Newbie Polishing bike

[edge4you]

i am polishing a top triple tree on my bike, it is alum. has a kinda shine and some scratches
i was using a dremal but seems not to be working, should i use a drill instead of dremal and any other tips would help. also the triple tree is on bike and cannot remove it

[UncleJimmi]

It is likely that there is a clear coat of paint that you must get through first.
If you can’t remove it then it is going to be a royal pain no matter what. If you still think something must be done to polish it then I recommend doing it all by hand. Start with 220 grit and sand it with your fingers. You can use a popsicle stick to get the tight inside edges, be careful not to repeat strokes in the same direction (always cross the lines) or you will dig ruts / waves that look terrible in the reflection.
After 220 use 320, 500, 1000, you can try some cream polish at this point and if you want it better than what you are seeing then continue with1500, 2000.
Like I said ROYAL pain, but at least this way there won’t be any cable twisting, machine slip scratching, paint chipping mistakes, and the quality will be better than you could get with a drill or dremel.

[mpierich]

Originally Posted by edge4you

i am polishing a top triple tree on my bike, it is alum. has a kinda shine and some scratches
i was using a dremal but seems not to be working, should i use a drill instead of dremal and any other tips would help. also the triple tree is on bike and cannot remove it

Like UncleJimmi said, except that I would pick a small trial spot and go backwards with the grits...try say 600 grit first, then 500, etc. If you start coarser than you need to, you'll spend the next few steps trying to get rid of all those self-induced scratches.

I'd also try a fine Scotch-Brite pad first - if there's a clearcoat it might take it off better.

Use popsicle sticks, etc. with your paper or pads to get into the tight areas.

[edge4you]

so do not use the drill or the black brown bars just striaght sand paper
i would like to get a mirror finish, were i used the dremal theres a section starting to get shiney but cannot get scratches out and also most of the clearcoat is off, i got the bike used and it looks like someone used steel wool one it.

[edge4you]

ok i got it done it looks great i did not think i would get that good on first time
know i guess i need to seal it

Thanks all

[UncleJimmi]

No need to seal it, if you do the final step one a month or as needed it will always bling. Once you put clear on it you can plan on doing the whole process all over again in a year or two.

Did you use the drill? Are your fingers sore?

[mpierich]

Originally Posted by edge4you

ok i got it done it looks great i did not think i would get that good on first time
know i guess i need to seal it

Thanks all

What did you end up doing?

Like Jimmi says, to heck with sealers...