For all of you that have polished aluminum parts, like the alt. or h20 pump for example, what do you do to keep it looking good? Just polish semi often or do you use a clear coat of some type? If so what kind, how's it holding up and where did you get it?
TIA

 

Here's some of the polishing that I have done.

http://www.netsnapshot.com/pcw/build...UNT=1058&KEY=4

I just hit it again with some Mother's aluminum polish from time to time.

When I first got my valve covers I tried some Nylac clear coat from Eastwood but after a while the dirt seemed to get embedded into it and they looked pretty bad so I removed it.

 

That looks good and basically what I am looking to do this over the summer. I have used a "high quality" clear coat spray a few years ago ,well more like 10, and I really didn't like it. I wasn't sure if maybe something changed in the clear coat products available but I'm glad to hear that w/ a little touch up it stays nice for you. Do you have any engine bay pics?
Thanks for the reply.

 

I am trying to polish my throttle body right now. What is your technique? and how do you get in all the corners? I have been using a wire wheel brush w/ dremel and have been getting an uneven finish.
Your parts look great and I would like to try to get mine to look the same.

Jeff D.

 

Corners and crivices are a beotch. I sanded all of my stuff first, starting with as course a grit as needed and working my way to 220 grit. Then I used Tripoli followed by White Rouge compounds.

I have a die grinder and for sanding I had a variety of drum rolls and tapers, the smallest of which were 1/8" in diameter that allowed me to get into the corners pretty well. But, I also did some hand sanding and would fold up a piece of paper to get into tight corners.

For the compounds I have a variety of wheels and buffs.

Polishing is a lot of work.

Next things on my list are the Throttle body, MAF housing, and alternator bracket.

Good luck

 

Thxs for the reply. I have only been using a small wire brush on a dremel for clean up and a felt wheel and the redish polishing compound that dremel sells for polishing. I don't think it is rouge though. They call it jewerly polish.

I see that am going at this all wrong. I am going to Sears today to find some sandpaper rolls and red rouge and tripoli. I thought sandpaper would be to harsh but if I stay with the wire brush it will take forever. I am going to try various grit rolls and work up in grit number then try out some rouge then finish with tripoli. I am definity getting this throttle body powder coated clear when I am done considering all the work envolved.

Jeff D.

 

I saw something on the show Trucks that you rub on and then off and it's supposed to keep the part shiney for a long time. I don't remember what it's called though. Sorry, maybe someone else knows.

 

ROCKN SS- Very nice work.
You should really think about making you own "how to polish" web page. Maybe some pictures of the various stages and what you did on each of them. Anyway your parts looks great

 

Werd.

I have a Craftsman rotary tool (one speed, 35,000 RPM). This thread has gotten me thinking about polishing some of my own stuff. I would only polish something small, like the alternator bracket on for my 3.4, but I think it would be good because in the future when I get a V8 (and I will...), I would like to do some polishing like you did.

That LT1 intake manifold is absolutly stunning!!! That must've taken a looooooonnng time to do!

 

I saw that a few times and now can't remember the name. I keep thinking "Goop" or "Swoop". I am likely way off but it is something with letters. If anyone knows what that is please let us know. I am so sick of polishing the brake lines every 10 days since they get covered in a thin layer of rust very soon after polishing. I thought that they were SS or aluminum but it seems not.

 

www.zoops.com