Newbie Questions

[waxman]

Just joined today and there is much info to understand,dont even know if this post will go to the right forum. I own a detailing business in Ca.and just recently decided to refinish customers wheels. A good part of my business deals with 5th wheels ,travel trailers and motorhomes. Most of the large motor homes have Alcoa aluminum wheels. 5th wheels and travel trailers are usually paint but some are aluminum also. At the present time I`m using Flitz and Wenol along with a few cotton buffing wheels and mushroom buffs. At first I used a corded Dewalt drill on Alcoa aluminum wheels that most likely where not done in several years, but it didn`t seem to have enough R.P.M. to do the job. What I finally used was an air compressor and that seemed to do a good job and the client was very happy. What size buffs should I use and what compounds? If the customer is happy with the job should I continue using Flitz and Wenol only? What type of power tool should I use when polishing wheels? Any suggestions,opinion and advice would be greatly appreciated.

THANKS IN ADVANCE
WAXMAN

[alabama_lowlife]

if they are the positive offset front wheels, you can try an angle grinder with a 6" sewn wheel and emory, then work your way to a cushion buff with white. an angle grinder makes them go pretty quickly. just get a decent grinder or it'll smoke itself. if would be more difficult to do a reverse offset wheel, but i suppose it's still possible.

[waxman]

Alabama thanks for the info but what type of angle grinder electric or air.


WAXMAN

[alabama_lowlife]

i used an electric one....but it was cheap....i let the smoke out of it....it stopped working after i let the smoke out of it.

[Rasper]

I use an air angle die grinder for some of my polishing, with small (3 inch or less) buffing wheels, or those 1/4 inch shank felt buffs that Caswell sells. I bought the grinder from Northern (it's their house brand) for 35 dollars five years ago. I want to get a straight die grinder too and I'm going for another Northern. Damn thing is indestructible. I use plenty of oil, and at the end of the day I run a good heavy shot of WD 40 through all my air tools to get rid of the water.

Richard