Best way to polish metal?

[Chris_90]

So looking at polishing my xud rocker cover, wanting to do xantia inlet and some parts of the bosch to if i can.

Got to work with some 200 grit wet and dry and heres the results so far after about 10mins of sanding.




Then went in cos got arm ache (not used to all this rubbing )

Then did some more





And that's it so far.

So whats the best way to get a good finish? any hints and tips? was wondering if i could get something that would fit in drill or grinder that would help out instead of doing it all by hand?

Comments welcome

[Niall]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/271338274...102&ff19=0

Bloody brilliant stuff but you will probably use a fair bit doing all of that!

[Grant]

You not got a mouse sander or anything?

[Piggy]

finish with autosol

See all my engine building stuff

I start with a wire wheel on a drill

then 400grit wet and dry, I finished some with 800

then autosol...autosol for as long as you dare till the polishing cloth you are using doesnt get as dirty!

[Chris_90]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/271338274...102&ff19=0

Bloody brilliant stuff but you will probably use a fair bit doing all of that!

Think i will get some to finish it off with, probably better getting it to a decent stage before i use expensive stuff on it.

You not got a mouse sander or anything?

Ive not but surely i can get something that will fit in drill/grinder to do same thing?

finish with autosol

See all my engine building stuff

I start with a wire wheel on a drill

then 400grit wet and dry, I finished some with 800

then autosol...autosol for as long as you dare till the polishing cloth you are using doesnt get as dirty!

Were would i get a wire wheel from? its not gonna leave deep scratches in it is it?

[Piggy]

go easy with it...ebay, halfords, bNq, hardware stores, etc etc etc

[Chris_90]

Don't think I fancy my chances with it tbh, rather not risk getting deep scratches in it, don't wanna ruin the hard work that's gone in to it already lol

[Piggy]

Have you not seen all the stuff I polished up??

turbo, pump, brackets, the lot...all started with a wire wheel.....its like your hand doing an half hours work with the first sheet of wet n dry

One like this:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Silverline-100...540213771c

there are twist knot ones, but they are a bit harsh

[Chris_90]

Have you not seen all the stuff I polished up??

turbo, pump, brackets, the lot...all started with a wire wheel.....its like your hand doing an half hours work with the first sheet of wet n dry

One like this:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Silverline-100...540213771c

there are twist knot ones, but they are a bit harsh

I remember seeing a few things will have to look though your thread when I get chance, wow that's cheap think might get one.

What about xantia manifold? Not got one yet but if I remember right the finish on them is very bumpy, so need to get it smooth to polish it out.

---

Edit: just looked at your thread, wow! Hope I can get that attention to detail on my engine, something tells me I won't have enough patients tho

[mikey b]

I use this kit cheap but good

[Danny2009]

Oh f*ck that for a laugh fetch what ever you want polishing to mine I'll get air sander on it done in seconds then buff it up

[Piggy]

Yeah those rolson polishing wheels are fine for once its been polished to smooth...but not much for getting it there

[mikey b]

For the start I usually use wire wool

[Piggy]

Wire wool would take foreeeeever

[Daniel306]

Paint it...

[Chris_90]

Paint it...

But that would be easy? Carnt have an easy life would be boaring :Lol:

[Danny2009]

Not want to use air sander then too easy

[Chris_90]

Not want to use air sander then too easy

might take you up on that offer see how i get on with it, no rush with it was just seeing what i can do why i was bored in shed filtering oil as usual

[mikey b]

Wire wheel on bench grinder then or on drill to start with you lazy buggers

[gretsch-drummer]

You want to work your way through a selection of fine grit WnD. I've just done the 6' exhaust tip and used: 1000, 1200, 1500, 2000, 2500 then 3000. Then using some 3m compound on the machine polisher: Came up like new:

During:


After:


(could prob do with a few more hits with the compound)

[Piggy]

Thats a bit overkill tbh...

Get same effect from wire wheel, 400, 1500 then autosol

[Tom]

Steel or brass wire wheel?

Found a cheap deal on ebay for brass ones, but i cant remember how soft they are, dont want to just shred them lol
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Silverline-993...20cc67f8d2

[Piggy]

Would think the brass would be softer?!

[Tom]

What i meant is will they do the job or will they be to soft and not scrub it up enough? Compared to steel ones.

[toughmat]

to get the best finish go all the way up to 2000grit, do it all by hand ( it will hurt ) then use autsol to clean then finally use Meguiars NXT All Metal. I done this to my bike frame and also my swingarm on my bike and it looked amazing

[laurence_13]

to get the best finish go all the way up to 2000grit, do it all by hand ( it will hurt ) then use autsol to clean then finally use Meguiars NXT All Metal. I done this to my bike frame and also my swingarm on my bike and it looked amazing

NC30? Polished swing arm looks smart, bet that took ages!

[toughmat]

to get the best finish go all the way up to 2000grit, do it all by hand ( it will hurt ) then use autsol to clean then finally use Meguiars NXT All Metal. I done this to my bike frame and also my swingarm on my bike and it looked amazing

NC30? Polished swing arm looks smart, bet that took ages!

NC35 Yeah took me a couple of days being everything was done by hand

[Jesskendall123]

Paint it