How to Polish Aluminum - Complete Guide by Mike Phillips

[Mike Phillips]

How to Polish Aluminum - Complete Guide by Mike Phillips

Here's a brand new how-to article on polishing aluminum

How to Polish Aluminum - Complete Guide by Mike Phillips

Here's before

Mike

 

[Setec Astronomy]

Wow, that was a lot of work! Did you polish right over that Aerovault applique lettering? I'd be afraid of lifting an edge--or is that actually painted on?

 

[Mike Phillips]

Wow, that was a lot of work! Did you polish right over that AeroVault applique lettering? I'd be afraid of lifting an edge--or is that actually painted on?

I don't normally, or like to cuss in the online world, but buffing out the aluminum on this trailer was a shit ton of work. Super dirty too. And I simply through away any of the foam pads I used for this project.

As for the vinyl graphics, I did buff over them after first TESTING to see how durable they would be and they seem to take licking and keep on ticking.

I don't normally like doing this type of work but the owner brings me a LOT of really expensive classic Ferraris to prep for concours events, so I do my best to take care of him.


1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa Detailed by Mike Phillips

Thanks for chiming in Mike.

 

[Setec Astronomy]

That was quite a comprehensive writeup. As you noted that kind of metal polishing is always so dirty. I've had a couple of cars where the wheel barrels weren't painted from the factory, and trying to keep them presentable was such a problem I wound up having the wheels refinished so I could have painted barrels. Of course I didn't know about Dr. Beasley's Metal Coat back then. I still have black splatter on my shop cabinets from last time I was polishing the back of one of those wheels.

 

[Mike Phillips]

That was quite a comprehensive writeup.

The original version came in at over 9000 words and I think 211 pictures. The article is actually being broken up into 3 different articles and different tools or methods for polishing aluminum, which is an option I wrote-for when writing the article.

I have the original here on the forum and at some point will finish editing it and then making it public.


Mike

 

[Mak]

Great article and information. Until I started working on refining and perfecting the finish of my bare aluminum Panoz, I never would have guessed it was so unforgiving and more difficult than paint. I would almost swear it seems to get those random micro-scratches, pigtails, and swirls even easier than paint. That nasty black residue makes such a mess and gets all over everything and practically ruins the pads and towels. I get more uses out of the foam but just can’t get the wool clean enough to have any fluff or resemblance to wool after a brief use and loading up with the black gunky oxidation residue.
Loving the corn starch tip…

 

[Sqeekykleen]

This is a fantastic and comprehensive write up. I have one question, though, when one polishes metal should one be wearing a respirator? The contaminants that are generated in the process are not good for someone to inhale. Something like this with cartridges attached, or even a 1/2 face respirator.