
10-04-2007, 12:20 PM
I have a peice of aluminum that is a little rough, what sequence of sand paper should I use before I polish it out?

How rough?.....I have started on parts I have done with 80 grit......and worked up

If it was a previously polished piece......and just got ugly looking ....whatever grit that will take out any scratches......400....then up to 1500...then I put it on the wheel..aluminum is pretty forgiving
whiteworks
10-04-2007, 12:37 PM
slightly pitted looks like it may have been bead blasted
JBB
10-04-2007, 12:40 PM
slightly pitted looks like it may have been bead blasted

The idea is to start with the finest grit that will remove any scratches or pitts in a reasonable amount of time....If you have a wheel setup....sand out deep scratches and level any pitts......and start with the grey wheel compound...
RiverDave
10-04-2007, 02:40 PM
White Works, do you just have to polish one part? or is there a series?

RD
Nord
10-04-2007, 07:42 PM
Dave should know..............I'm getting stickers made for the site shortly.. ;) "Brushed Aluminum"

RD
whiteworks
10-04-2007, 08:09 PM
it turned out pretty good didnt get to crazy trying to make it perfect just cleaned it up a bit. polishing aluminum is a bitch.
http://www.hotboat.com/image_center/data/500/airbox2.jpghttp://www.hotboat.com/image_center/data/500/airbox1.jpg
Racey
10-05-2007, 08:35 AM
it turned out pretty good didnt get to crazy trying to make it perfect just cleaned it up a bit. polishing aluminum is a bitch.
http://www.hotboat.com/image_center/data/500/airbox2.jpghttp://www.hotboat.com/image_center/data/500/airbox1.jpg

Whenever i hand polish aluminum (though usually i'm doing it on parts i can turn in the lathe) i'll use some good wet/dry paper with wd-40, keep the paper and part wet, it helps stop clogging of the paper and really improves the time it takes to polish out.
RiverDave
10-05-2007, 10:22 AM
it turned out pretty good didnt get to crazy trying to make it perfect just cleaned it up a bit. polishing aluminum is a bitch.
http://www.hotboat.com/image_center/data/500/airbox2.jpghttp://www.hotboat.com/image_center/data/500/airbox1.jpg

Yes.. Yes it is, one of the few parts of metal working I genuinely do not enjoy. I tend to just take everything to a local guy becuase it's not worth my time and frustration.

RD