Polishing and Sanding Aluminum

[cwcad]

I had a chance to get to the other side using some suggestions from the folks on the forum.
I used a 320 grit,1000grit, and 1500 grit sand paper with PC. Then I used the rotary and Poorboy’s SSR2.5 and finished off with ProPolish from Poorboy’s. It certainly is not perfect but a heck of a lot better. I have ordered other things and will post the results at a later date.







I think it looks better..... Do YOU?

[ArmstrongDetailing]

Just have it painted black and save yourself all that work. It clashes with all the chrome you have anyways. IMO.

Polishing Aluminum is among my least favorite parts of detailing. Everything you use turns black (including me) and the big flat panels like that are very hard to make look right.

[Beemerboy]

Originally Posted by Troy@DetailCity

Just have it painted black and save yourself all that work. It clashes with all the chrome you have anyways. IMO.

Polishing Aluminum is among my least favorite parts of detailing. Everything you use turns black (including me) and the big flat panels like that are very hard to make look right.

I guess it to each his own, but I agree with you on the painting of the panels, from two stand points...

1 easier to maintain

2 would even out the look of the trucks appearance....

also I would have to wonder about blinding the crap out of someone passing you...heck for that matter you could roast a small chicken in the reflection

[cwcad]

I have time to work. Unfortunately I do not have money for a paint job. Just trying to make it look better. The aluminum canopy was a necessary evil. I did not have it made to make the truck look better just more serviceable for my needs. As long as I have it on I must make do.

[CharlesW]

Who's the skinny guy taking the pictures?

Charles

[Beemerboy]

Originally Posted by cwcad

I have time to work. Unfortunately I do not have money for a paint job. Just trying to make it look better. The aluminum canopy was a necessary evil. I did not have it made to make the truck look better just more serviceable for my needs. As long as I have it on I must make do.

More than understandable!!

[Poorboy]

Originally Posted by cwcad

I had a chance to get to the other side using some suggestions from the folks on the forum.
I used a 320 grit,1000grit, and 1500 grit sand paper with PC. Then I used the rotary and Poorboy’s SSR2.5 and finished off with ProPolish from Poorboy’s. It certainly is not perfect but a heck of a lot better. I have ordered other things and will post the results at a later date.







I think it looks better..... Do YOU?

fantastic improvement ...a little more time with PP and a finishing pad and it will completely even out

Originally Posted by Troy@DetailCity

Just have it painted black and save yourself all that work. It clashes with all the chrome you have anyways. IMO.

Polishing Aluminum is among my least favorite parts of detailing. Everything you use turns black (including me) and the big flat panels like that are very hard to make look right.

I wouldn't paint it , but yes aluminum like that is a PIA to make look perfect

Originally Posted by Beemerboy

also I would have to wonder about blinding the crap out of someone passing you...heck for that matter you could roast a small chicken in the reflection

what? let them put on their sun glasses ....and I like mine BBQ

Originally Posted by CharlesW

Who's the skinny guy taking the pictures?

Charles

Yeah who's the skinny guy there

[tuscarora dave]

Nice job on the aluminum Kirk, I know the truck has been and gone but thank you for turning me onto this thread and thanks for becoming a fan of TDMAD. I just put the two together.

[njcarting1]

I would try the polish I have found to be better than most on my stuff. Its called "GORDS POLISH" You can find the stuff on the net its a company out of Texas. The stuff is like water, its very watery and will fly on the rotary application. Its a dirty job but the stuff is hands down better that most by hand, or machine use. My trucks aluminum was not in very good shape when we started and now is near perfect. The stuff also contains a protectant mixed in so the aluminum will not be unprotected and re dull any time soon. The shipping is fast, results are proven, its a great product.

PP is also great as well but I feel you might work harder correcting older neglected aluminum with PP. The Gords will get er done faster and the PP will keep the stuff perfect after the gloss comes back.

[Gus-Gus]

GOood job

[Reddwarf]

I think you found the right combo the second try. Looks really good.

[cwcad]

I really miss the old Black truck. It took a lot of work that I never considered work until I lost a lot of strength. Then it became to much. Maybe I will get back to that again if the strength returns.

[Concours.John]

If you do paint it make sure whoever does it uses a primer wth a slow catalizer like PPG DP-90 with PPG_401 after sanding. Normal fast catalizing primers are for steel slow are for aluminum. Thats why people have issues sometimes with painted aluminum. Just a thought.

Truck looks good man. Polishing aluminum what a mess. Done alot if trim in the past for restorations. Black everywhere.

Have had good success on sealing aluminum with Zoop Seal you can get it through Eastwood or Zoopseal.com let them know the size of your project. Works great on non clear rims as well. They "claim" two years protection but we've always done it yearly. If this was mentioned in the link, sorry I couln't open it for some reason.