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Experiment in tin boat polishing, using Harbor Freight junk
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<blockquote data-quote="great white" data-source="post: 356152" data-attributes="member: 6238"><p>All aluminum will polish up nicely. </p><p></p><p>The problem is polishing removes the aluminum oxide that protects it from further corrosion. </p><p></p><p>Waxes and what not help, but it will have to be re-polished again. Fairly soon in a water born environment.</p><p></p><p>Here's a related story for ya:</p><p></p><p>We used to polish the CT114 Tutor training jet when I was working on them way back when. The flight line was a dazzling line of shiny mirrors all summer long. You could tan just standing next to one!</p><p></p><p>But, we ended up having to stop polishing them when it was discovered that the constant buffing resulted in the aluminum becoming thinner and thinner (remember that we measure with micrometers, not rulers). They let them oxidize to the dull aluminum color (AL oxide) and then it stops. </p><p></p><p>Eventually, they were all painted silver with what we called "Mach 1 paint" since it would hold on at 400 KIAS.</p><p></p><p><img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="great white, post: 356152, member: 6238"] All aluminum will polish up nicely. The problem is polishing removes the aluminum oxide that protects it from further corrosion. Waxes and what not help, but it will have to be re-polished again. Fairly soon in a water born environment. Here's a related story for ya: We used to polish the CT114 Tutor training jet when I was working on them way back when. The flight line was a dazzling line of shiny mirrors all summer long. You could tan just standing next to one! But, we ended up having to stop polishing them when it was discovered that the constant buffing resulted in the aluminum becoming thinner and thinner (remember that we measure with micrometers, not rulers). They let them oxidize to the dull aluminum color (AL oxide) and then it stops. Eventually, they were all painted silver with what we called "Mach 1 paint" since it would hold on at 400 KIAS. :) [/QUOTE]
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Boat House
Experiment in tin boat polishing, using Harbor Freight junk
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