metal polish

yeprat1 · Post by **yeprat1** » Wed May 31, 2006 4:44 pm

ive got a set of alloy wheels i want to polish so i can sell them does anyone know what is a good polish to use there are a few around and is it easier by hand or can u get a special polisher maybe

Devilrod · Post by **Devilrod** » Wed May 31, 2006 5:06 pm

Whatever you use, read the instructions first before purchasing. Some eat into alloy. I have used Bright Shine (cotton wool soaked in something) and the other I use comes in a tube, but I can't think of the name just this minute.. Will look when I get home. Buffing pads on a bench grinder will give a better finish with the right cutters though, maybe look into having them polished profesionally.

stinky · Post by **stinky** » Wed May 31, 2006 5:07 pm

Some hardware stores sell spindle mounts and buffs for your drill to do this work. They sell the polish sticks too, then just use a "normal" metal polish to finish them up and clean off the residual polish from the buffs.
While the end result is satisfying, it is a filthy dirty job.

EK-179 · Post by **EK-179** » Wed May 31, 2006 5:47 pm

I highly recomend Mothers polish. Works extremely well on anything thats alloy/stainless/chrome. They also have a drill attachement that works extremely well.

just my thoughts..

Post by **Blacky** » Wed May 31, 2006 6:12 pm

Autosol works pretty good too , it comes in a tube like toothpaste , gold and black box. Around $8 a tube and lasts for yonks.

Devilrod · Post by **Devilrod** » Wed May 31, 2006 10:15 pm

Blacky wrote:Autosol works pretty good too , it comes in a tube like toothpaste , gold and black box. Around $8 a tube and lasts for yonks.

Thats the stuff! Bit messy but very good.

stinky · Post by **stinky** » Wed May 31, 2006 11:33 pm

The best "tube" polish I ever used was "Blue Magic", but I don't think it's available in Australia any more. I found Autosol a bit too gritty and didn't give as good a finish. Meguiars sells a pretty good metal polish, smells real nice too! If you get desperate I heard toothpaste works as a polish or a paste of bicarb soda and water.

If you get into the science of polishing before you start it helps. At the end of the day you are just making large scratches smaller and smaller. If the surface you are going to polish is corroded or very dull, you are better of hitting it with fine sandpaper first to get a nice smooth finish, then move onto the polishing gear.

I've a few items for a few show cars over the years, still do the odd item from time to time. Never do another V8 bloody manifold though!

row1 · Post by **row1** » Thu Jun 01, 2006 2:35 pm

auto sol is the best i rekon