Removing stains in aluminum

[mvallee]

Any tips on removing stains in cast aluminum? After sanding I used a sisal/black compound, spiral/brown compound, loose/white compound but am left with cloudy stains.

Thanks,
MV

[shine]

hey,make sure you clean the work piece real good before you move on to the next compound,and make sure your applying enough pressure with the buffs.what r you buffing and with what kind of tools?

[mvallee]

The part is a cast aluminum rear view mirror mount. I wash the part between compounds but might not be using enough pressure, I'll try it again. I'm using a 1/3 hp buffer with 6" wheels.

[tomg552001]

1/3 hp sounds a little weak for 6 inch wheels, so that may be the problem. How many amp is the buffer?

[mvallee]

4.2 amps.

[tomg552001]

I think your buffer might be a little small for the 6 inch wheels and for the purpose of being able to "lay" into the part with some force. What are you polishing? Larger pieces? Does the buffer bind up easy when you put decent force against it?

[mvallee]

I'm polishing mainly aluminum and stainless trim, nothing too big. I have to put quite a bit of pressure on it to bind with what I'm buffing.

[tomg552001]

Hmm yea that will be fine on smaller parts. Make sure you use adequate pressure and use the proper polishing strokes. Against the wheel to cut, and with to polish.