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Author
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Topic: Polishing Aluminum?
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Bob Snelgrove
Member From: san jose, ca
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posted 22 April 2004 07:00 AM
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I'm looking for ideas on how to remove the really fine scratches on the endplates, etc. These are from taking in and out of the case, or from dust scratches. I use a product called "Flitz" which is an excellent, non-abrasive metal polish. (Like Semi-chrome but non-abrasive. It gives a great shine but still leaves the very fine scratches.Anyone used Jewelers Rouge? I don't have a buffing wheel and would rather stay away from that route if possible. thx bob |
Jay Fagerlie
Member From: Lotus, California, USA
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posted 22 April 2004 07:28 AM
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Have you tried "Mothers" alum. polish?
It works real good, doesn't leave scratches.Jay |
Bob Snelgrove
Member From: san jose, ca
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posted 22 April 2004 07:36 AM
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JayI haven't. I thought it was slightly abrasive? I'll check it out. thx bob |
Roger Shackelton
Member From: Everett, Wa.
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posted 22 April 2004 10:04 AM
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Has anyone tried Bon-Ami cleanser for polishing aluminum? It is finely ground volcanic ash (feldspar) and the label says it doesn't scracth.ROGER |
Jay Fagerlie
Member From: Lotus, California, USA
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posted 22 April 2004 10:14 AM
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Bob,
It is slightly abraisive, but that's the only thing that will take out scratches. (Something abrasive)
I use it in conjunction with turtle wax, and it will leave a mirror-like finish on alum. Mothers first, turtle wax second
There was a post awhile back about jewlers compound, you might do a search....I think it was in the no pedal section.Jay |
Erv Niehaus
Member From: Litchfield, MN, USA
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posted 22 April 2004 12:08 PM
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I use Mothers to polish aluminum. I used to use Turtle wax but since I'm getting rather long in the tooth, those suckers are getting harder to catch all the time! 
Uff-Da |
David Cobb
Member From: Chanute, Kansas, USA
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posted 22 April 2004 12:17 PM
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My feelings are that Mother's polish is too abrasive for endplates and pedal bars, but some folks are sold on it. Roger, I'd stay away from Bon Ami.
For most applications it is a great product but I tried it on chromed kitchen faucets and scratched the he$$ out of them.
Before messing up an expensive guitar, I'd first try any prospective polish on a piece of scrap aluminum.
Just my .02 pence. |
Richard Sinkler
Member From: Fremont, California
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posted 22 April 2004 12:39 PM
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Turtle wax? Hmmm.... Have to try it. I use Mothers, by the way. Works great, but so does simichrome. |
Bill Ford
Member From: Graniteville SC Aiken
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posted 22 April 2004 05:01 PM
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Do it in stages, abrasive, non abrasive, wax. Best if it can be removed, is a buffing wheel w/3 stage jewelers rouge.
BF[This message was edited by Bill Ford on 22 April 2004 at 05:02 PM.]
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Bob Carlucci
Member From: Candor, New York, USA
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posted 22 April 2004 05:09 PM
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Mothers for sure.... |
Steven Black
Member From: Gahanna, Ohio, USA
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posted 23 April 2004 04:04 AM
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I buff my end plates with jewelers rouge, I use very fine black sandpaper and sand the endplate then I use the red rouge to pull the scratches out of the end plates, and then the white rouge to polish, lots of time and elbow grease is needed to get a fine finish, most of the items can be found at a hardware store, such as buffing wheels and the rouge in a kit, by the tool section at Home Depot or Lowes stores. steveb |
Jay Ganz
Member From: Out Behind The Barn
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posted 23 April 2004 07:44 AM
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Last time I polished mine I used Dupont No.7
in the flat green/white can. It does
a great job.------------------
My Steel MP3's
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Bob Snelgrove
Member From: san jose, ca
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posted 23 April 2004 01:36 PM
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Thanks, GuysSounds like I should pick up some scrap to practice on. What grade aluminum do we have on our typical endplates? (Emmons, Frankin, Carter) thx bob |
Samuel E. White
Member From: Greeneville TN.
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posted 23 April 2004 06:22 PM
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Come on guys how many of you have been in the service. The good old Brasso does a great job of shinning and no scratch marks. i use it a lot.I will do all my Aluminum on my fessy this comming week as i will be playing at the Kanapolis steel jam.
Sam White |
Dale Bessant
Member From: Gatineau, Quebec, Canada
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posted 23 April 2004 06:24 PM
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Autosol, from Germany works for me..... |
Eric West
Member From: Portland, Oregon, USA
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posted 23 April 2004 07:32 PM
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400 up to 1000 grit sandpaper, wet or dry, and Alcoa Paste. Available at DSU or other Truck places. It's made for the toughest of apps. (Harleys) There's a 3rd step light "sealer" that chemically stops tarnish at a miniscule loss of chrome sheen.  EJL |
Bob Snelgrove
Member From: san jose, ca
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posted 23 April 2004 09:58 PM
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EricDoes Alcoa Paste go by any other name? I did an internet seaerch and came up with nothing. bob |
Eric West
Member From: Portland, Oregon, USA
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posted 24 April 2004 12:33 AM
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I found the Alcoa Website, and a Search for Alcoa Aluminum Polish showed a bunch of sites for it.The Second, or Paste, stage is the pertinent one. Like I said the sealer very slightly dulls the mirror sheen but makes it last a longer time. Any Truck Parts Distributor should have it. There seemed to be a few internet sites for it too. 16-7 bucks is what I paid for it. Check it out. Maybe ask them if they have a dab you can try in the shop. They're usually pretty accommodating. EJL |
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