what do you use for alloy polishing?

[stevo as b4]

I've been trying to polish the aluminium charge air pipework on my car today, mainly using Autosol and old rags. It's better than it was, but is there any better ways to polish alloy tubing especially in tight access areas?

I spose I'm being lazy really, as if I stripped all the induction pipework out, I could use my bench mounted polishing wheel or an expanding drum to fit the tube and use in my drill. Don't think I'll be doing that though, as stripping down miles of pipework and hose clamps just to buff up a few pipes is not really a great use of time lol!

[Bezzer]

You can get felt polishing wheels for dremel type drills that would get into tightish areas and do it quicker than by hand but for the time it would take it would be quicker to take the pipes off and use your bench polisher.
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I used to be indecisive but now I'm not quite so sure.

[stinkwheel]

I use nothing because polishing alloy is a fools errand. Once you start, you can never stop.

It will not make it any faster, more reliable or better handling.
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I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[harscot]

[stevo as b4]

I'll give it another go by hand with some metal polish/t-cut over the weekend, and then throw up a pic of how I've wasted 1/2 a day lol!

I'm tending to agree with Stinkwheel now, as I won't see any shiny alloy pipes when I'm behind the wheel, and the breather catch tank will probably throw a load of oil mist all over everything anyway!

[pike]

[69chris]

i once read somewhere that when you have rubbed the polish (autosol etc) in use newspaper to do the final 'rubbing',
something to do with the paper thats (apparently) better than rags to get a shine

dunno if its true, never tried it meself but worth a go ??

[Walloper]

Polishing is NUTS.

But if you must....

Autosol is the correct grade of grit to use. You must use a compound specific for alloy use due to the size of particles and the way alloy comes off in blobs rather then the dust that comes off steel.

You can use polish impregnated tape to go around things and polish with a sawing action.

Getting into corners requires/involves teadiumness. Cotton Buds on a dremmel or something.

Once polished though the bright finnish will soon tarnish and need doing over again. Although once up to a standard it's not such a slog to maintain.
One solution is to ignore the dificult areas and concentrate on the easy bits.

But shiny still looks mint.
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W-ireless A-rtificial L-ifeform L-imited to O-bservation P-eacekeeping and E-fficient R-epair

[Vincent]

If the surface is rough, try Autosol with steel wool before rags. You need loads of elbow, (or "knuckle"), grease to get into the corners.

I must admit, I can't be arsed with polishing on a bike that's used inj all weathers - too much hassle, but if you're up for it, it can be very rewarding. There are a few places that will polish ally parts and are reasonably priced now.
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