Caswell Inc. Metal Finishing Forums - Metal Polishing Questions http://forum.caswellplating.com/ Discussion Board For metal polishing questions. en Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:41:41 GMT vBulletin 60 http://forum.caswellplating.com/images/misc/rss.jpg Caswell Inc. Metal Finishing Forums - Metal Polishing Questions http://forum.caswellplating.com/ Aluminum Restoration for 1969 Honda CB750 http://forum.caswellplating.com/metal-polishing-questions/10785-aluminum-restoration-1969-honda-cb750.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:33:22 GMT Hi,

This is my first post, so let me introduce myself. I'm Blake from Georgia. I've been lurking, reading, and experimenting for a little while now. Thanks to all you guys who have been so generous with your experiences and opinions, and to Caswell for hosting the forum.

I've had some success with basic aluminum polishing, so now I want to get down to business. I'm restoring a 1969 Honda CB750 and I want to get the aluminum engine covers as close to factory spec as possible. At that time Honda was producing more bikes in a month than most manufactures were producing in a year. So a very basic satin / brushed finished was used. The finishers didn't even knock off all the casting marks or bother to get in the crevices or bolt recesses. They just hit the visible areas with some type of abrasive tool and then clear coated the piece. But they were working with a freshly cast part, so the finish was nice none the less. Below is a picture of a perfect example of a CB750 rear wheel. You can see the brushed finish marks running in different directions on different areas and the "bumpy" rough cast areas as well. Even though it was a quick process, the piece came out nice and bright. Fast forward to today, I want to achieve the same finish, but I now have to deal with 40 years of oxidation and corrosion in every nook and cranny. I know it can be done because I’ve seen other very nicely restored bikes. The key is to not “over restore”. My main goals are to do it right and to do it myself. If any of you pros out there would share how you would approach this project if it were brought to your shop, I would greatly appreciate it.

Tools that I have readily available are:
1 hp, 1800 rpm buffer w/pedestal
Expander wheel with 3M Trizact belts of various grits
Sisal, Spiral Sewn, and Loose buffs, 10" & 12"
Emory, Tripoli, and White compounds
Large ultrasonic cleaner w/ Bransonic buffing compound removal solution
¼” die grinder

I’m open to buying new tools or supplies to do the job right, so let the suggestions fly.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version Name: 1969_honda_cb750+wheel_hub.jpg Views: N/A Size: 47.4 KB ID: 1811  
]]> Metal Polishing Questions blake255 http://forum.caswellplating.com/metal-polishing-questions/10785-aluminum-restoration-1969-honda-cb750.html <![CDATA[2" 1/4" shank wheels]]> http://forum.caswellplating.com/metal-polishing-questions/10772-2-1-4-shank-wheels.html Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:40:35 GMT Hey where can I find some smaller wheels in a decent quantity? Preferable 1.5-2" with a 1/4" shank? Checked caswell, found 3" but nuttin' smaller. ]]> Metal Polishing Questions woodjames http://forum.caswellplating.com/metal-polishing-questions/10772-2-1-4-shank-wheels.html <![CDATA[Hey I'm new]]> http://forum.caswellplating.com/metal-polishing-questions/10738-hey-im-new.html Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:51:25 GMT What's up everyone, I'm new to the forum and just wanted to say hey. Hopefully I posted this in the right section! ]]> Metal Polishing Questions Fueniutranuak http://forum.caswellplating.com/metal-polishing-questions/10738-hey-im-new.html How to get rid of Fine scratches caused by buffing http://forum.caswellplating.com/metal-polishing-questions/10712-how-get-rid-fine-scratches-caused-buffing.html Thu, 05 Nov 2009 01:19:34 GMT Hey all. I have a small buisness making billet serpentine pulleys and other accesories for dodge dakotas. I'm having a HELL of a time getting these fine scratches out of the work piece. Im sanding them in the lathe after machining then sanding them by hand quickly in the opposite direction, then i use a black compound on sisal wheel until all the little ridges and nooks and crannys are smooth, switch to a sisal with white compound on it to shine it up a bit. Then i go to a flannel wheel with red, Then finally finish with blue.

The picture is of the small "scratches". They are definatly not left over from the sanding as the scratches follow the way im buffing it

Any suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated, this is driving me nuts



The scratches im talking about are at the 5 o'clock and 12 position ]]> Metal Polishing Questions deanler http://forum.caswellplating.com/metal-polishing-questions/10712-how-get-rid-fine-scratches-caused-buffing.html My New Polisher (chapter two) http://forum.caswellplating.com/metal-polishing-questions/10697-my-new-polisher-chapter-two.html Sat, 31 Oct 2009 04:22:59 GMT I posted this photograph here almost two years ago:



and said I was going to make a polisher out of it. Well, at last:



I found a two horse motor on Craigs List. I re-poured the bearings and it does great. Ten inch wheels turn at 2500 rpm.

R ]]> Metal Polishing Questions Rasper http://forum.caswellplating.com/metal-polishing-questions/10697-my-new-polisher-chapter-two.html Where have the metal polishers gone? http://forum.caswellplating.com/metal-polishing-questions/10689-where-have-metal-polishers-gone.html Fri, 30 Oct 2009 02:47:54 GMT There has been a noticeable decrease in metal polishing posts here. Have the once regular polishers lost interest? Or is this just a lull in the natural rhythm of things? Anyone else noticed this? I miss reading the posts by guys such as mpierich. I haven't seen him for ages. He used to post almost every day.

R ]]> Metal Polishing Questions Rasper http://forum.caswellplating.com/metal-polishing-questions/10689-where-have-metal-polishers-gone.html