Getting cloudy dull results. New to this please help

[ekernel]

Ok I am very new to this and I have some aluminum trim pieces that I am trying to polish. The pieces have been sanded all the way to 1200 grit to get out all scratches. Then buffed using emery/sisal white/sprial, and lastly red/flannel. The buffing machine I am using is a 1 1/2 hp 1750rpm motor ( I know this is slow) I am using 10" buffs.

The problem I am having is during the final red rouge polishing. After the white, the piece is nice and bright (mirror like). When I go to red at first I was getting this nasty trail of compound during my color stroke which i figured was to much compound on the wheel. Raked the wheel and tried to used up some of the compound on a scrap piece. Now I dont get the nasty trail but once I do a light color pass the part looks dull. I tried washing the part with soap and water, degreaser, nothing seems to work. The part just comes out dull/cloudy looking.

Maybe speed of wheel?? I dont know.
Any help would be appriciated
thanks

[mpierich]

Originally Posted by ekernel

Ok I am very new to this and I have some aluminum trim pieces that I am trying to polish. The pieces have been sanded all the way to 1200 grit to get out all scratches. Then buffed using emery/sisal white/sprial, and lastly red/flannel. The buffing machine I am using is a 1 1/2 hp 1750rpm motor ( I know this is slow) I am using 10" buffs.

The problem I am having is during the final red rouge polishing. After the white, the piece is nice and bright (mirror like). When I go to red at first I was getting this nasty trail of compound during my color stroke which i figured was to much compound on the wheel. Raked the wheel and tried to used up some of the compound on a scrap piece. Now I dont get the nasty trail but once I do a light color pass the part looks dull. I tried washing the part with soap and water, degreaser, nothing seems to work. The part just comes out dull/cloudy looking.

Maybe speed of wheel?? I dont know.
Any help would be appriciated
thanks

Sometimes we make problems more complicated than they really are. Why not stop at the white, if it looks good then?

Also...I do believe that if you're going all the way to 1200 with the sanding, the sisal is too aggressive. Maybe try a spiral or loose wheel for the emery.

[ekernel]

I agree but I would just like to figure out what in the world is causing this problem. Cause I would like to be able to brighten it up just a touch. I will try using a sprial instead of the sisal cause it is pretty aggresive for what im doing

thanks

[ekernel]

Ok, well today I got a minute and tried a couple pieces out with white/loose wheel and red rouge/loose wheel. I tried 1 exterior trim part and 1 interior trim part. With the white compound both pieces came out very very shiny but the interior trim piece had what almost looks like little light specks below the surface (cleaning it throughly did not remove them) and you can only see them in certain light and it seems like they kindda dull the part. However the exterior trim piece came out excelent, highly reflective in every angle of light. I am starting to wonder if maybe a cruddy grade of aluminum was used on interior trim and it is actually a problem with the aluminum and not my technique. Anyone have any ideas?

Also I tried the red rouge at a higher rpm (about 2700) and still got the cloudy results as before. I will probably just stop at the white compound as it seems to do a fine job but would like to know what could be the problem with the red as well. Hopefully this has happend to someone on here or someone has some insight.

thanks

[alabama_lowlife]

when i polished my plenum, there was alot of that white speckled look to it that i just couldn't get out. i think it has to do with the quality of the casting. i also recommend trying one of caswell's cushion buffs instead of the loose to use with the white. white is the last stage i use.

[mpierich]

Originally Posted by ekernel

Ok, well today I got a minute and tried a couple pieces out with white/loose wheel and red rouge/loose wheel. I tried 1 exterior trim part and 1 interior trim part. With the white compound both pieces came out very very shiny but the interior trim piece had what almost looks like little light specks below the surface (cleaning it throughly did not remove them) and you can only see them in certain light and it seems like they kindda dull the part. However the exterior trim piece came out excelent, highly reflective in every angle of light. I am starting to wonder if maybe a cruddy grade of aluminum was used on interior trim and it is actually a problem with the aluminum and not my technique. Anyone have any ideas?

Also I tried the red rouge at a higher rpm (about 2700) and still got the cloudy results as before. I will probably just stop at the white compound as it seems to do a fine job but would like to know what could be the problem with the red as well. Hopefully this has happend to someone on here or someone has some insight.

thanks

The specks are probably either small pores or inclusions of impurities. Look at them with a magnifying glass.

With this problem I always go slower in speed rather than faster. It makes a big difference without the fibers slapping the metal so hard. But I still think the white rouge finish is dandy.

[ekernel]

Originally Posted by mpierich

The specks are probably either small pores or inclusions of impurities. Look at them with a magnifying glass.

With this problem I always go slower in speed rather than faster. It makes a big difference without the fibers slapping the metal so hard. But I still think the white rouge finish is dandy.

I think you are right. I did notice that slower seemed to make a difference in makin a better finish. I agree that the white is great and that is what i will end with but I was just tryin to find an answer to why the red is causing a problem. Just weird that the interior trim has these specks but the exterior trim comes out flawless. Well thanks for all the input guys.

thanks