Polishing

I guess this could go either Commando or Atlas forums, but i just learned how to polish aluminum and was very excited- question what do people polish up on their Commandos or Atlas'? This was a velocity stack ( v the unpolished one) off of my recently installed concentrics- took about 45 minutes once i figured out what to do, i only went to 220 grit, but think it could have been even smoother had i gone higher. Still got a "mirror" finish...

What did you finish with? Wenol?

Have ya gotten a nice part almost finished and in the trance of the gleam relax grip so it ricochets off leaving evidence of each impact .....

I used a fine wire wheel on my bench grinder, then the 220 grit sandpaper. After sanding, used the buffer wheel on the grinder with Porter-Cable high luster polish (green colored; Lowe's). I then put a little car wax on it. Not sure what Wenol is?
The flash from the picture shows some imperfections, but i think had i had the finer grit paper it would look even better. Looks good with the aked eye though. This was a practice piece, but i was surprised at how relatively easy it was.

For so so mirror shine I stop at 1200 grit sand paper but for the better mirror like finish I start with very course grit to get as much surface dings out, then work to 2000 grit before I put on the first of the 3 grades of buffer wheel polish compound, then finish up with talc powder to clear off the wax-grease carriers then flame-steam anodize the surface with a hot torch that both melts microscope lines and begins the formation of clear sapphire hard coat.

Reflectivity
Aluminium is a good reflector of visible light as well as heat, and that together with its low weight, makes it an ideal material for reflectors in, for example, light fittings or rescue blankets and telescope mirrors. Its the shiny-est for visible light reflection.

http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=ps ... 67&bih=356

I like to polish mine but not to a perfect mirror. I do it with a 220 grit or rougher if there are deep grooves, then I bump up to 400 then 800. After that I then go to the wheel. I use a firm wheel that is sewn and then I buff with that on the bench with the brown cutting compound. After that I swap the wheel to a loose buffing wheel and then use the jewelers polish compound, its white. After that the shine is bright but not overpowering. I like show polish but for me it kinda stands out too much. I can see my reflection in the polish but its not like a mirror.

for tiny areas I use a steel wool type fitting on my dremel to rough cut the area then I use a buff and compound to polish it. These areas are the tight corners in valve covers and little corners in places the big wheel cant get.


stuff I polish

valve covers
timing cover
primary cover
tail lamp housing
hubs/front brake
zplates
transmisison cover
clocks
fork bottoms
seat knobs