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General => Cosmetic and bodywork matters => Topic started by: Mikester on 17 May 2009, 13:20

Title: Mirror Polishing Aluminium
Post by: Mikester on 17 May 2009, 13:20

Ok, I want to mirror polish my TT comps. Im fairly confident with all of the process but unsure on what to get for the final polishing.

Once i have stripped the laquer, and paint i will sand them smooth, and then work my way up to 120grit, use wet n dry until i get to 2500 and smooth with no lines from the previous grit. Thats fine.

Then i need to get some polishing equipment to use with a drill to get them to shine as a mirror. I have read many threads over google about this bu unsure what to buy. Would this do the job?

http://nextday.diy.com/app/jsp/product/productPage.jsp?productId=75331

I want them to be a good polish but unsure what to buy.

Cheers

Mike

Title: Re: Mirror Polishing Aluminium
Post by: Mikester on 18 May 2009, 15:50

Anyone!?! Come on. lol

Title: Re: Mirror Polishing Aluminium
Post by: eightyeightmph on 18 May 2009, 19:02

Heres some pics of me doing a mates wheels for his Scirocco, you need an alloy wheel polishing kit & to decide how you finish them, either a sealant wax (which needs reguarly applications to protect the metal) or lacquer (which looks great for ages if applied properly but when it cracks & water gets behind it you have to start alll over again) :rolleyes:

http://s100.photobucket.com/albums/m12/eightyeightmph/J285%20NNV/?start=40

Before;
(http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m12/eightyeightmph/J285%20NNV/DSC00694.jpg)

After;
(http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m12/eightyeightmph/J285%20NNV/DSC00705.jpg)

This is the kit I used;

http://thepolishingshop.co.uk/acatalog/Standard_Polishing_Kits.html
(last item on page)

Also used Belgom Alu as the sealant rather than lacquer, hope that helps! :afro:

Title: Re: Mirror Polishing Aluminium
Post by: Mikester on 18 May 2009, 20:23

Cheers, kit is ordered. Will post up my progress with them when i get onto it.

Title: Re: Mirror Polishing Aluminium
Post by: Mikester on 24 May 2009, 22:11

How fast were you using the drill, i have got these fairly polished but its making the mop black, and the bar black.

and i cant seem to get it to shine like a mirror. I sanded them smooth to 1200grit before i started to buff it.

I have been polishing the wheel for maybe 3 hours. Obviously doing something wrong or maybe a need a softer compound to finish it off? With a new mop?

Title: Re: Mirror Polishing Aluminium
Post by: eightyeightmph on 25 May 2009, 23:01

Hmm, just kept going really, sounds like you might be being a bit heavy handed with the amount of polish, less is more! ;)

Could always give the guys at the polish shop a bell, friendly lot that pointed me in the right direction. :)

Title: Re: Mirror Polishing Aluminium
Post by: wag,en,volks on 29 May 2009, 10:06

without seeing the wheels and equipment your using in the flesh its difficult to pinpoint the problem,
But at a guess ,
your drill aint powerfull/fast enough (it is a drill after all not a polishing machine!),
you aint using the right mops or compounds in the right order ,
Its the first time you have done it and your expecting a mirror finish  :shocked:
post some pics of where you are and i will help out if i can,