Felixgogo Posted May 18, 2020 Share Posted May 18, 2020 After seeing a pic on here somewhere (can't find it again), I was moved to polish the alloy fuel tank, just the bit that can be seen from the rear (very low).My arm is about to drop off! And I've not got a mirror like finish yet. Any tips to polish up the alloy (i've got peeks and autoglym metal polish) - can I use my random orbit sander as a polish machine...? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7 wonders of the world Posted May 18, 2020 Share Posted May 18, 2020 I will BM you some notes over that were kindly shared with me by another member - mirror finish no problem !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7 wonders of the world Posted May 18, 2020 Share Posted May 18, 2020 BM's heading your way Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bricol Posted May 19, 2020 Share Posted May 19, 2020 Get hold of some Mothers Mag and Aluminium polish, apply it to a lambswool bonnet on your orbital sander and go find some sunglasses . . . its impressive stuff.I attacked the sides of my Dutton, which is abused as a trials car, and lives outside, uncovered. The bar ali sides were heavily oxidised - within minutes I had a finish in which I could see my reflection. Obviously, not smooth as the aluminium was covered in dents, dings and other damage - but the overall effect was rather good.A year later, with no other work, its still pretty shiny. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Felixgogo Posted May 19, 2020 Author Share Posted May 19, 2020 Neil - thanks for the notes - blimey that's a lot of work! But it seems I'm on the right track, I don't want to buy a polisher - when I have a random sander already. But thanks for proving the concept - it proves it needs machinery to get the best finish.Bricol - thanks also - I'll do just that, I'll get a polishing bonnet on the sander and try Mother's - cheers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Obodiah Posted May 19, 2020 Share Posted May 19, 2020 Vintage Airstream restorers use Nuvite aluminium polish for a mirror finish (the stuff was developed for the aircraft industry) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leadership Team SLR No.77 Posted May 19, 2020 Leadership Team Share Posted May 19, 2020 Here's your target example .... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative Geoff Brown Posted May 21, 2020 Area Representative Share Posted May 21, 2020 I have a 5L tin of WADPOL that I do not want - collection only!I 'acquired' this while still in the mob. The main use was for bare metal finishes especially before the Lightning fighter went NATO cam colours. It was discontinued because overuse wore down rivets & the subsequent build up of dried residue around the rivets caused corrosion! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveMorris Posted May 22, 2020 Share Posted May 22, 2020 Stu, putting that picture up is not really being fair on Felix. From what I remember that 7 is not skinned with Bruces standard grade Aluminium, and a whole heap of money was spent on the build. (I think from talking to the owner that his brakes cost more than the complete re-build of my car !!).It's still gorgeous though and I'd love to go back and visit him one day - to see the beast up close.Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueyedbiker Posted May 23, 2020 Share Posted May 23, 2020 What's the story of the car? (Above). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveMorris Posted May 24, 2020 Share Posted May 24, 2020 Stu - am I correct in thinking that is Micks car (on Mallorca) ? Or is another picture that you found of a nice shiny Caterham. D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative Golf Juliet Tango Posted May 24, 2020 Area Representative Share Posted May 24, 2020 Also remember that Elie wrote an article for LowFlying on polishing aluminium.July 2018 edition - http://lowflying.lotus7.club/2018/2018_07_06_Polish.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leadership Team SLR No.77 Posted May 25, 2020 Leadership Team Share Posted May 25, 2020 Not Mick's car Dave, it's "Sugino's 7", some more info here: http://www.usa7s.net/vb/showthread.php?1081-Sugino-s-Custom-Built-Seven&s=804afafe066cd5e03325d0ff1e29dc36Stu. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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