Polishing cast.

[dmontzsta]

I have my boat totally torn apart and I am polishing every part and re-rigging the entire thing.
The problem I keep having is...
I polish down pieces and I seem to always have really fine scratch marks, I have tried taking down the wheel to the next layer and it is still there.
Should I be doing finishing work with the polisher? or should I take a low speed drill with a polishing bit and get them out?
I am looking for you cast polishing experts. :cool:

[dmontzsta]

haha, thanks. :hammer2:
I wish I could go billet, but I want to get everything set up first, then I will do a little at a time.
I have been using the black, then brown/red then white, does that sound right?

[dmontzsta]

It really does come along way with the polishing wheel.
http://dmontzsta.werd.com/MiscStuff/Projects/100_3162.jpg

[Krumbsnatcher]

In order to get that smooth surface you have to belt it first then cut it then use the jewelry rouge we use the green bar for all of our aluminum.

[dmontzsta]

In order to get that smooth surface you have to belt it first then cut it then use the jewelry rouge we use the green bar for all of our aluminum.
Do you mean belt sand it? with what grit?

[BrendellaJet]

I sand anything I polish. I bought scrap aluminum for a few parts, wetsanded scrapes out-was in pretty bad condition, started with 80 grit, worked my way up to 800(sounds like work, wasn't that bad) and then buffed with the green compound on a disc grinder turned polisher. Works real well. Its messy. Ive decided to hand it all over to a pro once I get it "good" so they can finish it off. Was very time consuming for me...Can be done though.

[lucky]

It really does come along way with the polishing wheel.
http://dmontzsta.werd.com/MiscStuff/Projects/100_3162.jpg
MAN-- THAT SHINE IS INCREADABLE -- WHAT EVER DO YOU USE ON YOUR HEAD ? :coffeycup :D

[dmontzsta]

Its a secret and if I told you, I would have to kill you and that monkey.

[CrazyHippy]

Nice latex gloves... :D
These guys are right, you can get cast to look bitchen from 5' but it will always have little pits in it up close.
BJH

[Dave C]

You have to sand it first to get it super-smooth before you buff it. First use rough grit 250-500 to get the deep gouges out, then fine grit, 1500-2000 wet sand, until it all turns grey (you will know when you see it). Then polish the f-ck out of it.
It will come out shiney and smooth like a mofo.
the key is the 1500-2000 grit sand paper and getting a good/even cut with those.
BTW I used to do this all the time before I got a full time job. :D :p
PM if you want.

[dmontzsta]

Nice latex gloves... :D
These guys are right, you can get cast to look bitchen from 5' but it will always have little pits in it up close.
BJH
Thanks, the owner of my company invested in a ton of them and thought he would sell them to the .99 stores and doctors offices, but he didnt, so I came up on a shit load of them, I use them whenever working on cars/boats, keeps the hands nice and clean, but they smell like rubber.
I have just been using the black rouge to take the stuff down and it has been working well, I have been going over each pitted aread individually until all the pits are out, then a fine white rouge and some alluminum polish, seems to work alright, I guess it will never have the billet shine.

[v-drive]

Don, I found a place in Santa Ana called CTI abrassives.
I use a yellow wheel with brown or green compound sticks. castings are
a bitch anyway you do it. The yellow wheel is more aggressive and it takes a little getting used to but normally works really well. I did all of mine and it had been partially submerged so it was in very sad shape. I don't sand anything unless I have to take machine marks out....v-drive

[396_WAYS_TO_SPIT]

Its a secret and if I told you, I would have to kill you and that monkey.
Not the monkey :D :D He looks innocent :D
396

[Dave C]

wet sand that bad boy with 1500 wet paper before buffing.... it will shine like a 22' spinner in Compton... ;) ;)
Also use the correct rouge (sp?) I think I was using the brownish/red colored one with a die grinder wheel. Spun like a mofo.
I guess it will never have the billet shine.

[bottom feeder]

Dmontzsta,
If you see scratches that is what they are. To remove them you have to "cut them out" you can polish them out or sand them out. As others have said sand then polish. Start by sanding it will give you a much nicer part when you are finnished. Once you have reached a certian luster with cast aluminum it will get no better. If the scratches you are talking about are vary small (not able to feel with you finger nail) look to both ends of the scratch and see if it starts at a pocket in the material. If it does thats about as good as it gets, as you are drawing dirt and debris out of the void and onto the wheel. Keep the wheel clean! best of luck to you.