ENG: DIY polishing small parts with a dremel

[drkshdw107]

I have to say that this all look bad azz...but I have to ask...are all these parts just stock parts? or were they chromed parts? thanks

[TypeG]

I have to say that this all look bad azz...but I have to ask...are all these parts just stock parts? or were they chromed parts? thanks

they're all stock parts and they're polished (raw metal finish) not chrome plated.

polished aluminum is about 80% reflective, where chrome is closer to 100% reflective. some people can't tell the difference between the 2, but chrome has more luster. later.

[drkshdw107]

they're all stock parts and they're polished (raw metal finish) not chrome plated.

polished aluminum is about 80% reflective, where chrome is closer to 100% reflective. some people can't tell the difference between the 2, but chrome has more luster. later.

Thats awsome man...I didn't know you could do that with metal, very impressive...does this work with stainless steel too? thanks

[TypeG]

does this work with stainless steel too? thanks

yup. later.

[Smokinspeeds]

*no words*
but you are the man for sharing this info.

[TypeG]

*no words*
but you are the man for sharing this info.

haha, no problem.

just remember this method is for smaller parts and detailed work. use bigger tools (orbital sander) for bigger things. later.

[Smokinspeeds]

ok two questions since I'm trying to get into this...
1: where to find more buffing wheels than just the powerball(and now the powerball mini) b/c car parts shops cary the polish and that's about it

2: I just noticed the billet polish myself at the store and what dif would that have vs the metal polish and the plastic (finer) polish -which I haven't seen in mothers form b/c here everyone has 3m rubbing compound.. and is it something that in addition the the metal and 3m rubbing would benefit me in the final polish?

And if you know something that'll strip the weird coating off an F22b that'd help as well cause sanding that crap is a pain especially around the letters.

[TypeG]

ok two questions since I'm trying to get into this...
1: where to find more buffing wheels than just the powerball(and now the powerball mini) b/c car parts shops cary the polish and that's about it
probably the best places to look for more buffing wheels is online and places like home depot and lowes in the tool section.

2: I just noticed the billet polish myself at the store and what dif would that have vs the metal polish and the plastic (finer) polish -which I haven't seen in mothers form b/c here everyone has 3m rubbing compound.. and is it something that in addition the the metal and 3m rubbing would benefit me in the final polish?
i can't see 3m rubbing compound or plastic polish being useful in metal polishing at all. they were made for paint and plastic. the compounds in the metal polish are much different.

when i polish a part with mag and aluminum polish i go back over it with billet polish. this is how i get the polished parts of my motor to look real close to chrome. the billet polish is a finer polish than the mag polish. the billet polish should be used as a final polish only because it is to fine to cut like the mag polish.

And if you know something that'll strip the weird coating off an F22b that'd help as well cause sanding that crap is a pain especially around the letters.

i use aircraft stripper to remove the paint. it is much easier than sanding it off and save tons of time. later.

[Smokinspeeds]

yeah I was gonnsa look at home depot next. Ok, haven't used the rubbing compound on metal, wont. Just didn't want to buy the $12 or so billet polish if I didn't need to.

Now where the heck can I find aircraft stripper? I also have some 34% acetone or something burning like that, if I mix that down a bit could it work? (I could always just try lol...)

[TypeG]

yeah the billet polish is a little pricey. don't feel that you have to use it, you can still get really good results with the mag and aluminum polish. the billet polish is for that ''extra mile'', lol.

you can buy that aircraft stripper at any car parts store of even at a home improvement store. later.

[blazenem]

Now where the heck can I find aircraft stripper? I also have some 34% acetone or something burning like that, if I mix that down a bit could it work? (I could always just try lol...)

i found mine at the autoparts store too near the spray paint i think


oh btw TypeG what do u suggest to clean and engime up i just got a h22 its pretty dirty and i wanna clean it up and maybe polish some stuff while its out ya know

[oranger]

holy cow...thats incredible, honestly i didnt know it could ever look that good. how long did the big stuff (exhaust manifold cover, valve cover) take you?

[TypeG]

holy cow...thats incredible, honestly i didnt know it could ever look that good. how long did the big stuff (exhaust manifold cover, valve cover) take you?

a while. later.

[GHOST 2.2]

since i have plenty of time on my hands im just wondering since ive starting polishing my rims if there would be a difference in tools?

the rims already have paint in them im trying to strip off the paint but i have experimented by just sanding it off.

240g, 320g, 400g so far and i got these results

[TypeG]

since i have plenty of time on my hands im just wondering since ive starting polishing my rims if there would be a difference in tools?

the rims already have paint in them im trying to strip off the paint but i have experimented by just sanding it off.

240g, 320g, 400g so far and i got these results

for wheels i'd use and orbital sander followed by hand sanding or just hand sanding like you've already been doing. since you asked about tools, don't use a dremel anywhere on the rim.

i'd use aircraft paint remover to remove the paint also. later.