Polishing aluminum

[Mark Misocky]

Need to know what's the grit sandpaper to use on oxidized aluminum and also the best polish to use.

 

[Scott Hammer TOXIC]

Tee will be along to give some advise on making your tin shine like a new dime. I will tell you he uses "Sharkhide" for the final coat. I do not remember him saying anything about sanding tin....I would think once you sand it you will never get the finish back but I could be wrong.

 

[Mark Misocky]

Thank you. I've tried mothers but it has been polished in a long time.

 

[TOMMY RICH]

Don't sand...just polish and yes it can be a RPIA BUT, the final result will be worth it.

Remember aluminum will start oxidizing the minute you stop polishing..although a few days unfinished should be fine before applying Sharkhide. A quart is all you need with some left over for future touchups. If you decide to do it right...e-mail me and I'll give you a step by step

 

[Ralph Hayden]

TEE



I'd love your instructions to make my tin look like yours



[email protected]

 

[Mark Misocky]

Wow!!! jjob well done yes please email me instructions and the products to use. [email protected]

 

[TOMMY RICH]

Easy three steps guys....



Polish Clean Sharkhide!:lol:



Polish the sides,top cap, bow(down to a little below the waterline) and the transom.

BPS makes a decent polish but, it will take a couple of bottles or you can splurge for the more expensive 3M aluminum polish but, thinks it's over rated IMHO. You'll need a ton of towels because of the black oxidation coming off. You can use a buffer but, be careful of the decals and have plenty of spare bonnets.

I applied Sharkhide with those little 4" foam rollers for painting smaller stuff (works great BTW). Pick a smaller area to apply (say a 2'X 2' area) apply the hide evenly with light even strokes because this stuff is pretty thin..then, LIGHTLY go back over to remove bubbles and uneven spots and runs. Note: Sharkhide starts setting up within a minute or two (thus the 2'X 2' area). The topcap can be applied with a light rag. Stay at least an 1/8" away from decals because it will eat them eventually.

Go to Sharkhide.com to learn more about the product.

Can't say enough good about it....worth it's weght in gold. I use for just about any metal including a 3' brass eagle on the front of my house that I repolished on a buffing wheel then applied the hide.

I think it comes from outer space:lol:



Take pictures when done! One last thing..The SS Tracker looks better today and did you notice the date on the pic?

 

[Eric Herbert]

the best metal polish I have ever used is Harley Davidson pink metal polish, it will turn alum into chrome!!! with some hard work!!!