MOTORCYCLE POLISHING 101 CLASS IS IN SESSION!

[boxertricks]

i thought i had to sand from 150-1000grit before i start polishing to get a really good finish> thats what this guy did on here and his ftame looks awesome??

So you reckon i should leave red out then??

cheers

[jrow]

Originally Posted by boxertricks

i thought i had to sand from 150-1000grit before i start polishing to get a really good finish>

Why would you sand up to 1000 grit when the Emory compound is about 400 grit?

Originally Posted by boxertricks

thats what this guy did on here and his ftame looks awesome??

If you want to waste your time and got backward "Go For It".

Originally Posted by boxertricks

So you reckon i should leave red out then??

If you have a desire to use the red, try if with a Canton buff!

Originally Posted by boxertricks

cheers

[boxertricks]

yeah i see what you mean mate, im going to go with what youv said because obviously your an experienced polisher, ill sand up to 400 grit, its just i thought by getting it really smooth id get a better finish but like youv said the polishing process starts from 400 grit.

I just thought that by using the red "rouge" compound it might give me a better finish but if you say 3 compounds will be enough then im going to go with that---do you reckon i should use white instead of blue?

have you got any tips on how ill definitly get a mirrored finish on my wheels?

is it essential that i get my tyres removed before i polish them? or can i work round them (i do want to do a really proffessional job)

and could you tell me what "diamond cut" polishing is?

thanks alot mate your a great help

[boxertricks]

o yeah about stripping the paint off my wheels have you got any idea about the best stripper to use?

could i use a heat gun?

whats the best rpm to go with on a drill when im polishing? iv got an old stanley one and thats about 2,200 rpm

should i use a palm grip or orbital? and what rpm? i think there mostly 10,000rpm?

thanks again mate

[Gafmo]

Originally Posted by boxertricks

have you got any tips on how ill definitly get a mirrored finish on my wheels?

is it essential that i get my tyres removed before i polish them? or can i work round them (i do want to do a really proffessional job)

thanks alot mate your a great help

I'm only new in here and have a lot to learn also but when I polish only by hand I have always taken the tyres off mainly as its easier and lighter to move or spin the wheel around and you wont get any excess polish onto the tyres.

Just easier

[mpierich]

You could go to 600 grit...it helps show up the scratches you've missed. Especially if you're doing it for yoursefl and have the extra time to do it.

Blue compound is very dry - I only use it for plastic; and red is not usually helpful except on fine metals like gold, etc., although I do use to to brighten yp chrome plating sometimes.

If you do your sanding properly the black and white are all you need really - you can try some brown tripoli in between them but usually it's not necessary.

You can mask off the tires if you really don't want to remove them.

The drill would work but might burn out the motor - stop if you smell "that" odor (you know the one). You could use greaseless on 4" cotton wheels with the drill, then continue using it to do the polishing.

[jrow]

boxertricks,

Diamond cut polishing is when they use diamond dust to polish with. I believe it would be to harsh for aluminum.

A good quality Aircraft Paint Stripper will take the paint off your rims unless they are BMW rims.

Use your Stanley drill motor, with a 3" or 4" buff and see what happens. You may also want to invest in some greaseless compound also.

Like I said if you don't have to sand don't sand.

Re-read MOTORCYCLE POLISHING 101 CLASS IS IN SESSION! there are a lot of tips in there.

Tire removal: If your going to seal the rims after you polish them what is the sealer going to do to the tires? I'd remove them, as stated the rims will be a lot easier to handle.

Sanding: depends on what the openings are in the rims as to what mechanical means that you can use to sand. If they are mostly rounded areas then I would use "flap wheels" to sand with. If you have to sand!

John

[boxertricks]

cheers guys

so i dont really need to use a palm or orbital sander on wheels? just go with a "flap whee" on my drill?

you guys are mentioning "greaseless compounds" but wouldnt i only use these before the polishing process if im not going to sand with paper?

i was looking on these forums and i might just polish the rims regulary instead of actually "sealing" them

thanks again guys

[JTML4200]

I am just new to polishing, I figure I should offer this service if I am powder coating and it gives an awesome look to candy colors. I have a an air buffer and a palm sander, and of course the compounds, is there anything else I need besides luck?

[boxertricks]

can i just use a flap wheel to sand my wheels instead of using a palm sander?

i dont need to use greaseless abrasives if im sanding before polishing do i?