2006-08-26 09:37:31 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Motorcycles
Having started off polishing a Cessna 140 by hand with Met-all, I can tell you that this is not a very good way. If you're going to be maintaining a polished bare-metal finish, you're going to need to buy a buffer. Even on a small plane like a 140, if you're doing it by hand you're never going to finish--by the time you get to the end, where you started will be starting to oxidize again.
Met-all, Turco, and other similar products will work, but only so far. One thing I've used in the past is to buff the polish into the surface, and then, with a clean buffing pad, go back over the surface with flour. Ordinary wheat flour will help to remove the dingy film from the metal; it picks up some of the 'gunk' and pulls it out of the metal.
In doing some checking, I've seen several websites recommending Nuvite polish. I've never used this myself, but it sounds like it might do the job.
Other than doing a Yahoo or Google search for polishing aluminum, you might check with companies in your area that paint airplanes, especially if you can find one that specializes in corporate jets. Owners of those things like to keep them shiny, and have the money to pay to keep them shiny. They may be willing to give you some pointers, and may sell you some supplies as well.
2006-08-26 09:59:42 · answer #1 · answered by SShenold 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I use fine sand paper to sand down the high spots.
Then sand around the pits to get everything of equal height.
Then wet sand with 620 paper.
Then polish with jewelers rouge and polishing wheel.
If you want to keep the parts from oxidizing again, polish regularly or keep it well waxed.
Maybe someone can comment on this - spray paint it with clear paint. I've never tried it. I don't know if air can get under the paint.
Surff around this site -
http://www.caswellplating.com/index.html
Free how to buff & polish booklet
Go to buffing polishing - click on a buffing compound - click
Pick-A-Buff-Helper to choose the right compound.
2006-08-26 12:57:55 · answer #2 · answered by guardrailjim 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just use brasso and a soft cloth, some aluminium used in motorcycle engine cases is coated with a clear sealer so you might have to re spray afterwards to stop the alloy from tarnishing again
2006-08-26 09:42:14 · answer #3 · answered by michael F 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An aluminum polish.
2006-08-26 09:39:10 · answer #4 · answered by Silverstang 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