polishing parts?

low compression · 01-08-2011, 11:38 PM

Im bored as hell this winter and waiting on parts for the t2 and decided to try to polish some parts to contrast all the paint. I guess also to compliment my new fd tb, greddy elbow, and what i hope to become a v mount intercooler and piping. I realize the sanding is key to this now just after starting on my booster vacuum line banjo shit, but how far do most go in grit? I thought 400 would be good but after polishing im not happy with appearance. im using turtle wax polishing compound with a dremel buffer afterwards. Do certain metals not polish as well as others or am i way off on my strategy?

***TitaniumTT*** · 01-09-2011, 12:05 AM

Way off on the strategy. Go way higher in the grit and use 3M superduty rubbing compound followed by a polish of your choice.

I haven't polished alot of metal parts, but sand up to 1500 then use some 3M finesse for the final. Soooooo maybe go up to 800 - 1000?

low compression · 01-09-2011, 01:04 AM

Thanks. Ill hit the store in the morning and see what happens.

NoDOHC · 01-10-2011, 07:43 PM

To polish, I start with 80 grit until uniform, step to 160 until uniform, 240, 400, 600, 1000, 1500, 2000, Polishing compound. You get the idea. If you try to polish metal after 400 grit, a lot of the texture will remain.

jerd_hambone · 01-10-2011, 10:04 PM

Yeah. Start very coarse, but be extra careful. It will eat through metal rather quickly if you don't watch it.

low compression · 01-10-2011, 11:22 PM

Well here was todays trial run. Just a quick get the hang of it thing, but it isn't to horrible.

jerd_hambone · 01-11-2011, 05:10 AM

Not too bad. You find out that the hardest part is getting all the nooks and cranny's.

I polished an old style valve cover for my friends 240, It was a PAIN getting the factory powder coat off, and getting the lines and lettering. Used a lot of paint sticks and such to get in there.

RETed · 01-11-2011, 06:56 AM

It's not worth it.
Pay a pro polishing shop to take care of you polishing needs.
They can do it a lot faster and at reasonable prices.

-Ted

low compression · 01-11-2011, 11:23 PM

I agree it may not be worth it , but January in Ohio gets pretty boring too. Im gonna give it another go for the hell of it. And yes jerd the creases sucked and still dont look great.

low compression · 01-11-2011, 11:53 PM

Yet another probably dumb question. Once i weld my bov flange on my polished intercooler pipe can i get the discoloring out?

***TitaniumTT*** · 01-12-2011, 12:30 AM

Yeah, you're gonna want to weld that on BEFORE you polish it.

magus2222 · 02-18-2011, 01:15 PM

i went from this: just your average rough cast vw bug alternator

to this: polished

not my pics, but it looks exactly the same
i used 80 grit to knock it down to a relatively smooth uniform look
then i stepped up to 100, 200, 500, 800, 1000, 1500, 2000, wet sanded, then polished the fuck out it with 2 polishing compounds, course and finishing

it just takes patience. can you do it? of course. will you want to after a few hours? probably not LOL
after doing 1 alternator, i will never polish another part. ill powdercoat before i polish

Lloyd

01-08-2011, 11:38 PM	#1
low compression The Newbie Join Date: Apr 2009 iTrader: (0) Posts: 25 Rep Power: 0	polishing parts? Im bored as hell this winter and waiting on parts for the t2 and decided to try to polish some parts to contrast all the paint. I guess also to compliment my new fd tb, greddy elbow, and what i hope to become a v mount intercooler and piping. I realize the sanding is key to this now just after starting on my booster vacuum line banjo shit, but how far do most go in grit? I thought 400 would be good but after polishing im not happy with appearance. im using turtle wax polishing compound with a dremel buffer afterwards. Do certain metals not polish as well as others or am i way off on my strategy?

01-09-2011, 12:05 AM	#2
*TitaniumTT* Test Whore - Admin Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Right Behind you son iTrader: (4) Posts: 4,581 Rep Power: 10	Way off on the strategy. Go way higher in the grit and use 3M superduty rubbing compound followed by a polish of your choice. I haven't polished alot of metal parts, but sand up to 1500 then use some 3M finesse for the final. Soooooo maybe go up to 800 - 1000? __________________ -The Angry Stig- DGRR 2009, 2011, 2012 & 2013 - Best FC DEALS GAP!! WOOHOOOO!!!!! 2015 Audi S4 - Samantha - Zero Brap S4 2004 RX8 - Jocelyn - 196rwhp, 19mpg fuel to noise converter 2000 Jeep Cherokee Sport - Wifey mobile - Now with 2.5" OME lift and 30" BFG AT KO's! So it begins 1998 Jeep Cherokee - 5 spd, 4" lift, 33" BFG's - Rotary Tow Vehicle 1988 'Vert - In progress 1988 FC Coupe - Gretchen -The attention whore BEAST! I'm a sick individual, what's wrong with you? I'm pure Evil I'm still insane, in the best possible way. I think Brian's idea of romance is using lube. Your rage caused the meteor strike in Russia. The Antichrist would be proud of his minion. You win with your thread. Most everything It's a truck with a steel gate on the back. Just a statement of fact Motec M820, AIM dash, ported 13B-RE Cosmo, 6-spd trans, 4.3 Torsen, custom twin wg fully divided mani, Custom 4" split into 2x 3" exhaust, Custom HMIC, Custom custom custom custom I like to welder stuff.... No Bolt-ons allowed. Dyno'ed @ Speed1 Tuned by me - 405rwhp on WG.... WM50 cuming soon. *-Angry Motherfcker Mode ENGAGED-**

