Polishing ribs on tranny???

[63ziggy]

I like the look of the polished ribs on the tranny. How is this done? I plan on painting first. I assume there is a quick easy way of polishing out the raised ribs. Any help would be appreciated.

[Ian Epperson]

"Polishing ribs on a tranny"?!? Sounds worse than "Buffing my Thing"!

Artists often use a wax resist when doing something like that. Works great on pottery and other high-temp baked art. You draw or paint the wax on the location you don't want paint, then when you paint, it just runs off the wax. During firing (baking), the wax evaporates. Basically, the wax acts as a painted-on stencil.

Perhaps you could use a white crayon or candle. Wax up the top of the ribs, paint, then use a rag to rub off the wax and stray paint. I've no idea if this would work, so you should probably do a test piece. It may even work with grease instead of wax - easier to apply but messier to work with.

[charter]

I sanded mine after the tranny was painted then used buffing wheel with ruby red polishing compound and my portable drill , some buffing wheels come with a mandrail for electric drills, buff until it is as shinny as desired, touch up paint by hand if needed coat with a clear coat to protect the paint and finish

[wantvws]

I've heard of people using petroleum jelly to mask off little tiny things when painting. I think you just wipe it off and the paint comes with it....you would still have to buff the ribs.
Robbie
_________________
'63 Beetle ragtop, '71 Beetle sedan, '73 Thing, '78 Super convertible, '98 GTI

[uberautowerks]

White glue or rubber cement are excellent masking materials. That said I use Charters method, paint then sand off and buff. Also, before painting I use "Mag wheel cleaner" as the final wash, as it etches the surface so the paint gets a good hold and follow the paint / polish bit with clear coat.
_________________
--- The major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a thing that cannot possibly go wrong is that when a thing that cannot possibly go wrong goes wrong it usually turns out to be impossible to get at and repair.
- Douglas Adams -
---
'74 Thing (White)
'71 Single cab (White too)
'70 Weekender (White three)
'05 Evolution VIII (White also!!!)
'68 F-250 (White over black)

[kubelmann]

Paint holds in heat.

[uberautowerks]

If your trans is getting hot, you've got other, bigger, problems!
_________________
--- The major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a thing that cannot possibly go wrong is that when a thing that cannot possibly go wrong goes wrong it usually turns out to be impossible to get at and repair.
- Douglas Adams -
---
'74 Thing (White)
'71 Single cab (White too)
'70 Weekender (White three)
'05 Evolution VIII (White also!!!)
'68 F-250 (White over black)

[kubelmann]

Roger that. I just don't like to do anything that alters performance of any kind in the name of appearance.