Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Mistydog]

Does anyone know an easy way to polish aluminum?
I had to get brackets/hinges made up to hold rear number plate and tail-lights for a 1934 Austin 10. These have been machined out of aluminum and therefore are quite fiddlely. Can they be chromed?

[Uncle Joe]

I wish that I knew an easy way to polish aluminium myself. Possibly the best way if you are willing to spend the cash is to get them done professionally?

Yes, they can be chromed, but have you thought of nickel plating them instead, and then giving them a coat of clear laquer?

Some of the guys that I know that are into aircraft use the Swift method, but its still time consuming.

Hope this helps!

[ukdave2002]

Hi
When I was at school we had aluminium casting facilites, one of our teachers was restoring an old crock (might have been an austin 7) that was missing a door handle. We used the other door handle as a pattern and cast in sand, I seem to remember we made about half a dozen. We then had to clean them up and cut a thread in them for the retaining screw. He sent them off to be chromed, they came back and looked fantastic.

I would avoid laquer on something like a hinge or catch becuase it will chip off and then look messy.

Dave

[pigtin]

I bought an old buffing spindle at a boot fair some years ago and a cloth buffer and some compound to go with it.

Attached it to a 1hp electric motor, and started buffing the timing cover from a BSA B31... the cover flew up into my face, cutting my nose and breaking my glasses... you guessed? like a prat I had the motor running in the wrong direction. When sorted it worked quite well, but hard, boring, and dirty work.

Don.

[Mistydog]

Thank you for the replies. I suppose I was asking more in hope than expectation! I was hoping someone would say - make up a mix of xyz, immerse items for 5 minutes, and hey presto, very shiny items. It was worth a try!!!!

[Job-Rated]

Get it down to 1400 wet & dry then go wet, then use a polishing wheel and the right jolop.

Lots of work, but worth the result!
_________________
Don't run your fingers over my truck & I won't run my truck over your fingers!


http://www.loosechange-band.co.uk/

[rustyreks]

Not sure if this is correct but to stop aluminium from fading dont they anodise it and if anodised the surface is hardened and can be highly polished the process is like electrolsis any one know any more..on this..

[Uncle Joe]

Surfaces that are anodised have to be cleaned up beforehand, as the process will not cover up a poor surface. A lot depends on the result that is required, but it will probably have to be polished with around 1200 grit paper prior to the treatment. Then it should be sealed to prevent staining.

Coloured anodising is simply a stain used prior to sealing.

It is possible to anodise at home though....

[Job-Rated]

Captain Kirk used to get 'anodised' every week when they beamed him down to the surface...

Sorry, I think I need another pill...
_________________
Don't run your fingers over my truck & I won't run my truck over your fingers!


http://www.loosechange-band.co.uk/

[Rdover]

There is no alternative to hard graft, you either do it yourself or pay for someone else to do it.

I've polished a beer keg that I used as a fuel tank and it took days. Smaller parts take an hour or two using a cheaply bought drill mounted kit.

I can heartily recommend Belgom Alu as an ally polish and protector.