Need help

[rtpassini]

Re: Need help

just my 2 cents. on all my vehicles ive repainted, i have used meguirs polishing compounds (diamond cut) and they worked GREAT

 

[jpmurphy]

Re: Need help

Good work on both...aren't you guys worried about blinding someone on a hot, sunny summer day at the ramp?

I just wanna make sure they see me cummin'. Been to the ramp at a local lake here and it seems to be the gathering place for all the lookieloos checking out all the rigs gettin launched. I just want to make sure I'm in line when CNN visits !

 

[Nova II 260]

Re: Need help

If you use steel wool on alum you will get a black tarnish, use scotch bright pads. Hydroflouric acid (i.e. screen door cleaners) is a commercially available aluminum brightner used by truckers that will clean it and remove some light corrosion. But it won't cure the pitting.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Need help

The black gunk is not from burning it, that's the aluminum being removed from the surface mixed with the compound, you'll get black residue on anything that rubs against aluminum.

This is a popular product for keeping aluminum finishes looking good.

http://www.sharkhide.com/

 

[wca_tim]

Re: Need help

once you get it polished out, you can put a coat of por15 glisten clear on it... use the etching cleaner and I wouldn't be surprised if it stays on great. So far it's staying on all kinds of things I put it on last year (polished metal)... It's pricey, but I'm thoroughly impressed... mag wheels, polished aluminum exhaust manifolds, a stainless prop (out of curiosity)...

 

[sschefer]

Re: Need help

The black gunk is not from burning it, that's the aluminum being removed from the surface mixed with the compound, you'll get black residue on anything that rubs against aluminum.

This is a popular product for keeping aluminum finishes looking good.

http://www.sharkhide.com/

You're right it is the aluminum mixed with the compound. When it gets hot the compound turns to goo if you're using a power polisher. Thinning it down is a trick I learned from an auto detailer to keep it from gumming up the pad and turning to goo.

 

[jpmurphy]

Re: Need help

Thanks again guys. Everything each of you offers is a great help in my research for this project.

By the time we are done I should have enough tried and true info to publish a "boat restoration for dumbies" book. Which is what I could use right now !

As for costs; I don't mind spending the money for the "good" stuff, I just hate to waste money buying materials that claim to work but don't.

Keep 'em coming ! I feel like a kid in a candy store !


Many Thanks..

 

[jpmurphy]

Re: Need help

once you get it polished out, you can put a coat of por15 glisten clear on it... use the etching cleaner and I wouldn't be surprised if it stays on great. So far it's staying on all kinds of things I put it on last year (polished metal)... It's pricey, but I'm thoroughly impressed... mag wheels, polished aluminum exhaust manifolds, a stainless prop (out of curiosity)...

Question on the etching cleaner. AP120 Metal Prep.(Por15 website)
Once I get the hull cleaned of all the nasties, then polish it with the 3M restorer and polish I first bought, won't the etching metal prep dull the polished finish ? This etching metal prep is to create better adhesion for the final glisten application, yes ?