Polishing Trim Using a Buffer Wheel

[Tkisner]

Im thinking about getting a stationary buffer to polish trim and other pieces. My question is, is it as simple as putting a buffing wheel and holding the trim up to it or is it more complicated? Any tips or advice? Thanks

[itlives]

You'll need to get the right kind of medium to buff properly. I'd call around to some hot rod shops and ask them .
Other than that it sounds like a good plan.

[Matt K.]

Sometimes you may need to finely sand the objects to make them smooth if they have any scratches or nicks in them before you polish them out, i find using 1000 grit sandpaper and some Mothers polish works great.
_________________
This is my 23rd year in the Auto Body/Paint Game!
*Take a look at some of my custom paint: http://s110.photobucket.com/albums/n119/mrpaint_2006/ .( NOTE: these are some older jobs but still neat.)

[gfw1985]

A lot depends on the volume of stuff you want to polish for money spent. You need the right buffing wheels and compounds for what you want to do. See http://www.eastwood.com for some examples of supplies. I have two Baldor buffers, numerous wheels and compounds for polishing everything including plastic, over $2500 worth. But I have these left over from my knife making day's. You can do the same work with a dremel tool, just takes a little more time.

[itlives]

I was going suggest a Dremel. It's what I use , but I'm small time. I figure if you want to get a stationary buffer you're going to do more than just your stuff.
A Dremel is a cheap way to go-right up my alley!

[kingkarmann]

You may run across anodized aluminum. Spray lye based oven cleaner and leave it for about 60 to 90 seconds then rinse. This removes the very hard anodizing . I sand the aluminun with 300 grit and work up to 0000 steel wool. Then I buff it on a stationary buffing wheel. It looks like chrome when it's done.

[itlives]

That's some good tips - thanks.

[Major Woody]

Thanks for the tips on removing anodizing. I need to polish my popout frames, which are anodized. I will try the oven cleaner suggestion.

[Plantman]

kingkarmann, Thanks for the oven cleaner tip for removing the anodizing. I just polished the air grills on my Ghia. I probably spent 3 hours and half a stick of polish to get the anodizing off. They do look good. I used my drill press with a buffing wheel. When I do my rims I have a 4ft flex shaft that I use with my drill press. The polish i bought at Sears,it came in a four pack. Emory cake/coarse, Tripoli/brown, white rouge, and red rouge. The emory and tripoli worked best for heavily oxidized aluminum. The rouges are for a very bright finish like silver. I tried using my Dremel but the small polishing wheels didn't last very long.
David
_________________
Every day may not be good, but there is something good in every day,
No matter where you go, there you are.
'69 bug & '71 Ghia

[coad]

If you use a hard cloth wheel on a stationary grinder then you'll need rouge to put on the wheel.

Lots of people use the red or jeweler's rouge, but for aluminum I like the white rouge a lot better. It's faster and gives a better shine. I get mine at Sears.

Here's a pretty good page on buffing and the different wheels. I suggest you get a set-up wheel, the wider the better. I run two 1" wheels together for 2" of buffing surface.

http://www.metalfinishingsystems.com/tt-buffing.html

[Tkisner]

Thanks for all the advice everybody!!

[Hophead]

anodizing is a protective coating.... if you remove it , you will get corrosion. That is unless you relentlessly wax it or clearcoat it with something else....
_________________
70' Beetle Pan off Resto
2110cc
82 X 90.5
P&P 043 40x35.5
9.6-1 comp
FK-8
48 IDA

[PSScoots]

Coad's link was very helpful but it moved. The updated link is here:http://www.metalfinishingsystems.com/content/buffing-tech-tips

Be sure to look at the PDF at the bottom of the page for buffing tips.
_________________
Rebuilt to drive not decorate. -VOLKSWAGNUT
"Service the car and it will give you good service."