polishing cast aluminum?

dngrous_dime · 02-08-2009, 11:44 AM

Okay, so I picked up a set of cast aluminum valve covers last night on Ebay, for my project. Anyone have any tips on polishing these fvckers? I'll try to get a pic loaded later.

Only certain portions will be polished, the rest will be powdercoated.

evanspears1 · 02-08-2009, 12:29 PM

Mother mag and aluminum polish... and considerable amounts of elbow grease... I polished a cast aluminum throttle body elboy for my talon, it took a couple of days of tv time polishing on that bastard, but mothers took it from charcoal gray, to nearly as shiny as my chrome intercooler pipes...

dunno what your wanting polished, but if it is accessible enough, try a buffer, or if its small stuff like the tops of letters, try a dremel with a polishing wheel...

I dont know if this is the fastest way to get a mirror polish, but I know it works good!

greencactus3 · 02-08-2009, 01:10 PM

buffing wheel on a bench grinder

dngrous_dime · 02-08-2009, 01:11 PM

My research online has led me to believe that a palm sander to take down the rough stuff will work, and then a set of buffing wheels with varying grit compounds will be the best way.
And I already said "cast aluminum valve covers". Just the flat surfaces and convex areas will be polished, the rest will be powdercoated a yet-to-be-determined color.

'91 Shortbox · 02-20-2009, 07:22 AM

+ 1 with the mothers. Polish completely, and repeat the step 2 or 3 times. It takes a while, but it's worth it. use either soft rags and rotate often, or use a 3-M type buffing pad(s) with a drill. Also, Mothers is petrolium based, so the pads can be used over and over by simply cleaning them out with paint thinner.

tt85_GM · 02-22-2009, 03:17 PM

maybe even go as far down as a 1000 or 2000 grit then polish.

any pics yet dngrous?

neo71665 · 02-22-2009, 03:58 PM

Fiero covers by any chance?

If your getting them powder coated they should polish them before they coat them so the finish is smoother. My coater even asked me if I wanted them back like they were and cleared.

GET_LOW · 02-22-2009, 05:43 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by dngrous_dime

Okay, so I picked up a set of cast aluminum valve covers last night on Ebay, for my project.

i never knew you had a project. What is it?

dngrous_dime · 02-22-2009, 06:30 PM

The valve covers are actually in the back seat of my car, which is at my mechanic's house right now.

They're not Fiero covers. I'll see if anyone can guess, once they see them. I'm leaning towards the full polish, and then coating the recessed areas second. Although the tough part is going to be selecting a color to coat them in, but that can be done later after they get polished.

Jordan, my project is a motor swap in my truck. I'm calling it Project Classified, and there won't be very much progress at all until I get a parts car. (Classified because only a very select few people know what it is, and it's getting classier.)

Deeze49686 · 02-22-2009, 06:52 PM

no way..... you are polishing em, and then using stiff roller to accent the ribs to match the paint of the engine!

thats classy!

Deeze49686 · 02-22-2009, 06:53 PM

paint shop emm, and see!

dngrous_dime · 02-22-2009, 06:56 PM

Yeah, pretty much... I'll see if Misty can do something in PS with them, I suck at graphics work.

GET_LOW · 02-22-2009, 07:42 PM

FILL ME IN FOOL!

I won't tell!

dngrous_dime · 02-22-2009, 07:44 PM

If you're lucky, and all goes well, it will be at the Oaktown show. If not finished and all installed, it'll be strapped into the bed.

Deeze49686 · 02-22-2009, 07:47 PM

the driveline will be done, maybe not all the body work, or the rear end swap.

BTW, we gotta plan a caddilac run to see if that shit will work.

dngrous_dime · 02-22-2009, 07:51 PM

Even if the cab corners are just cut out and the rust stripped off, it'll at least be started. Without the go-fast goodies, I'm thinking the stock rear will do fine for now...

Will a 91-93 F-bod trans work as well as the 91-93 fox-body? Everything I'm reading online says it's a WC.

Deeze49686 · 02-22-2009, 07:58 PM

if it has a 2 wire speed sensor it will.

