Polishing manifolds and such

[rodder]

you don't need to polish aluminum that often you guys are crazy. I polish twice a year. Once you get it shiny it'll stay that way for a while. To keep it shined up to a mirror finish almost like chrome takes some elbow grease once in a while but it's not nearly as bad as you guys are making it out to be, especially with tools like the powerball (or a real polishing set) and a cordless drill.

Of course getting straight cast aluminum polished up that nice is gonna be a huge pain in the ass. I've only done small parts and even the small ones take hours and hours to get really nice. When the part has little crevices and ridges sometimes it's impossible to polish the part completely without the right ($$$$$$) tools.

[motorvated]

I have a dremel and a mothers power ball...OO and almost a year to do it So I can take my time until its perfecto

[rodder]

then do it.

[motorvated]

YA....im reading up on it now. This is a go. I get the motor monday, and i'll probably start polishing stuff tuesday. Hell, I may start monday. Im trying to see if there is anything to do to remove all the crud on them. Like a bleach bath or something. Maybe simple green

[TROLL]

If you're meticulous and you've got time to spare then yeah, go for it. You'll need sandpaper from 80 up to 1000 grit... some guys go up to 2000 grit even. Then they get out a buffing wheel and go through 2 or 3 stages of polish as well. The more power tools you can use the better but a good amt. will just have to be done by hand, no way around it.

[rodder]

take em to the car wash booth and degrease them with the powerwasher and a couple of good fine wire brushes... and if no one's around you can bring your own special "soap" from home if you want. That's what I did the last time I had my trans apart to clean out the case.

[motorvated]

Well I should list all the tools I have for this..
Power washer
Simple Green/Purple Power.
Sand paper from 80-1200
Dremel with brass wheels
Drill with mothers power ball
Buffer with two differant pads.

I need metal polish...i might actually have that too.

[motorvated]

BTW..for the sanding process, do you guys recommend dry or wet sanding?

[TROLL]

go to caswell's site and read their guide on polishing... as far as the basics and little tips and tricks go, its the best to get started on.

[motorvated]

thanks. cant wait to start!! I'll post progress pictures if you guys want?

[SvicksTc]

pics or ban hahaha, def post up some pics

[motorvated]

will do..be4,during and afters

[Eclipse GSX 61]

Polishing is one a bitch to do, and two a bitch to keep shiny over time. My valve cover has gone to crap so I just decided I'm going to get it powdercoated someday.

Polishing Guide