1962 Superhawk Restoration: Here I go

Spargett · Post by **Spargett** » Sun Feb 08, 2009 7:33 pm

I've been wet sanding down the valve covers and polishing, trying to get alot of the wear and scratches out. Starting with 320 - 400 - 600 - 1000. Then running a wire wheel brush over it all and polishing with Mothers mag and aluminum polish. I've noticed there's a bit of "rippling" in the aluminum in some parts. Its so odd to me. Does anyone know what that might be? Also, if you have any tips for me on doing a better job, I'm all ears. I spend about 2 hours on each cover.

Just an FYI: You can click on any photos, which will take you to the Flickr page where they can be enlarged to 1200px.

Here's two of four "finished":

davomoto · Post by **davomoto** » Sun Feb 08, 2009 7:43 pm

The rippling might be from the wire wheel. If you plan on doing more polishing in the future, invest in a buffing wheel, and polishing compounds. It takes me less that 5 minutes per valve cover cap, with no sanding , unless there are deep gouges. I got mine at Sears, around 100 bucks. On the cheap, you can get one that attaches to a drill, and still save yourself a lot of time and energy!

davomoto

Gunner_CAF · Post by **Gunner_CAF** » Sun Feb 08, 2009 10:02 pm

I have been using a 4 dollar cloth buffing wheel chucked into an electric drill and the white stick polishing compound. It will shine these up like chrome.

If you havn't read this thread, you should. Lot's of great pictures!

http://www.honda305.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1881

Gunner

Spargett · Post by **Spargett** » Mon Feb 09, 2009 8:10 am

Thanks guys. Sounds like a bench grinder is certainly the way to go. Do you think something like this would be adequate? I'm trying to keep things on more of a budget.

1/3 HP 5" Bench Grinder

@Gunner_CAF Yeah, that C200 thread is a great resources and inspiration. I sure wish the paint on my tank came off the way his did! He makes it all look so easy : )

@davomoto That's a great guess on the rippling, but I was there before the wire wheel even touched it. Possibly done by someone else? I was thinking there might have been a specific kind of corrosion uniform with that pattern, etc.

davomoto · Post by **davomoto** » Mon Feb 09, 2009 6:05 pm

The problem with using a bench grinder is that the arks are tucked in right next to the motor. Fine for small parts, but a big pain for anything bigger.

davomoto

Goodysnap · Post by **Goodysnap** » Mon Feb 09, 2009 6:14 pm

I picked up an air buffer that looks alot like an inline die grinder . Came in a nice kit w/ all three compounds and multiple pads for 100 new . If you have an air compressor? It was an inexpensive alternative to buying a large buffer.

Gunner_CAF · Post by **Gunner_CAF** » Mon Feb 09, 2009 9:57 pm

Spargett wrote:Thanks guys. Sounds like a bench grinder is certainly the way to go. Do you think something like this would be adequate? I'm trying to keep things on more of a budget.

1/3 HP 5" Bench Grinder

That's a Goldwing compared to my 4 inch cloth wheel on a corded electric drill :)

Gunner