Hydraulic clutch?

dngrous_dime · 02-22-2009, 08:01 PM

That's the plan.

dngrous_dime · 02-22-2009, 08:05 PM

Wahoo!!! http://www.skulte.com/T56.html is telling me I could run a T56, as an almost bolt-in swap?

samandjen1 · 03-01-2009, 07:02 PM

you need to sand them down to smooth the surface , I start with 320, 400, 600, 1000,1200 red/ brown rouge on a buffer, then white on a buffer both with sewn spiral wheels. then use the mothrers. Here are some pics on my 2. valve cover I just finished took just about 8 hours to do.

Before

After

dngrous_dime · 03-01-2009, 07:03 PM

That looks GOOOD!

samandjen1 · 03-01-2009, 07:08 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by dngrous_dime

That looks GOOOD!

Thanks
its a lot of elbow grease

02-08-2009, 11:44 AM	#1
dngrous_dime Project Classified LIVES! Age: 29 Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 15,190 Location: 49633 User is: OffLine	polishing cast aluminum? Okay, so I picked up a set of cast aluminum valve covers last night on Ebay, for my project. Anyone have any tips on polishing these fvckers? I'll try to get a pic loaded later. Only certain portions will be polished, the rest will be powdercoated.
	[Reply w/Quote]

02-08-2009, 12:29 PM	#2
evanspears1 what? Age: 20 Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 368 Location: Prestonsburg, Ky User is: OffLine	Re: polishing cast aluminum? Mother mag and aluminum polish... and considerable amounts of elbow grease... I polished a cast aluminum throttle body elboy for my talon, it took a couple of days of tv time polishing on that bastard, but mothers took it from charcoal gray, to nearly as shiny as my chrome intercooler pipes... dunno what your wanting polished, but if it is accessible enough, try a buffer, or if its small stuff like the tops of letters, try a dremel with a polishing wheel... I dont know if this is the fastest way to get a mirror polish, but I know it works good!
	[Reply w/Quote]

02-08-2009, 01:10 PM	#3
greencactus3 bellcranks no more Age: 22 Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 23,488 Location: ann arbor, mi User is: OffLine	Re: polishing cast aluminum? buffing wheel on a bench grinder
	[Reply w/Quote]

02-08-2009, 01:11 PM	#4
dngrous_dime Project Classified LIVES! Age: 29 Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 15,190 Location: 49633 User is: OffLine	Re: polishing cast aluminum? My research online has led me to believe that a palm sander to take down the rough stuff will work, and then a set of buffing wheels with varying grit compounds will be the best way. And I already said "cast aluminum valve covers". Just the flat surfaces and convex areas will be polished, the rest will be powdercoated a yet-to-be-determined color.
	[Reply w/Quote]

02-20-2009, 07:22 AM	#5
'91 Shortbox Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 47 Location: Hartwood, VA User is: OffLine	Re: polishing cast aluminum? + 1 with the mothers. Polish completely, and repeat the step 2 or 3 times. It takes a while, but it's worth it. use either soft rags and rotate often, or use a 3-M type buffing pad(s) with a drill. Also, Mothers is petrolium based, so the pads can be used over and over by simply cleaning them out with paint thinner.
	[Reply w/Quote]

02-22-2009, 03:17 PM	#6
tt85_GM I AM CANADIAN Age: 24 Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 5,337 Location: Ont. Canada User is: OffLine	Re: polishing cast aluminum? maybe even go as far down as a 1000 or 2000 grit then polish. any pics yet dngrous?
	[Reply w/Quote]

02-22-2009, 03:58 PM	#7
neo71665 4x4 v6 blazer Age: 29 Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 5,002 Location: rison arkansas User is: OffLine	Re: polishing cast aluminum? Fiero covers by any chance? If your getting them powder coated they should polish them before they coat them so the finish is smoother. My coater even asked me if I wanted them back like they were and cleared.
	[Reply w/Quote]

02-22-2009, 05:43 PM	#8
GET_LOW B JELUS Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 4,406 Location: GH, MI User is: OffLine	Re: polishing cast aluminum? Quote: Originally Posted by dngrous_dime Okay, so I picked up a set of cast aluminum valve covers last night on Ebay, for my project. i never knew you had a project. What is it?
	[Reply w/Quote]

02-22-2009, 06:30 PM	#9
dngrous_dime Project Classified LIVES! Age: 29 Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 15,190 Location: 49633 User is: OffLine	Re: polishing cast aluminum? The valve covers are actually in the back seat of my car, which is at my mechanic's house right now. They're not Fiero covers. I'll see if anyone can guess, once they see them. I'm leaning towards the full polish, and then coating the recessed areas second. Although the tough part is going to be selecting a color to coat them in, but that can be done later after they get polished. Jordan, my project is a motor swap in my truck. I'm calling it Project Classified, and there won't be very much progress at all until I get a parts car. (Classified because only a very select few people know what it is, and it's getting classier.)
	[Reply w/Quote]

