Issue with buffing!!!

[Qmyster]

Hey people,
I have been in the process of polishing the frame and have come up to a snag, i sand the cast section all the way to 2000 grit and then hit the alloy with the black compound which works fine.I then try to hit the alloy next with the brown tripoli compound with the spiral sewn wheel but it doesnt seem to get me a mirror like finish. I have put some pictures up as well and if anyone has any suggestions, it will be very appreicated!!!


Thanks
Qmyster.

Note: i seemed to burn my drill out buffing this frame!!!

[jrow]

Qmyster,

First off did you clean the aluminum with Acetone, and wash with Dawn Dish washing liquid mixed in hot water, prior to changing from Emory to Tripoli?
It is not necessary to sand up 2000 grit. If the aluminum doesn't have scratches in it "Buff It". If it has scratches in it sand with 220 grit wet and dry and progress up to 400 grit wet and dry and then buff. You may need to go to 600 grit but not likely. Dip you wet and dry paper in your dawn mixture it makes it easier to sand!
Did you "rake" your buffs often and not apply to much compound when you are buffing?
Yep, your right it will eat up drill motors in a hurry. If your not going to make a profession out of polishing then thats the least expensive way to go!

John

[mpierich]

Originally Posted by Qmyster

Hey people,
I have been in the process of polishing the frame and have come up to a snag, i sand the cast section all the way to 2000 grit and then hit the alloy with the black compound which works fine.I then try to hit the alloy next with the brown tripoli compound with the spiral sewn wheel but it doesnt seem to get me a mirror like finish. I have put some pictures up as well and if anyone has any suggestions, it will be very appreicated!!!

Thanks
Qmyster.

Note: i seemed to burn my drill out buffing this frame!!!

I often find that tripoli doesn't work too well. Do as jrow says, up to 320 or 400, then emery/spiral, then white/spiral. Should be fine then.

[84Supra]

I found that sometimes aluminum does not like the black or brown compound....the compound itself actually scratched it. Since you've seeming sanded each step well, and up to 2000 grit, go straight ot the white rouge on a loose cotton wheel.

I wetsanded to 1500 and went straight to the white and achieved results like this on my wheels.





I'd give it another sanding with some 1500 or 2000 and try bypassing the "coarser" compounds, see if it helps.

[jrow]

The reason for the courser compounds is so that you don't have to sand with 1500 or 2000 grit sandpaper! Sand up to 400 grit or use some greaseless compound and then polish.

John