Need Help polishing large flat section

[smooth72]

I am a newbee to the site and I have been polishing aluminum for years, I have a 3/4 hp bench polisher, all different types of wheels air tools, etc. Most of my polishing I do is with a bench polisher or with my air tool grinders. Here is my problem, the part I have is on the car and would be very difficult to take it off, so I cannot take it to the wheel. It is a flat piece about 4 inches wide and 2 feet long, so it will easily show imperfection. Polishing a large flat surface is a different animal" I was thinking about some type of bonnet, like my 8" auto buffer but in a 4" for my grinder. It would have to tight weave. I know it can be done because I saw a 4 foot by 8 foot pieces of aluminum that someone used as pickup bed cover and was told they used powered hand tools. I have already sanded it smooth so it is ready for polishing. Any help would be appreciated.

[mpierich]

There is an adaptor you can get to put regular wheels onto an angle grinder - I believe Caswell sells them - look in the polishing section. Personally I think the grinder is too fast, but some guys in here do use them and apparently like them.

For a slower speed tool, why not use your wheels on an air drill with a mandrel? Or, you could get a flex shaft on an electric motor.

[thesound]

I'd get the surface emery smooth by whatever means you deem necessary, not worrying too much about streaks. Buffing wheels would work fine but if you're concerned about the mass of one bogging your grinder down one of these puts down a decent footprint:


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

Once it's emery smooth take out the streaks and finish it up with one of these:

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

You've got 6 inches of surface area coverage to work with on one of those, which oughtta permit you to strafe your grinder in a straight line back and forth across the part while having enough overhang to avoid streaking. The only stipulation on this Flitz Ball is that it's only liquid polish friendly, so you'll either need to use some of the Flitz brand polish or you could possibly get away with using some of Caswell's Liquid White Rouge.

[smooth72]

Thanks for the info. I am glad that I found this site.

[berndog]

I use an angle polisher with a 10" yellow vented wheel,,brown compound,,followed with a loose buff with either green or white compound,,,works for me