02-22-2009, 06:52 PM	#10
Deeze49686 I'm slap happy, bitches! Age: 36 Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 2,174 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: polishing cast aluminum? no way..... you are polishing em, and then using stiff roller to accent the ribs to match the paint of the engine! thats classy!
	[Reply w/Quote]

02-22-2009, 06:53 PM	#11
Deeze49686 I'm slap happy, bitches! Age: 36 Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 2,174 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: polishing cast aluminum? paint shop emm, and see!
	[Reply w/Quote]

02-22-2009, 06:56 PM	#12
dngrous_dime Project Classified LIVES! Age: 29 Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 15,190 Location: 49633 User is: OffLine	Re: polishing cast aluminum? Yeah, pretty much... I'll see if Misty can do something in PS with them, I suck at graphics work.
	[Reply w/Quote]

02-22-2009, 07:42 PM	#13
GET_LOW B JELUS Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 4,406 Location: GH, MI User is: OffLine	Re: polishing cast aluminum? FILL ME IN FOOL! I won't tell!
	[Reply w/Quote]

02-22-2009, 07:44 PM	#14
dngrous_dime Project Classified LIVES! Age: 29 Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 15,190 Location: 49633 User is: OffLine	Re: polishing cast aluminum? If you're lucky, and all goes well, it will be at the Oaktown show. If not finished and all installed, it'll be strapped into the bed.
	[Reply w/Quote]

02-22-2009, 07:47 PM	#15
Deeze49686 I'm slap happy, bitches! Age: 36 Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 2,174 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: polishing cast aluminum? the driveline will be done, maybe not all the body work, or the rear end swap. BTW, we gotta plan a caddilac run to see if that shit will work.
	[Reply w/Quote]

02-22-2009, 07:51 PM	#16
dngrous_dime Project Classified LIVES! Age: 29 Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 15,190 Location: 49633 User is: OffLine	Re: polishing cast aluminum? Even if the cab corners are just cut out and the rust stripped off, it'll at least be started. Without the go-fast goodies, I'm thinking the stock rear will do fine for now... Will a 91-93 F-bod trans work as well as the 91-93 fox-body? Everything I'm reading online says it's a WC.
	[Reply w/Quote]

02-22-2009, 07:58 PM	#17
Deeze49686 I'm slap happy, bitches! Age: 36 Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 2,174 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: polishing cast aluminum? if it has a 2 wire speed sensor it will. Hydraulic clutch?
	[Reply w/Quote]

02-22-2009, 08:01 PM	#18
dngrous_dime Project Classified LIVES! Age: 29 Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 15,190 Location: 49633 User is: OffLine	Re: polishing cast aluminum? That's the plan.
	[Reply w/Quote]

02-22-2009, 08:05 PM	#19
dngrous_dime Project Classified LIVES! Age: 29 Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 15,190 Location: 49633 User is: OffLine	Re: polishing cast aluminum? Wahoo!!! http://www.skulte.com/T56.html is telling me I could run a T56, as an almost bolt-in swap?
	[Reply w/Quote]

03-01-2009, 07:02 PM	#20
samandjen1 Polishing Guru Age: 36 Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 5,785 Location: South Jersey User is: OffLine	Re: polishing cast aluminum? you need to sand them down to smooth the surface , I start with 320, 400, 600, 1000,1200 red/ brown rouge on a buffer, then white on a buffer both with sewn spiral wheels. then use the mothrers. Here are some pics on my 2. valve cover I just finished took just about 8 hours to do. Before After
	[Reply w/Quote]

03-01-2009, 07:03 PM	#21
dngrous_dime Project Classified LIVES! Age: 29 Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 15,190 Location: 49633 User is: OffLine	Re: polishing cast aluminum? That looks GOOOD!
	[Reply w/Quote]

03-01-2009, 07:08 PM	#22
samandjen1 Polishing Guru Age: 36 Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 5,785 Location: South Jersey User is: OffLine	Re: polishing cast aluminum? Quote: Originally Posted by dngrous_dime That looks GOOOD! Thanks its a lot of elbow grease
	[Reply w/Quote]