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[Picker]

Quick question.

I've got some alloy parts that are painted on my Crisp rebuild and I want to strip and polish them.
Do I chemical paintstrip or sand?

Once they are back to raw what is the trick to getting a great finish?

[rsrichie]

I would use paint stripper as sanding them would damage the alloy and make more work, as for polishing elbow greese is generally the best way, ive found the "repo polisher cleaner" in a black bottle from auto stores works a treat, also if you have a dremel type tool with polishing wheels they seem to do a good job but the best method i have found for ease sake is just a standard variable speed drill with a old drill bit or even better a rod with a hole drilled through it, then get a cloth, thread it through the hole then around the rod and walla a buffer that will get into hard places. Oh a bench grinder with a buffing wheel works well to but be carfull not to go to hard on it as you may heat up the item being polished and cause it to tarnish.

[COASTY]

I've been using a bench grinder for this baby. I'm using a watered down solution of autosol but I'm using another polish from work now. Same differene really. The tight spots are the worst bits. Richies tips are the best way for the tight spots.
Mosh Pro XL

[Picker]

Thanks fella's for the feed back!!!!!

[Mon_aro]

I have polished many items over the years and aluminium is a great metal to polish but take care as it is also fairly soft, to get a great shine I use an oxidiser first, then a 600 grit quality sand paper till a good consistant finish is reached, then I move to 1200 grit and finally 2500 grit, I then polish on a buff with a stitched rag wheel and some Tripoli polish then finish with a Loose Leaf Calico wheel with some Calcined Aluminum Oxide(ultrafine) polish, I also have some mini wheels that fit on a spindel that I use in a diegrinder at lower speed for the tight spots. Then just wipe over with a rag and some Autosol and you have a Mirror finish. Please note this is a very lengthy process and most people give up halfway through, but I asure you if you follow these steps you will have a job that you'll be proud to show anyone. I just finished a 28 yr/old Nickel goose frame Last night and here is some pictures of before and after,
 I hope this helps Cheers
(ps nice job on the proXL Coasty)

 

[Mon_aro]

I found these links to some polishing equipment, they are available at bunnings or ebay

http://www.josco.com.au/newsite/jia/products/polishing/polishing.htm

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/BUFFING-WHEELS-POLISHING-KIT-FOR-CARS-BOATS-GOLF-CLUBS_W0QQitemZ270220575838QQihZ017QQcategoryZ42614QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[COASTY]

Holy Moly! That turned out better than my 77 goose did. Thats awsome!

[Picker]

Appreciate the advice, I should invest in some equipment so I can do my rides justice.

The Goose looks awesome!!!