metal polishing

[FLYHAVEN2001]

Has anyone done their own polishing? I want to polish a crusty rear hub that was left outside and is dull and has a crusty rough surface. I was going to buy a polishing pad and some polish and try. Not sure if I should have it bead blasted first to help clean it up. I am going to tear down a descent front rim to make a good back. thanks

[LOUD MOUSE]

I use ALL THREAD with washers to hold the hub in my drill press.<br />Medium speed.<br />I start with heavy grit paper and change the grit as the aluminum looks uniform. (no stains showing)<br />3M pad at the end then I use my polishing motor with Black followed by White compound. ................LM

[fab]

Before you touch it decide what type of finish you want , Chrome look , Satin , flat . Because it's a lot more work if you do a chrome finish &amp; then decide you want Satin.<br />I like Satin on most parts as it looks more original.<br />If you want a satin finish there's no need to buy a buff . <br />Just sand the Item down with wet &amp; dry sand paper if it is not to bad you can start with 800 grit , But if it is corroded you will have to start with 400 grit wet &amp; dry works faster &amp; there's no Dust !! If possibly sand in one back &amp; forth direction Then gradually move onto finer sand paper 400,800, 1200, 2000,<br />With every change in sandpaper change your direction of sanding. Once you have got to 1200 ,1500. Buff the item by hand with 0000 grade Steelwool. Buff in a Circular motion with a little metal polish , then it's a good Idea to wash the Item with truck wash to free it of any compound . Or wipe it off in straight lines with metho . This will produce a Satin finish like the jap bikes of the 60's had .<br /> If you want it to be a Chrome finish , Start buffing after 1200 grit &amp; don't use the steelwool .Then buff with a rag buff on a grinder or hand drill . If you want the Chrome finish most Hardware's sell the kit, which consists of 2 buffing wheels &amp; to compounds<br />Brown is for Hard cutting &amp; white is for the Chrome look.<br /> Hope this helps , I have done a bit of this in my life / Peter