Polishing Block and Transmission

[NCRXSI]

I apologize if this has been ask, I have browsed around trying to find the info to avoid doing the typical newbie stuff...LOL

I am in the beginning of our rebuilding project and I have done a little (very little..lol) polishing of aluminum in the past. My question is, if I polish the aluminum engine block and transmission while I have it out of the car, will it discolor or turn purple in time?

The car will not be a daily driver, other than driving it to shows until we get a trailer.

Thanks for any help and insight and again, I apologize if this has been ask a million times and I was not able to find it.

Dean

[tomg552001]

Polished parts don't purple, i believe stainless and chrome does, but dont quote me on that. If you do decide to polish these parts, make sure you pickup a sealer, like zoops seal. It's exspensive, but from what i hear, its well worth it. Checkit out at zoopseal.com. If you do this post pics, it would be an awesome sight to see. Good luck!

[polishinginc]

I reccomend Zoopseal to all of my customers for polished steel and aluminum parts.

[NCRXSI]

Thanks for all the great information. I am starting to think I have gotten into a bigger job than I anticipated...lol But it'll all be worth it in the end. Thats what concerned me the most is sealing it once I've spent who knows how many hours to come polishing it all.

Then I received my new engine block this week and they sprayed with some type of clear coat sealer stuff.....only adding to the fun...lol

I'll have to check out the zoopseal as I don't have any specialty type tools like an infared dryer etc. This all being done in the home garage.

Thanks again for taking the time to share your information!

[NCRXSI]

Well, I have gotten a pretty good start on the transmission. I've been using 2" course and fine polishing disc with the air die grinder. Can't wait to start polishing this thing! Do any of you have any tips on getting into the smaller area's such as around the bolts? I've searched everywhere for some smaller type abrasive tools to no avail. I've tried the little drum sander for the dremal, but it seems to leave some nasty scratches. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

I may end up having to spend the $$$ on the zoopseal as I would hate to see this tarnish when its finished. Any input on the VHT Clear sold here on Caswell? Or would that not be something I would want to use to seal this up? Sorry for all the questions and the poor quality picture.

Thanks again,
Dean

[thesound]

You can get into those tight corners around the bolts with a felt bullet bob. Maybe even a mushroom bob in certain areas. Although if you're gonna use those, make sure you get some greaseless compounds to use with them, because black emery compound isn't strong enough to knock down the rough cast. Caswell sells all of that stuff.

Also, you gotta keep in mind that Zoop Seal is only guaranteed to last for 2 years. So unless you plan on yanking that tranny out within the next 2 years to repolish it, you might wanna go with a coating that's more permanent. Haven't used VHT myself but I hear it's pretty good. Hope that helps.

[NCRXSI]

Originally Posted by thesound

You can get into those tight corners around the bolts with a felt bullet bob. Maybe even a mushroom bob in certain areas. Although if you're gonna use those, make sure you get some greaseless compounds to use with them, because black emery compound isn't strong enough to knock down the rough cast. Caswell sells all of that stuff.

Also, you gotta keep in mind that Zoop Seal is only guaranteed to last for 2 years. So unless you plan on yanking that tranny out within the next 2 years to repolish it, you might wanna go with a coating that's more permanent. Haven't used VHT myself but I hear it's pretty good. Glisten PC from POR-15 is supposed to be pretty good too. Hope that helps.

Thanks for the reply. I ordered the polishing kit, but I'll have to order some greaseless compounds. (thanks for that info!) Yeah, I was reading more about the Glisten PC from POR-15 and I am looking at going with that.

[thesound]

No problem. By the way, I forgot to ask, what kind of engine and transmission are you polishing? I've never seen a tranny like the one in the pic you posted. Keep at it, you're off to a good start. With as many corners and tight radii that the thing has, if you got it blingin' really good it oughtta look like something sent from the gods. (Ahhhh, gotta love that rough cast...)

[NCRXSI]

Its an L3 tranny out of a Honda CRX. Doing the tranny and block (I think) LOL. Getting ready to wet sand the tranny this afternoon. Hopefully the felt bobs and 80 grit greaseless compound I ordered will get into what is left of the nooks and crannies. I've tried the dremel again last night, but I think it causes more damage than good. Thanks again for the help and info!

[mcaswell]

We now carry this ZOOPSEAL in stock!

Watch the webpage for details

http://www.caswellplating.com/buffs/zoopseal.html