Author Topic: How to polish aluminum to a high luster  (Read 1374 times)

Offline Mopar Thunder

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How to polish aluminum to a high luster
« on: October 16, 2014 - 12:04:50 PM »
Ok I am going to take on a project over the winter. I am planning on polishing some billet aluminum.  I am looking for guidance/advice.  I have done some checking and this is what I found out;

1. Clean item using hot water and dishwashing soap.

2. Rinse the item with water. Dry with a clean, nonabrasive cloth

3. Apply a degreaser to a nonabrasive cloth or towel. Wipe with the degreaser-soaked cloth or towel.
 
4. Clean off any excess degreaser.
 
Sanding:

1.  Dip a piece of 320-grit sandpaper into water and sand lightly. Keeping the piece of sandpaper wet at all times. Do not apply too much pressure.

2. Move to a 400-grit piece of sandpaper then 600 grit then 1000 grit keeping the sand paper wet at all times.

3. Once sanding is completed make sure the item is thoroughly clean.

Polishing:

1. Apply aluminum polish to a soft, nonabrasive cloth or towel. Wipe the billet aluminum with the polish-soaked cloth or towel. The polish should completely coat the item.
 
2.  Buff the item with a hand-held car buffer, wheel, or similiar in an even straight direction to remove any tiny scratches. Keep polishing the billet aluminum until the aluminum polish turns black.
 
3. Wipe down the item with a micro-fiber towel.
 
4. Apply a polishing compound to a soft, nonabrasive cloth or towel. Wipe the item with the compound-soaked cloth or towel. Keep polishing until the compound on the cloth or towel turns black. Finish polishing as desired.
 
Any other suggestions or recommendations? Thanks




Offline DocMel

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Re: How to polish aluminum to a high luster
« Reply #1 on: October 16, 2014 - 01:45:56 PM »
Bench grinder with a buffing wheel will polish aluminum in a few seconds w/o all that sanding.   Get the dif rouges, form rough to fine

Offline dutch

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Re: How to polish aluminum to a high luster
« Reply #2 on: October 16, 2014 - 03:58:16 PM »
 :iagree:

alu comes many grades.  If you have a soft type it polishes like crap.
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Offline Mopar Thunder

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Re: How to polish aluminum to a high luster
« Reply #3 on: October 16, 2014 - 08:57:36 PM »
I was told it is billet but I don't know the different kinds. It is a carb hat.

Offline DocMel

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Re: How to polish aluminum to a high luster
« Reply #4 on: October 17, 2014 - 09:24:39 AM »
Billet is easy to polish as I stated   Be aware, some aluminum has clear coat on it to prevent oxidation (think car trim or aluminum wheels), which is  somewhat a PIA to remove before you can polish

Offline burdar

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Re: How to polish aluminum to a high luster
« Reply #5 on: October 17, 2014 - 09:46:43 AM »
Most aluminum automotive trim is "anodized".  You have to sand off the anodizing before polishing.  A carb hat that was once already polished, probably isn't anodized.  You'll be able to tell as soon as you start buffing.  The part won't buff if it's anodized.

Offline 750-h2

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Re: How to polish aluminum to a high luster
« Reply #6 on: November 27, 2014 - 07:49:06 PM »
I have had good results by using heavy duty "Easy Off" oven cleaner to remove the anodized finish.