Metal polishing problems.

Right, I knew this wasn't going to be easy but it's really pissing me off now! I've got the turbo pipes and heat shield off to polish but getting nowhere fast. I used a wire brush on a bench grinder to clean the parts up which worked fine but I can't get rid of the all the little marks from the casting process. I'm using a 4 inch mop on the bench grinder with an 80 grit abrasive compound to start but it barely seems to make any difference. The top of the IACV assembly (which was flat and quite smooth anyway) came up brilliantly though. Am I doing something wrong??

your best off removing all marks with a sander or by hand with some 300 grit and working your way up to a finer grit then using the mop just to poilish it ,

your best off removing all marks with a sander or by hand with some 300 grit and working your way up to a finer grit then using the mop just to poilish it ,

I was wondering that. I though that was effectively what the abrasive compounds were though? After all the stuff I've bought I would probably have been cheaper getting someone to do it for me, but where's the sense of achievement in that?!

lol it will take you ages to remove mark with the mop and compound ! much quicker by hand mate

I use an orbital sander with anything from 60 to 120 grit, that usually leaves a finnish that you can deal with by coarse mop/soap.

You say you are using the greasless compound ?

You apply it to the mop liberally covering the whole surface then you have to let it dry for at least 2 hours but ideally overnight. To speed it up put it on a low temperature setting in your oven.

You say you are using the greasless compound ?

 

You apply it to the mop liberally covering the whole surface then you have to let it dry for at least 2 hours but ideally overnight.

Used this sort of thing. Coated the mops and left them overnight. It does remove it eventually but you have to hold the pipe on the mop in the same place for f**king ages!!

Metal polishing isn't quick !

What sort of power does that grinder have to it can you apply firm pressure without it slowing down ?

To be honest you would have been better off buying flap wheels they are cheaper and last longer.

Metal polishing isn't quick

Yeah, but this is ridiculous!!

What sort of power does that grinder have to it can you apply firm pressure without it slowing down ?

It's 150w and you can stop it completely pretty easily to be honest.

If i were you, i would stop using the greasless compounds and buy some flap wheels, they are a couple of quid, or if you search ebay you could get a job lot for about £5 look for 120 grit to 240 grit but with the lack of power on your bench grinder i would go as high as 360 grit before starting with the sisal mop and grey compound.

Apply the grey compound regularly to the mop little and often is the key,the majority of the cutting power comes from the compound.

If i were you, i would stop using the greasless compounds and buy some flap wheels, they are a couple of quid, or if you search ebay you could get a job lot for about £5 look for 120 grit to 240 grit but with the lack of power on your bench grinder i would go as high as 360 grit before starting with the sisal mop and grey compound.

Cheers mate, will do. Might look for a proper grinder while I'm at it.

Cheers mate, will do. Might look for a proper grinder while I'm at it.

Are you going to be doing it alot ? if no then don't bother, the first year or so when i started i just used an electric drill

Has anybody ever used a dremel for this? Which tool number?

Are you going to be doing it alot ?

I very much doubt it!!

I sand all mine down by hand using a heavy grit sand paper once the shape is there I go down to a fine wet and dry paper use plenty of wd40 with it once all the scraches are removed you can polish.

all about the prepping