Aluminum Polishing Question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Snatch BC
Aluminum Polishing Question
I have just finished polishing my Plenum and Fuel Rails and now was just about to start on the Runners. I was wondering what tools are required to sand down the Runners, is there some special bit I should use on the end of my drill? I have started hand sanding them but cant seem to remove all the casting marks. If anyone has done this and could give me some tips that would be great.
Thanks
Thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
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From: San Pedro CA
I think you will find a steel brush on a bench grinder is a good start... also, a dremel will be real helpful.
when you are done, protect the finish, there are a couple of things out there... one called Zoop Seal, and another called "Snake Skin" (I think).
when you are done, protect the finish, there are a couple of things out there... one called Zoop Seal, and another called "Snake Skin" (I think).
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 868
Likes: 5
I use those sanding wheels they look like flappers,I use them on a air cut off tool with different sizes and grits.They have worked great for me and I have done around 5 or so TPIs.I knock the cast down with that and then finish with hand sanding and then polish to a mirror shine.
Jason
Jason
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,386
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While we're discussing the issue of polishing aluminum, I've taken the time to polish a few of my suspension pieces to a mirror like finish with the help of Mother's Aluminum Polish. This stuff works great, however I hope someone can reassure me that the aluminum suspension pieces weren't coated with some kind of protective coating(?). I've meant to ask this for a while due to the fact that wheels have a clear coating on them which protects them. I'm hoping this doesn't apply to suspension pieces. If so, I might be coughing up some extra dough for new ones. 
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 18,727
Likes: 711
From: Bergen County, NJ
Originally Posted by 1985 Corvette
While we're discussing the issue of polishing aluminum, I've taken the time to polish a few of my suspension pieces to a mirror like finish with the help of Mother's Aluminum Polish. This stuff works great, however I hope someone can reassure me that the aluminum suspension pieces weren't coated with some kind of protective coating(?). I've meant to ask this for a while due to the fact that wheels have a clear coating on them which protects them. I'm hoping this doesn't apply to suspension pieces. If so, I might be coughing up some extra dough for new ones.
Now, if the aluminum has a coating, the rag will not turn black, that's how you can tell if its coated.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Flapper wheels are good;the softer scothbrite pads on a die grinder work well in taking down rough cast. Have you tried a sisal wheel? Those are also helpful. There's a company called TarHeel parts that will actually tell you what you need and their prices are very reasonable, as it's too easy to waste money on stuff you may not use. Ask me, I've got boxes of 'experimental stuff. Sorry, no link as I'm an internet moron. 
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Pro
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Oregon
Originally Posted by bogus
I think you will find a steel brush on a bench grinder is a good start... also, a dremel will be real helpful.
when you are done, protect the finish, there are a couple of things out there... one called Zoop Seal, and another called "Snake Skin" (I think).
when you are done, protect the finish, there are a couple of things out there... one called Zoop Seal, and another called "Snake Skin" (I think).
I've heard that Zoop Seal is a good product from a couple of people. You have to make sure that what you are going to seal better be the way you like it because you can't repolish it once it's sealed.
I'm not sure if there's a remover or not. I also saw this advertized and used on Trucks! tv. $120. or so for enough to do 4 wheels.
Merry Christmas
Safety Car
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 3,651
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From: Atlantis
Cruise-In I Veteran
Put your real Vette runners up and go get yourself a set off a Camaro.
They are already smoother and a LOT easier to polish.
The Vette runners are cast alum. and a lot harder than the tube ones on the F-Body cars.
They are already smoother and a LOT easier to polish.
The Vette runners are cast alum. and a lot harder than the tube ones on the F-Body cars.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,386
Likes: 534
Originally Posted by Wayne88
I believe that when using Mothers Alum Polish, the rag [applicator] turns black while you rub it on.
Now, if the aluminum has a coating, the rag will not turn black, that's how you can tell if its coated.
Now, if the aluminum has a coating, the rag will not turn black, that's how you can tell if its coated.
Oh yeah, I get tons of the black residue when polishing up the suspension pieces. Thanks, that's one less thing I have to worry about.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,324
Likes: 250
From: Summerland B.C. Canada
No air or power tool is going to do a great job on the sanding the tubes because they leave flat spots. The plenum is a cake walk compared to the tubes. I haven't done alot of aluminum polishing, but enough to make it look good. I used strips of emery clothe to sand my tubes, using the shoe shine technique . That almost sounds like a real technique 
You can sand a good third of the surface area with each pass. Pulling the clothe on a slight angle and constantly moving up and down the tube will yield good results. Work your way down to 2500 wet and dry paper followed by a polish and you will be happy with the results. If you have a buffing wheel and compounds you can make it look like chrome. I was going to do mine but the dents in them and the crappy valve cover castings made me change my way of thinking. I went with paint and polished pieces. I love it 
You can sand a good third of the surface area with each pass. Pulling the clothe on a slight angle and constantly moving up and down the tube will yield good results. Work your way down to 2500 wet and dry paper followed by a polish and you will be happy with the results. If you have a buffing wheel and compounds you can make it look like chrome. I was going to do mine but the dents in them and the crappy valve cover castings made me change my way of thinking. I went with paint and polished pieces. I love it
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Lake Wylie SC
Originally Posted by AGENT 86
I was going to do mine but the dents in them and the crappy valve cover castings made me change my way of thinking. I went with paint and polished pieces. I love it
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Snatch BC
Originally Posted by Strick
It took a little work, but those crappy valve covers can look like this:
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Database Error Indiana
Strick, every time I see those pics Im amazed. Awsome. Had to be more than "a little" work!
Black Vette, The covers are magnesium, the coating is not just paint, its alluminum coating. Paint stripper wont disolve it.
Black Vette, The covers are magnesium, the coating is not just paint, its alluminum coating. Paint stripper wont disolve it.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,672
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From: Lake Wylie SC
Spankyellow and BlackVett,
I removed the paint with glass beads. This revealed some of the casting flaws which, I think, GM decided paint over with the textured paint. I then started with 500 grit and worked my way up to 1500 and then used a buffing wheel on a drill with some compound and finally Mother's Mag and Aluminum polish. There are still some areas that have a flaw or two, but the over all look is really an improvement.
I removed the paint with glass beads. This revealed some of the casting flaws which, I think, GM decided paint over with the textured paint. I then started with 500 grit and worked my way up to 1500 and then used a buffing wheel on a drill with some compound and finally Mother's Mag and Aluminum polish. There are still some areas that have a flaw or two, but the over all look is really an improvement.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 495
Likes: 0
From: berwick pennsylvania
its really not hard to polish aluminum. sheet and bar stock are a piecs of cake. cast takes time to get all the roughness out. scotchbrite pads for the 4" grinder work great with out leaving gouges.
7th Gear
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 7
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From: livermore ca
Ive polished alot of aluminum over the years & the bottom line is that it is alot of work but the end result is worth it...anyway, heres a link to one of the places I get alot of my compounds & wheels....The kits will get you started....Buffing & Polishing
Heres a tutorial on the same site which is very helpful for the newbie:
Tutorial
another tut for wheels wheel polishing tutorial
Good Luck
Heres a tutorial on the same site which is very helpful for the newbie:
Tutorial
another tut for wheels wheel polishing tutorial
Good Luck