Breathing protection for aluminum polishing

I'm just about read to get back to trying to polishing my Mk III's bits (gave up on the Harbor Freight buffer as it didn't have enough power for me to get my body into it) and have been reading about wearing a mask during the polishing. What level protection is needed? Is it just a soft face mask or more "hazmet" in appearance?

I'm not an industrial hygienist but know enough to be dangerous.

You are not taking this polishing work up as a career but more of as a one off event, correct? I don't know enough about inhalation of aluminum but the fibers coming off the polishing wheel can be pretty nasty.

I would think if you wore a disposable paper dust mask you would be well ahead of the curve; more than most people would do. I know, hell of a standard. Take care to get a good fit - beards can be problematic.

A respirator-grade paper face mask should suffice. Breathing protection is contingent upon what you're putting into the air, so grinding aluminum (or any metal) is more toxic than polishing it.

If you are only lifting a corrosion layer then a couple of hand passes with Belgom Alu and stainless scourer will do it. If you need anymore than that, then a polishing shop would be better and easier I would have thought.

As for Belgom Alu someone once asked ''where did you get your cases chromed''

If you are removing a heavy layer of oxidation with Scotch Brite pads or something similar then you are likely to expose yourself to a lot of airborne particulate that you should protect yourself from. I know from experience that this crap is not good to breathe. I don't know how aluminum compares on a scale to bronze and copper but I learned the hard way to wear a respirator when cleaning oxidation from these metals. But once you get to the point of polishing metal with a paste, you don't release much into the air. A dust mask and a face sheild should pretty well take care of it. If you are using chemicals like xylene to clean, then you need to assess that level of risk from the perspective of the chemicals used.

Russ

Veering slightly off-subject here but never-the-less related. In the past I’ve used a 3M headlight lens polishing kit that worked excellent for polishing some really grungy old oxidized Norton valve covers. The kit involved only the use of a low speed drill, so made about the same mess/airborne debris as hand sanding, thus in my opinion would be skewed far to the safe end of the particulate generation/inhalation spectrum. Don’t know how many or how large the parts you are doing are, but if smaller bits this was an easy, “safe?” way to polish heavily oxidized aluminum by systematically working up through the abrasive grits provided. The link below shows the kit and the 2nd video shows the gist of using the kit. The progression shown is exactly what heavily oxidized Al requires to get polished. I was not seeking a better-than-new chrome-like finish, rather, a bright finish as the parts were originally supplied, which this kit did a nice job of providing.

http://3mauto.com/3m-headlight-lens-restoration-system-39008.html

To your question regarding personal protective equipment, I concur with a previous poster that the ubiquitous 3M dust mask at the big box stores should be sufficient.

I've always used a good grade paper dust/particle mask with no ill effects afterward. I use 10 inch diameter spiral sewn wheels or a sisal wheel hooked up to an old washing machine motor and buffing compounds of wax(??) impregnated with abrasives. Most of the mess comes from the wax and bits of the wheel that fly off. Gloves, a face shield, and a hat are all good ideas too, unless you want to look like you just crawled out of a coal mine.

As well as a face mask,(As well as the obvious eye protection) I would recommend a domestic tube vacuum cleaner end tube mounted on the bottom of the polishing wheel-this will suck up some of the finer dusts made when polishing :!:

Aluminum is linked to Alzheimer's. Just how it gets to where ever to cause damage, I don't know. But not something to gamble with probably.
Almost any particulates can be dangerous if fine enough and breathed in - the cotton industry was plagued with sickness from the dust.


The problem with cheap masks is that they don't usually fit well and are uncomfortable, so often get left off. Get one that is comfortable. The ones with interchangeable cartridges, so you can use the same mask for dry dust, chemicals etc, just change the cartridges,

I found a full face shield works best. It stops you feeling all the crap hitting you, and you tend to stay quite a bit cleaner. There are particle and liquid grades for these too.

Ear defenders are probably a good idea, as is a thick pinny.

Stout leather gloves. Do not be tempted to use a bit of rag to hold a workpiece. A snag can get your arm in a sling.

nickguzzi said:

Aluminum is linked to Alzheimer's. Just how it gets to where ever to cause damage, I don't know. But not something to gamble with probably.

Click to expand...

I can remember year ago when Aluminium was cited as being a major cause of Alzheimer's. In those days everybody cooked in saucepans made of the stuff. Then it all went quite as far as I'm aware. (Conspiracy?) Now you'd have a hard job to buy one which isn't coated in non-stick or something similar, so there must be some truth in it. I think it was, or possibly still is also used extensively in antiperspirant. It's amazing stuff, but like anything it seems there must be a downside.

I use gradually finer wet or dry followed by Solvol Autosol. That's shiny enough for me.

Cheers,

cliffa.

A cheap window fan set up to blow fresh air at you, and the particulate away is a GREAT start in the PPE planning.

I'd suggest a complete face mask, apron and hat too. I find the mess thrown on you by the greasy polishing compound worse than any possible aluminum that may come off.