Best Method for polishing up alloy components.

[Matt Hall]

Hi,

I am in the process of putting a couple of Clockworks together, picked up a few items that need some TLC and was wondering what the best way to get a nice shiney finish was. The main item is some old XT 732 cranks.

:?: :?:

Cheers

Matt

 

[paininthe]

May I point you to this topic, which has a link in to an even better topic.

http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewto ... highlight=

 

[Matt Hall]

Thanks.

 

[lankshear1976]

I use autosol brings thongs up brilliantly I hve 20 yr old marin and has been sitting in open front shed for the past 15 yes of it's life and the mechs look as good as new as do the wheels

 

[mountainloz]

I use autosol brings thongs up brilliantly I hve 20 yr old...

interesting use of autosol

 

[Supernaut]

Sent you a PM Matt.

 

[silverclaws]

Autosol with a dremel polishing set, then final clean with copper or silver polish, I find Goddard's long term polish to be the best, as it is I believe supposed to leave behind a tarnish inhibitor to maintain a longer lasting shine, and it does.

Did the ally an the bike recently, and the finish is mirror shiny, a deep pleasing shine

Despite the fact I like the raw aluminium bits on my bike to be shiny, there is a practical reason for this too, mud and musddy water doesn't tend to stick as well to shiny things, less cleaning !

 

[dyna-ti]

Start with wet and dry @ 600 then move to 1000 then 4000 then 6000,finish off using 0000 grade wire wool
Apply metal polish[which itself is a very fine abrasive] and polish up


The dremel can be a bit rough,it can easily cut more than you want it to :?
Personally i like doing the finishing by hand

 

[the great roberto]

Dont use a flapper wheel like i did. It takes ages to polish those bits out. Doh !

 

[jimo746]

I find Mothers Mag & Alloy polish pretty good for bike and car bits.