Bare aluminum shine

[lucescoflathead]

I have a buddy that used WD40 to polish aluminum. You could use a fine scotch bright pad on the scratches.

 

[seasprite]

Thanks for all the tips. Today I sanded first with 400 grit and then 800 grit then twice with 2000 grit. Then 3m light rubbing compound (takes out fine scratches) Then Mothers Mag and Aluminum polish,,,still not shinning like I'd want it. I live in Northeast Pa and today was in the forties, do you think applying compound and Mothers mag polish,its to cold for it? I'm very arm weary, after 7 hours of sanding and polishing. I'll have photos tomorrow. Thanks All!!!

 

[lucescoflathead]

Mothers Aluminum polish on a buffer really makes aluminum shine. I've polished a lot of aluminum and a buffer will give you the high polish. Good luck. Todd

 

[seasprite]

I purchased the buffing ball that Mothers has. I still don't have a mirror finish. One of my boats is a 1951 Studebaker 14 foot semi V. I stripped the paint off and down to bear metal 20 years ago. Every spring I use Mothers on it and it shines like a new nickel. This boat is kicking my backside. I like the bare aluminum look, it easier to maintain as well. I guess I'll have to settle with how it looks. More pictures tomorrow.

 

[lucescoflathead]

I put the Mothers on with a rag. I let it dry.I then use a Dewalt buffer with a soft wheel and buff the dried Mothers off. I don't think the Mothers buff ball in a drill is turning fast enough to do a good Job. I have one of those and never had any luck with it. You have to put a lot of pressure on the wheel.

I made a set of rear fenders for my 1948 Autocar. The aluminum had a dull finish. I used the three buffer compound sticks I talked about earlier then the Mothers. They shined like chrome when I was done.

When you let the Mothers dry first, I doesn't fly around and make a mess like it does when you try to put it one with the buffer. I hope this helps. Todd

 

[tccanoe]

Todd, You have a '48 Autocar? Post us a pic so as those who don't know what one is can see it.

 

[lucescoflathead]

I'll try to post a picture of it.

 

[gouran01]

Thanks for the ZIP STRIP idea! That stuff is frikin awesome, I guestimate it saved me about 15-20 hours of sandin and tryin to get into the tight spots. I'm workin on a way to smooth wood projects with it now!!! If only I could do away with sandpaper all together.

 

[seasprite]

A tip using Zip Strip, let it do the work. Put it on wait 10 minutes then re-coat it wait another 10 and my paint just fell off. I have that ugly yellow painted boat, I had to apply it a second time just to remove the paint film and small spots.

 

[gouran01]

The only place i needed 2 coats was where the facory stickers were. Other than that by the time I finished a 5-8 sq ft area it was reay to come off. It was automagical!

 

[seasprite]

Cool!! I wish I could get a nice aluminum shine out of my boat, but they wire wheeled it so deep I'm afraid to sand anymore. So I've decided to paint. But I have plenty of work to do before I get to paint. Keep sending photos, I will do the same when I get a chance to work on it.

 

[SaltyBuckster]

Here's a pic of the 18' Starcraft that I totally redid a few years ago.It was painted white when I got it and I stripped it to bare aluminum with aircraft stripper and used a DA sander with 180 grit to clean it all up.I then wet sanded it with 320 grit,then 400 grit all the way to 600 grit.Was a big job.Then I used heavy rubbing compound and buffed it out.Then Finess,then wax.It was totally beautifull,sorta like a Kastmaster lure,lol.BUT,I'll never do it again.

This is a picture of a picture on the wall.Yea,it meant that much to me,lol.