Polishing SS

Rudisill · 02-10-2007, 12:08 AM

I've got a minimag body I want to polish and make shiny. Right now it's got the stock gray powder coat. I bought "hard metal" polish at home depot and tried it out. All it really did was make the gray shinier, it didn't bring out the natural SS color. Do I need to strip off the powder coat first?

keep in mind that I wasn't polishing it for all that long. I would have felt silly standing there in the cold for 30 minutes only to find I was doing it wrong.

Z50 · 02-10-2007, 12:40 AM

The gray is the sand blasted finish, there is no powder coat. If you want shiny you will have to remove metal and its going to need more then polish to remove enough. Start with a wire wheel on a drill or bench grinder, then start working your way towards smooth with paper/wool. When you have all the scratches out you can start working towards a mirror with your polish.

Rudisill · 02-10-2007, 12:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Z50

The gray is the sand blasted finish, there is no powder coat. If you want shiny you will have to remove metal and its going to need more then polish to remove enough. Start with a wire wheel on a drill or bench grinder, then start working your way towards smooth with paper/wool. When you have all the scratches out you can start working towards a mirror with your polish.

Alright, cool. I've got a wire wheel on a bench grinder, so it should be easy.

Robertsr · 02-11-2007, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rudisill

Alright, cool. I've got a wire wheel on a bench grinder, so it should be easy.

Actually it should take days.

Rudisill · 02-11-2007, 12:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robertsr

Actually it should take days.

I found that out today. I spent about all morning, and it's still just a dark grey. But I shall persevere!

RabidFuzzle · 02-11-2007, 01:58 AM

Check this link out. Hope it helps. "Polishing Automag Bodies" By Doc Nickel

Fuzz

fossilhead · 02-11-2007, 01:59 AM

I did one by hand once.
Took about a week.

AngelChaser · 02-12-2007, 01:11 AM

I have access to a drag finisher and a VibroDyne. If you know of a local machine or polishing shop ask if they use a VibroDyne, if so that is a fast way to polish a 'Mag body. It takes a small amount of hand rubbing afterwards, but it cuts the time by quite a bit.

Cunha · 02-14-2007, 02:27 AM

Stock grey mag finish is the bomb :P

I guess there is a reason that the polished bodies costed extra.

Rudisill · 02-14-2007, 05:25 PM

I've got it looking pretty good right now. It's just a shade lighter then the valve, and I haven't even got around to polishing it yet.

02-10-2007, 12:08 AM	#1 (permalink)
Rudisill Active Member Join Date: Oct 2006	Polishing SS I've got a minimag body I want to polish and make shiny. Right now it's got the stock gray powder coat. I bought "hard metal" polish at home depot and tried it out. All it really did was make the gray shinier, it didn't bring out the natural SS color. Do I need to strip off the powder coat first? keep in mind that I wasn't polishing it for all that long. I would have felt silly standing there in the cold for 30 minutes only to find I was doing it wrong.

02-12-2007, 01:11 AM	#8 (permalink)
AngelChaser Active Member Join Date: Feb 2007	I cheat. I have access to a drag finisher and a VibroDyne. If you know of a local machine or polishing shop ask if they use a VibroDyne, if so that is a fast way to polish a 'Mag body. It takes a small amount of hand rubbing afterwards, but it cuts the time by quite a bit.

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02-11-2007, 01:58 AM	#6 (permalink)
RabidFuzzle Seasoned Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Fremont, California	Check this link out. Hope it helps. "Polishing Automag Bodies" By Doc Nickel Fuzz

02-11-2007, 01:59 AM	#7 (permalink)
fossilhead Seasoned Member Join Date: Aug 2006	I did one by hand once. Took about a week.

02-14-2007, 02:27 AM	#9 (permalink)
Cunha MCB Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Monterey, CA	Stock grey mag finish is the bomb :P I guess there is a reason that the polished bodies costed extra.

02-14-2007, 05:25 PM	#10 (permalink)
Rudisill Active Member Join Date: Oct 2006	I've got it looking pretty good right now. It's just a shade lighter then the valve, and I haven't even got around to polishing it yet.