New guy with some easy questions on wheel job

[brownnugen]

Hi and thanks for the support. I have a set of forged aluminum wheels that I would like to polish. I've read through the "read this first" part of the site and still have a few questions. Since I live in a small townhouse and I really anticipate polishing only these wheels, so did not want to purchase a bench mounted grinder/polisher.

I was originally going to use one of those electric hand sanders (the one that uses like 1/3 sheet of sandpaper) and work my way up to 100-200-400-600-800 grit (wet sand for the last two grits).

For the buffing and polishing part, I had purchased a no load sander/polisher from Harbor Freight that is supposed to spin a 2600/3300 rpm. Pretty much this one http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=90820
But I am not sure how buffing/polishing wheels are suppose to fit on there. It came with a 7" head for the polishing bonnet (kind of like a shower cap).

Then I was going to use an electric hand drill, because I've seen the buffing wheels made for hand drill, but could not find one that seemed to be able to spin enough rpm (as recommended here). The fastest I've seen spins at 3000 rpm.

So, then I was thinking about an angle grinder with the adapter piece sold here. But the ones I've seen online spin about 10,000 rpm or more. Will that be too fast? I was thinking about using the grinder to sand the wheels down, but couldn't find the appropriate grit (listed above) to do the job. Do they make wheels for an angle grinder is those grits?

So, what would you use? The sander/polisher, the 3000 rpm drill or an angle grinder? I can pick either one up at the local Harbor Freight store. The next thing is, I'm not really sure which buffing/polishing wheels to purchase. I can figure out the sissal wheel/cotton wheel part (I think), but my question is more along the lines of "do I need a different wheel if mounted on a drill versus sander/polisher versus to an angle grinder?" and then how do they mount on it?

So, basically the question are:

Thanks again, tons of simple questions. More to come, I'm sure.
-Nick

[pickleboy]

first off welcome to the forum. i answered inside of the qoute from your post.

Originally Posted by brownnugen

I was originally going to use one of those electric hand sanders (the one that uses like 1/3 sheet of sandpaper) and work my way up to 100-200-400-600-800 grit (wet sand for the last two grits). i also do this but be very careful as electricity and water dont mix well. i suggest a mist squirt bottle to wet the parts with.

For the buffing and polishing part, I had purchased a no load sander/polisher from Harbor Freight that is supposed to spin a 2600/3300 rpm. Pretty much this one http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=90820 that will work fairly well
But I am not sure how buffing/polishing wheels are suppose to fit on there. It came with a 7" head for the polishing bonnet (kind of like a shower cap). this is the adapter you need to use.that polisher uses the same spindle threads as a grinder. http://www.caswellplating.com/buffs/grinderadapter.html

Then I was going to use an electric hand drill, because I've seen the buffing wheels made for hand drill, but could not find one that seemed to be able to spin enough rpm (as recommended here). The fastest I've seen spins at 3000 rpm. this will work ok for the tight spots with mushroom buffs and felt bobs.

So, then I was thinking about an angle grinder with the adapter piece sold here. But the ones I've seen online spin about 10,000 rpm or more. Will that be too fast? this idea will work but with that speed and the fact that you are not real experienced it can be dangerous as well as easy to mess the wheels up. i would stick with the polisher and a little more time.
I was thinking about using the grinder to sand the wheels down, but couldn't find the appropriate grit (listed above) to do the job. Do they make wheels for an angle grinder is those grits? no most sandpaper that will work on grinders will only go as fine as 240 or maybe 320 grit

So, what would you use? The sander/polisher, the 3000 rpm drill or an angle grinder? i would get the drill and the polisher both since the polisher will work great on the big areas but not the small tight areas and that is where the drill will work out great.
The next thing is, I'm not really sure which buffing/polishing wheels to purchase. I can figure out the sissal wheel/cotton wheel part (I think), ? i do not use sisal on aluminum myself. i would recommend vented treated wheels in the 8" size. this will give you about 6000 sfm on the polisher. use this with the emory bar, and work till it is almost as shiney as you want. then switch to a 8" spiral sewn and the white bar. this should give you the shine you are looking for. if not the get a second spiral sewn and use the red bar for the final shine.
but my question is more along the lines of "do I need a different wheel if mounted on a drill versus sander/polisher versus to an angle grinder?" and then how do they mount on it? no the wheels are the same as long as they aree sized right. they mount with a 1/2 bolt on the adapter that i recommended so when ordering the wheels ask for 1/2" arbor holes.

So, basically the question are:

Thanks again, tons of simple questions. More to come, I'm sure.
-Nick

hope this helps bro, keep us posted on the progress and best of luck

[brownnugen]

Thanks for the reply. I have a few follow up questions to ask: If I use that grinder adapter, would the polisher/sander be able to get into the small places? Are the buffing wheels that are used on the sander/polisher interchangeable with the ones used on a drill? This is the type wheel I am trying to polish, relatively flat: http://www.hostdub.com/Euro8valve_al...wheelandborbit Hopefully mine can look like that (or better).. What type of buffing wheels would be able to get into the lips and the openings on the outer edge of the wheel?

You mention that I should do the white with the spiral wheels, would that work better than a loose cotton wheel for the final buff? Is it advisable to buff in 2 stages instead of 3?

Oh, the inside of the wheels are pretty dirty and have a little bit of corrosion and years of brake dust. What would you recommend for cleaning that up? Would it just be as simple as washin with soap and water and a green scouring pad? Or would one of those scrubbing mushroom buffs be a better tool?

Thanks again,
-Nick

[pickleboy]

Originally Posted by brownnugen

If I use that grinder adapter, would the polisher/sander be able to get into the small places? not really it is made more for the larger flatter areas.
Are the buffing wheels that are used on the sander/polisher interchangeable with the ones used on a drill? if you also get this adapter the wheels will swap out.
This is the type wheel I am trying to polish, relatively flat: http://www.hostdub.com/Euro8valve_al...wheelandborbit Hopefully mine can look like that (or better)..
What type of buffing wheels would be able to get into the lips and the openings on the outer edge of the wheel? that is why i recommend the mushroom and facer buffs for the drill also the felt bobs work good for this area.

You mention that I should do the white with the spiral wheels, would that work better than a loose cotton wheel for the final buff? Is it advisable to buff in 2 stages instead of 3? i do it all the time. i dont use loose cotton on aluminum much any more since i can get the shine i want from the spiral. then when i use the loose it can sometimes cause small scratches.

Oh, the inside of the wheels are pretty dirty and have a little bit of corrosion and years of brake dust. What would you recommend for cleaning that up? Would it just be as simple as washin with soap and water and a green scouring pad? Or would one of those scrubbing mushroom buffs be a better tool? i would start with the soapy water and scotchbrite pad first and see how that works.
Thanks again,
-Nick

no problem bro