[Milsurplus] Mirror finishing aluminum

Jon & Valerie Oldenburg [email protected]
Sun, 27 Oct 2002 20:07:52 -0600


Good safety tips, I have done a lot of aluminum polishing in restoring early
( 1910-1930's) outboard motors. If at possible do this out doors, the amount
of air born grit, waxes, and lint from the wheel is amazing. My current
wheel has a Sears 2-hp table saw motor, and it can really crank out the work
using 8 inch wheels. Respirators are a must, and a face shield is best (
after a 20 minute session you may look like an old time 20's actor in
"black-face makeup!) along with a welders cap. Jon Ab(AH
----- Original Message -----
From: "J. Forster" <[email protected]>
To: "ARC-5" <[email protected]>; "Milsurplus"
<[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, October 27, 2002 7:22 PM
Subject: [Milsurplus] Mirror finishing aluminum


> Someone asked about mirror finishing aluminum, but the message seems to
have
> vanished.
>
> Getting a mirror finish is quite easy. Make a trip to Home Depot. They
sell
> cloth wheels and arbors for a drill or drill press (easier) and some
polishing
> compound.  It comes in sticks about 1" diameter and 5" long. The package
has a
> grit chart. If the material is rough, you may need a course and fine grit.
A
> wheel per grit is not a bad idea.
>
> Chuck up the wheel, apply some polish to it, and go at the aluminum. About
a 6"
> diameter wheel works well at about 1000 to 2000 rpm. You can get a mirror
finish
> on aluminum (and stainless) quite easily. You will need to experiment a
bit with
> pressure, etc.
>
> Note: Do not wear loose clothing, long hair, rings, etc. GLASSES ARE A
MUST. The
> work can also fly out of your hands. BTW, the process is also pretty
messy.
>
> Good luck,
> -John
>
>
>
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