Aluminium polishing.

[Timmyb]

Just thought I'd share some pics and details for anyone interested. We recently purchased a DC super shine polishing kit. It's well worth the money! We just polished up a 20 yo bullbar and the results are pretty good.

Was pretty pitted but a quick sand back gave it a nice clean look. We could of sanded it back more but it's a working truck. Started at 400 then 800 then pre polish orange wheel and compound followed by white wheel and matching compound. 

[Timmyb]

I want to ad that I have experienced probably the best customer service from these guys too. 

Here is a pic of my brothers fuel tanks. 

[HarryS]

Wow! Turned out real nice.

[alex g]

That's a great job and seems to be a great product

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[Timmyb]

Yeah it's a great product and easy to use. I used a 9" angle grinder cause to get desired results you need 6000rpm. Most polishers only go to 3000rpm. You have to hold on tight! Sure has some kick. 

[Underdog]

I hate to brag, but I been working on my MH tanks a bit too.(since you guys opened up the topic)
Here's a good before/after picture.

[Timmyb]

All is welcome. Very noticeable difference! It's dirty work but worth it for end result. 

[carlotpilot]

impressive stuff ` dc supershine    is that a du thing or widely available?

[Timmyb]

I just ordered off their website. They are based in the USA, so it's probably easier for you guys to get it. They have a few YouTube videos so you can pick it up pretty easy. 

[Swishy]

Hi guys

U could try this local joker in Oz (right side of Oz)

[url=http://www.premieroneproducts.com.au]

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Cya

§wishy

Edited January 11, 2017 by Swishy

[Vladislav]

Timmy, it looks outstanding 

Observing what you have done with the truck on my 'puter I'm really impressed.

Of all the stuff I could find locally the best result was achieved with 3M Marine Polisher, and I'm not satisfied with it.

Not bright as hell and difficult to work with. Hand polishing is the only way. So I will try to put my hands on something more successful.

 

Edited January 12, 2017 by Vladislav

[Vladislav]

[ranchhopper]

That tank looks like mine on the RS when I polished it out since they were never polished at the factory they need to be sanded with 800 grit them buff them again to make them like a mirror.

Edited January 11, 2017 by ranchhopper

[Timmyb]

Vlad, that's a nice looking tank. I think ranch hopper is right, if it's never been polished before then you might need to sand it back first. We were lucky as most of the aluminium on our trucks was polished at the factory so it's just maintaining it. And a lot of it is trial and error. 

[Vladislav]

Guys, my trouble with that tank was in a different ball park. It was never polished before indeed. And lots of pitting as a follow. Starting from that point I ordered one of my boys with a grinder to sand all off. He started from 120 grit but had to step back to 60. Spent no less than 3 days getting tonns of alu dust until the most of cavits were gone. Probably sanded off something like 0.3 - 0.5 mm of the wall thickness. Than he followed with all sand papers step by step. That time I went for a trip for a couple of weeks. Found him still sanding when back home! Finally he ended up with 2000 paper having almost no scratches, pitting and so on.

But when it was a time to polish that aluminium showed its character. I couldn't do anything with it by common "green" stuff and applied the mentioned above 3M paste I had very good results on Alcoa wheels. It turned out as good as you can see. Nothing better. You have to apply the paste with a piece of cloth. You start rubbing it and found it gets brighter. But the paste becomes to be a black stuff at the same time. So you have to remove all the rest of it until it dries. If you dont it sticks to the surface and the only way to remove is 2000 sand paper. Just a nightmare. 

Sure I made research on the materials to polish aluminium which are in stock overhere and found nothing to work better so far. Going to try order something else from the States or other country. But there are difficulties with importing liquid stuff. 

[harrybarbon]

Vlad

We have been having same issues polishing our aluminium storage/step boxes. We have first sanded the rough metal and then used the wheels with the 4 grade polishing bars. The steps with the perforated plate and sides and edges came out with mirror like shine. However the flat plate no good, all looks like milky finish. we found out the wheels are not right for the flat or rounded plate like your tanks. wasted a lot of time and no result, awful actually.

Fortunately a guy who makes and polishes old aircraft wings showed us the way.

First you need a dual pad orbital polishing machine, baby nappies to wrap around the pads, the nappies are polishing not the pads and the nappies can be replaced and use different nappies for each compound grade. He has lent his polishing machine - cyclotoolmakers.

Buy the 4 grades of NUVITE polishing paste/compound, not cheap but excellent product and works on stainless steel as well.

We have started using the Nuvite and after 30 minutes with the polishing machine great result - we will get a mirror finish

[ranchhopper]

Another tip spray the tank down with brake cleaner and wipe off it takes all the black aluminum oxide out of the pits and will lighten the aluminum up a bit then use a good car wax to seal it up.

[Vladislav]

Thanks on the advices. Will try some more efforts in the future.

My second tank is in the waiting line.

[harrybarbon]

I worked on our aluminium storage boxes this weekend. 1 end side had a number of scratches and 3 long bumps maybe 3 inches where the internal support bracket was welded. Not happy with my previous poor result using the polishing wheel and bar polish,  I decided to re-sand the end side with a Bosch circular sander that has the velcro sand paper, got nearly all the scratches and leveled the weld bumps.

Using the cyclo double head polishing machine, separate double cotton nappies wrapped around the twin pads (to protect the pads) for each of the 4 Nuvite pastes, the final polish is mirror finish - so good I could shave with a razor. Plus a small amount of Nuvite goes a long way, expensive but damn good.

Time permitting after work hours I hope to finish 1 box next week, then I will post pictures

 

 

[Underdog]

I hate to brag, but I been working on my MH tanks a bit too.(since you guys opened up the topic)
Here's a good before/after picture.

Finished product installed back on the truck over last weekend. For a working truck, I am happy with the result.

[Timmyb]

Looks great. A job well done!

[Kansas farmer]

impressive stuff ` dc supershine    is that a du thing or widely available?

I follow them on fb. They re based in Canada. He does some awesome work.


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[carlotpilot]

I checked the web site and watched their video that to was impressive `6000 rpm buffer worked like a charm .I may order one of their polish only kits and give it a try . I have some diamond plate that i want to try to shine up that stuff just may work  i`ve never had much luck before with dp` it just seemed to labor intensive to to get any decent looking finish

[harrybarbon]

I am going to have a go with the Cyclo buffer and the Nuvite compounds on my 2 storage box lids - maybe tomorrow, if not by next Tuesday, so will post my results with a picture, test will be how the cotton nappy sheets will perform on the alloy checkerplate, if a few are chewed but the result is good then worth the effort -

[rryanmon]

Looks good. I might try that DC Super Shine product next time.