polishing and grooves.

[shaun]

I'm attempting to polish my gas tanks, they are aluminum gas tanks and they are really ruff. The issue I'm running into right now is that these gas tanks have a ton a little grooves/scratches. I'm not sure why they are like this, maybe from manufacturing. I'm using a sisal buffing wheel and the brown bar and it's working, it's removing them slowly but at this rate it's going to take me forever to get all those to go away at this rate. I'm wondering if there was something i could do to speed this process up a bit. I was thinking maybe a real fine piece of sand paper but wasn't sure. Here's a poor pic of the gas tanks, i also included a link that includes the huge version that will give you a bit better detail of the tanks.
http://reitanfamily.com/gallery/d/6365-2/IM000978.jpg
Giant Pic http://reitanfamily.com/gallery/d/6363-3/IM000978.jpg

[Rexone]

Pro polishers use different grades of belts in progression along with various compounds to remove material grain and scratches before they go to buff wheels. This is why it's taking you so long. It takes forever to get those out with wheels, plus it's hard to get a smooth finish when you have to push on the wheels so hard (wavey). I know that probably doesn't help but it is the reason. You might consider taking them to a polishing shop depending on how much your time is worth.

[wet77]

Just a idea, after you get them looking great clear coat them.
I did it to mine and they always look great and it only takes 10 seconds to wipe them off with a wet rag :cool:

[BrendellaJet]

If you are set on doing it yourself get out some sandpaper. That will help get the scratches out a lot faster. I did a lot of things that way. Its a messy job. From now on anything big like that goes to the pro's.

[502 JET]

On large parts like those tanks you can use a DA sander finish with 320-400 grit. After that wet sand them with 600 grit. This will cut down on a lot of the buffing work.

[Taylorman]

Do yourself a favor and powdercoat them. I did mine and its so maintenance free. I just wipe them down like everything else on my boat with 409 to get the water spots off.

[eek-a-RAT]

spun aluminum tanks! lots of work, show us the results when done, which ever way you go. good luck on that.

[FASTRAT]

AMEN!!....Powder coat 'em...less hassles & more time for other things!
fastrat

[TJS]

Yup spun alum. I brought my tanks to a pro polisher and he would not touch them cause he said they need to sand them down too much and will make them too thin for him. So check the thickness before you do this. Just a thought. I just washed them real good and scotche brighted them.
T.J.

[shaun]

I thought about powder coating them but i want the polished look and i cant even think what color i would do them. I thought about jet coating them but i cant seam to find anybody who can do it around here and i'm wondering if the price would even be worth it.

[FryJet]

Just go to your local powder coater, they have just about any color you could ever want..........even one that looks really close to polished aluminum.
F.J.

[502 JET]

If your going to spend money on powder coating why not go stainless (http://www.imcomarine.com/pages/tanks.html) .

[502 JET]

If your going to spend money on powder coating why not go stainless (http://www.imcomarine.com/pages/tanks.html) .

[Squirtcha?]

If your going to spend money on powder coating why not go stainless (http://www.imcomarine.com/pages/tanks.html) .
I'd have to agree 100%. Polishing aluminum sucks big time and requires constant upkeep and repolishing. With the stainless, you just wipe em off with 409, Simple Green or similar. Always shiny and best of all..............no polishing!
I bought my tanks used. Manufacture date stamp is 1978. They're holding up great.
http://jetboat.homestead.com/back_on.jpg

[396_WAYS_TO_SPIT]

I would NOT polish them! They are very thin and you might run into problems. Do like everyone else and powdercoat them. They will look bitchin' I have a pic of a blue set but cant find it. If I do, I will post it.....