kennylane Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 With the collective experience here, surely someone has identified an effective way to restore aluminum diamond plate. I know I've had little luck finding a product that works. Let's hear what method you guys have discovered. Quote Character is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching. Kenny Lane Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/10727-cleaningpolishing-aluminum-diamond-plate/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobby Covert Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 I haven't done diamond plate, but I have done the radiator and headlight panels on my B615. Use sandpaper of a fine grit (150) and do it again finer. Followup with some metal polish and buffer or dremel if you have one. You can see my pictures on my gallery Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/10727-cleaningpolishing-aluminum-diamond-plate/#findComment-40622 Share on other sites More sharing options...
other dog Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 I've used a product called "Zephyr"-I think. I know it starts with a 'z', and they sell it at Truck Enterprises. It works good on tanks and wheels, and won't work you to death.If the aluminum is really bad to start with a lot of the guys get a "brick" and put a polishing wheel on a grinder and go over it. The brick is jewelers rouge I believe, and it comes in different colors-white, green, and brown-for different levels of abrasiveness. Once you polish it with this it's easy to keep shiny with the Zephyr, or something similar.I googled zephyr,found this site-http://www.zephyrpro40.com/s2/Scripts/default.asp?_vsrefdom=SwiftSolutionthey have the polish, buffing wheels, rouge-everything. Quote Producer of poorly photo-chopped pictures since 1999. Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/10727-cleaningpolishing-aluminum-diamond-plate/#findComment-40624 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 I've used a product called "Zephyr"-I think. I know it starts with a 'z', and they sell it at Truck Enterprises. It works good on tanks and wheels, and won't work you to death.If the aluminum is really bad to start with a lot of the guys get a "brick" and put a polishing wheel on a grinder and go over it. The brick is jewelers rouge I believe, and it comes in different colors-white, green, and brown-for different levels of abrasiveness. Once you polish it with this it's easy to keep shiny with the Zephyr, or something similar.I googled zephyr,found this site-http://www.zephyrpro40.com/s2/Scripts/default.asp?_vsrefdom=SwiftSolutionthey have the polish, buffing wheels, rouge-everything.That is a good method to use as Tom has posted and is easier to use. The brown rouge block is the more abrasive. I have gone with a chemical that can be poured on aluminum and just wash it off. If you would like to look into this their is a company called Eastwood that I have bought from that has great supplies for all of your needs. You might go on the web and search for this company. I just recently got their catalog. I have used this company back in the early 90's. Or you can go to your local body shop and inquire of help with your project.I would not grind on aluminum because it heats up the metal too much. regardsmike Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/10727-cleaningpolishing-aluminum-diamond-plate/#findComment-40628 Share on other sites More sharing options...
other dog Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 That is a good method to use as Tom has posted and is easier to use. The brown rouge block is the more abrasive. I have gone with a chemical that can be poured on aluminum and just wash it off. If you would like to look into this their is a company called Eastwood that I have bought from that has great supplies for all of your needs. You might go on the web and search for this company. I just recently got their catalog. I have used this company back in the early 90's. Or you can go to your local body shop and inquire of help with your project.I would not grind on aluminum because it heats up the metal too much. regardsmikeThe buffing wheels that fit on the grinder are cloth-you just turn the grinder on and run it on the brick of rouge, then turn it sideways to polish so just the edge of the buffing wheel contacts the metal you're polishing. You don't need to put much pressure on it. Should work good on the diamond plate, but as I said you could probably get by with the aluminum polish, some rags, and a lot of elbow grease unless it's really bad to start with, then the buffing wheel might be the best way to go. They make smaller wheels that fit in a drill too. Quote Producer of poorly photo-chopped pictures since 1999. Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/10727-cleaningpolishing-aluminum-diamond-plate/#findComment-40631 Share on other sites More sharing options...
kennylane Posted September 20, 2009 Author Share Posted September 20, 2009 OK thanks guys. I'll look into some of your ideas. I spent 18 years in another career doing auto body repair and painting so I'm very familiar with the use of buffers. I thing my problem has been that I've not been using the right product on the pad. Fell free to weigh in if you have other ideas. Quote Character is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching. Kenny Lane Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/10727-cleaningpolishing-aluminum-diamond-plate/#findComment-40633 Share on other sites More sharing options...
vanscottbuilders Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 The key to metal polishing is to let the polish do the work.If the aluminum is corroded and etched bad enough to need sandpaperand abrasive buffing, those are steps that take place prior to polishing,obviously.One of the little tricks that I have seen used on diamond plate, which is a little more difficult to shine than polishing flat stock, is to use a piece of a good thick carpet. A scrap about 8" square is manageable. Almost any brand name polish is fine. Just keep rubbing. The blacker the residue, the better job you are doing. Mother's has a couple of "Powerball" foam polishing tools available for use in a cordless drill. These are a big help, although they don't last too long on the diamond plate.Polishing metal is a pretty rewarding job. The results are always good to see. But - After finishing one of Jimmy's W-900's recently - I like my all painted Macks pretty well!Paul Van Scott Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/10727-cleaningpolishing-aluminum-diamond-plate/#findComment-40638 Share on other sites More sharing options...
kennylane Posted September 20, 2009 Author Share Posted September 20, 2009 The key to metal polishing is to let the polish do the work.If the aluminum is corroded and etched bad enough to need sandpaperand abrasive buffing, those are steps that take place prior to polishing,obviously.One of the little tricks that I have seen used on diamond plate, which is a little more difficult to shine than polishing flat stock, is to use a piece of a good thick carpet. A scrap about 8" square is manageable. Almost any brand name polish is fine. Just keep rubbing. The blacker the residue, the better job you are doing. Mother's has a couple of "Powerball" foam polishing tools available for use in a cordless drill. These are a big help, although they don't last too long on the diamond plate.Polishing metal is a pretty rewarding job. The results are always good to see. But - After finishing one of Jimmy's W-900's recently - I like my all painted Macks pretty well!Paul Van ScottYea Paul I have found that the diamond plate eats up pretty much everything in the form of a pad if you use it on a buffer or drill. I really wish that my truck had been all steel so that I could paint too. Quote Character is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching. Kenny Lane Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/10727-cleaningpolishing-aluminum-diamond-plate/#findComment-40641 Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWJ2Mack Posted September 23, 2009 Share Posted September 23, 2009 Kenny, one of the best polishes I have found for this task is "Flitz" and alot and I mean alot of elbow grease... Good Luck... Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/10727-cleaningpolishing-aluminum-diamond-plate/#findComment-40775 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Rider Posted September 24, 2009 Share Posted September 24, 2009 I use the purple stuff. East used it and tried the Panelite polish and the purple was easier and faster. Quote #1 on A-model registryIf I drink because of work, why can't I drink at work? Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/10727-cleaningpolishing-aluminum-diamond-plate/#findComment-40889 Share on other sites More sharing options...
b95bill Posted September 24, 2009 Share Posted September 24, 2009 Kenny,Most Mack firetrucks have satin finish diamond plate,this will not shine as nice as other diamond plate.Good Luck in your search.B95 Bill Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/10727-cleaningpolishing-aluminum-diamond-plate/#findComment-40891 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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