01-10-2011, 07:43 PM	#4
NoDOHC The quest for more torque Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Sheboygan, Wisconsin iTrader: (1) Posts: 855 Rep Power: 17	To polish, I start with 80 grit until uniform, step to 160 until uniform, 240, 400, 600, 1000, 1500, 2000, Polishing compound. You get the idea. If you try to polish metal after 400 grit, a lot of the texture will remain. __________________ 1986 GXL ('87 4-port NA - Haltech E8, LS2 Coils. Defined Autoworks Headers, Dual 2.5" Exhaust (Dual Superflow, dBX mufflers) 1991 Coupe (KYB AGX Shocks, Eibach lowering springs, RB exhaust, Stock and Automatic)

01-12-2011, 12:30 AM	#11
*TitaniumTT* Test Whore - Admin Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Right Behind you son iTrader: (4) Posts: 4,581 Rep Power: 10	Yeah, you're gonna want to weld that on BEFORE you polish it. __________________ -The Angry Stig- DGRR 2009, 2011, 2012 & 2013 - Best FC DEALS GAP!! WOOHOOOO!!!!! 2015 Audi S4 - Samantha - Zero Brap S4 2004 RX8 - Jocelyn - 196rwhp, 19mpg fuel to noise converter 2000 Jeep Cherokee Sport - Wifey mobile - Now with 2.5" OME lift and 30" BFG AT KO's! So it begins 1998 Jeep Cherokee - 5 spd, 4" lift, 33" BFG's - Rotary Tow Vehicle 1988 'Vert - In progress 1988 FC Coupe - Gretchen -The attention whore BEAST! I'm a sick individual, what's wrong with you? I'm pure Evil I'm still insane, in the best possible way. I think Brian's idea of romance is using lube. Your rage caused the meteor strike in Russia. The Antichrist would be proud of his minion. You win with your thread. Most everything It's a truck with a steel gate on the back. Just a statement of fact Motec M820, AIM dash, ported 13B-RE Cosmo, 6-spd trans, 4.3 Torsen, custom twin wg fully divided mani, Custom 4" split into 2x 3" exhaust, Custom HMIC, Custom custom custom custom I like to welder stuff.... No Bolt-ons allowed. Dyno'ed @ Speed1 Tuned by me - 405rwhp on WG.... WM50 cuming soon. *-Angry Motherfcker Mode ENGAGED-**

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01-09-2011, 01:04 AM	#3
low compression The Newbie Join Date: Apr 2009 iTrader: (0) Posts: 25 Rep Power: 0	Thanks. Ill hit the store in the morning and see what happens.

01-11-2011, 11:23 PM	#9
low compression The Newbie Join Date: Apr 2009 iTrader: (0) Posts: 25 Rep Power: 0	I agree it may not be worth it , but January in Ohio gets pretty boring too. Im gonna give it another go for the hell of it. And yes jerd the creases sucked and still dont look great.

01-11-2011, 11:53 PM	#10
low compression The Newbie Join Date: Apr 2009 iTrader: (0) Posts: 25 Rep Power: 0	Yet another probably dumb question. Once i weld my bov flange on my polished intercooler pipe can i get the discoloring out?

02-18-2011, 01:15 PM	#12
magus2222 The Newbie Join Date: Mar 2008 iTrader: (0) Posts: 3 Rep Power: 0	i went from this: just your average rough cast vw bug alternator to this: polished not my pics, but it looks exactly the same i used 80 grit to knock it down to a relatively smooth uniform look then i stepped up to 100, 200, 500, 800, 1000, 1500, 2000, wet sanded, then polished the fuck out it with 2 polishing compounds, course and finishing it just takes patience. can you do it? of course. will you want to after a few hours? probably not LOL after doing 1 alternator, i will never polish another part. ill powdercoat before i polish Lloyd