polishing stainless & aluminum to a mirror finish

[pro70z28]

I've polished some aluminum parts. These are polished up to the final step. I figured I'd give them the final polishing when it goes together for the final time. The center section housing is cast aluminum, some are machined on a lathe & some are CNC cut from used plate from the salvage yard.





That is some cool stuff Conrad Turbo.

[Conrad_Turbo]

Intercooler polishing in progress...not fun using the Baldor while holding such a large/heavy piece. Haha.

Some AL to show the quality of a flared hole.

Aluminum sanded with the orbital sander (around 300 grit)

Done!

[Conrad_Turbo]

I've done my share of polishing...lots of labor and it sucks when even paper towel can scratch the surface!

I use an pnu. orbital sander starting at around 300 grit and work my way up to 600 or so, then some emery cloth at 1k grit. Then onto the Baldor buffer (different wheels of course...).



For SS I use:
Rough Cut - Sisal Wheel with Black Emery Compound
Final Cut, Rough Polish - Sprial Sewn Wheel with Green Compound
Final Polish - Loose Cotton Wheel with Green Compound
Wax (optional) - Anything carnuba based

For AL I use:
Rough Cut - Sisal Wheel with Black Emery Compound
Final Cut, Rough Polish - Sprial Sewn Wheel with Brown Tripoli
Final Polish - Loose Cotton Wheel with White Rouge
Wax (optional) - Anything carnuba based

Wear glasses and mask, unless you like black snot. Also after washing your face make sure you wash around your eyes...or you'll look like an 80's rocker with makeup around the eyes. Polishing is messy work.

Some things I have polished:


Polished SS

Polished SS and Acrylic

Polished AL box, mediablasted after

[Bert]

thunder......WOW!! Great tips and Great Sites!!!!!!!! THANKS!!!!!!!!!
What is that portable air sander you use?

[thunder71]

the grinder with the big wheel is what we call a grey wheel it is made by bear-tex series 1000 made by norton this is for deburring & blending .......heres a few links & lots more if you search....
http://www.ind.nortonabrasives.com/M...e%20Wheels.pdf
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ucm4E...eature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vp-aL7ega5o
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bBYy...eature=related

[metalmanipulator]

mirror finish

I have worked with stainless for many years and still haven't mastered it yet. I use basicly the same system but I seem to have better luck with gray or white compound. I can't get all the micro scratches that the cotton pads leave. I started out with #8 mirror finish matieral on this project that was damaged in shipping.

[Old Sporty]

Looks good. Would you care to elaborate on the process you used for the benefit of the community?

Also, if you haven't tried it, look for some "Yellowstone" polishing compound. You'll like it I think.

[thunder71]