Alluminum Polishing

[hifi875]

Brush it and clear it and be done

[kttrucks]

try using a finer polish.... ( you may have done this already...) but I've found that some polishes are inconsistent and can actually cause scratches in softer alloys.... that paste polishes in particular. Microfiber is very very soft... but if it's contaminated it can hold on to debris and cause what you're seeing as well... they're cheap and available so try using a "new" or freshly washed one for your aluminum and billet parts.... then after one use relegate them to different uses that dont matter so much.

JMHO

KT.

[rwhite692]

On Aluminum I like the Mothers polish and old, 100% cotton under T-shirts, or any old T-shirt that is 100% cotton so long as they do not have any printing on them.

[JayR]

Originally Posted by kttrucks

try using a finer polish.... ( you may have done this already...) but I've found that some polishes are inconsistent and can actually cause scratches in softer alloys.... that paste polishes in particular. Microfiber is very very soft... but if it's contaminated it can hold on to debris and cause what you're seeing as well... they're cheap and available so try using a "new" or freshly washed one for your aluminum and billet parts.... then after one use relegate them to different uses that dont matter so much.

JMHO

KT.

That's ALL good advice right there. There are softer grades of micro-fiber as well and I've used some royal blue ones that are super soft. Liquid polish with a solvent base works really well and there are different grades just like paint polishes so experiment and shop around. You might also try a cordless drill if you aren't getting what you want by hand.

Any kind of cotton or even terry cloth short of a robe stolen from the Ritz-Carlton is way too aggressive for the final shine on aluminum. Fine for getting the process started just like wetsanding with 600 grit before you go to 1000 but never finish with cotton.

After you get them polished, wax them or use a sealer like that from Master Formula to help preserve the shine and then use a wax as you dry type product on your parts after every washing.

If you're just getting sick of the tedious labor, the various shapes of Mother's Powerballs with a higher quality polish is hard to beat in effort vs results.

Chrome is obviously zero maintenance but I think aluminum has a much richer shine because chrome is only as thick as the plating but aluminum is all the way through.

In the end, if you aren't competing for the Ridler, just go out and drive it until you get some scratches and chips so you aren't agonizing over fine scratches left from polishing.

[bigtyme1]

Originally Posted by JayR

That's ALL good advice right there. There are softer grades of micro-fiber as well and I've used some royal blue ones that are super soft. Liquid polish with a solvent base works really well and there are different grades just like paint polishes so experiment and shop around. You might also try a cordless drill if you aren't getting what you want by hand.

Any kind of cotton or even terry cloth short of a robe stolen from the Ritz-Carlton is way too aggressive for the final shine on aluminum. Fine for getting the process started just like wetsanding with 600 grit before you go to 1000 but never finish with cotton.

After you get them polished, wax them or use a sealer like that from Master Formula to help preserve the shine and then use a wax as you dry type product on your parts after every washing.

If you're just getting sick of the tedious labor, the various shapes of Mother's Powerballs with a higher quality polish is hard to beat in effort vs results.

Chrome is obviously zero maintenance but I think aluminum has a much richer shine because chrome is only as thick as the plating but aluminum is all the way through.

In the end, if you aren't competing for the Ridler, just go out and drive it until you get some scratches and chips so you aren't agonizing over fine scratches left from polishing.

Thanks Jason, trust me I'm driving alot, Got about 1000 miles on it so far. I'm just trying to perfect it for goodguys next weekend. I'm using mothers polish for now. Got a ball as well. See you soon..

[rwhite692]

So, before the advent of microfiber towels, I guess no aluminum got polished?

[GregWeld]

Originally Posted by rwhite692

So, before the advent of microfiber towels, I guess no aluminum got polished?

Not true! I used to disassemble mine and stick it in the freezer... then licked it.

[Jim Nilsen]

For most cleanup I use those blue shop towels and Mothers or some other aluminum polish. Microfiber towels work well too but they seem to not hold the compund the way the blue shop towels do thus making the towel more able to polish longer.

I have also found that the finish last a lot longer if it is mirror polished to start with.

I have a lot of aluminum and some of it just gets the scotchbrite treatment for the finish and the cleaning, it is near impossible to keep it looking perfect and if you can't live with it you should paint it!

[wmhjr]

Originally Posted by rwhite692

So, before the advent of microfiber towels, I guess no aluminum got polished?

???

Like I said, I find microfiber is NOT the best solution for that really mirror finish billet. It looks soft, it feels soft, but it's too porous and ends up not being able to eliminate the finest of scratches for the REALLY high and deep gloss mirror finishes. I've got pieces that I would never EVER touch with microfiber. I frankly try not to touch them at all. The blue shop towels to me are also too "fibery", if that's a word. There is still paper in them and it scratches in my experience. The key for me is to use very very mild polish, a very soft white fine polishing cloth, and an extremely light touch. Aluminum is just so soft.

[elitecustombody]

^ I agreee about blue shop towels, they would only ruin polished finisn on my daily driver, I simply use compressed air to get most of the dust off and lightly wipe down with soft microfiber towel.

For anyone that wants maintenance-free durable polished finish,spray Glisten PC made by POR15