Got any shortcuts?

[pnkrckr0915]

hey guys,

I'm currently in the process of polishing up my aluminum exhaust canister.

any of you guys got shortcuts so this wont take so long i've already got like 4 hours into this thing. lol

any pointers would be appreciated, and maybe you guys have the low down on what polish works best.

Thanks again.

[Kreylyn]

Was it polished to start with, or a satin finish?

Quickest way to get a mirror finish.

Start with sandpaper that is slightly finer than the current finish.

Sand all over well until it's uniform in texture. Increase the grit of the sandpaper, do it again. Depending on where you start, general idea of the grits to use...

400-600-800-1000-1500-2000...

Then switch to a polish and buffing wheel.

Krey

[Rowdy]

i just did my vance and hines ss2r can with mothers mag and aluminum polish in a little over an hour.. wipe on in circular motion and buff off with soft cloth. no hard scrubbing or nothing. just rub until it turns black and wipe off.
awesome stuff

[sav]

+1 on the mothers polish! Good stuff, also try never dull... gets all the pits and rust marks,etc. right out.

[scottynoface]

gets all the pits right out.

Really? Might have to give that a shot on my wheels.

[Rowdy]

Really? Might have to give that a shot on my wheels.

yea my buddy used the neverdull on his aluminum radiator and his front mount and they came out awesome... looked brand new
as for just a polish i'm still going with the mothers stuff..

[scottynoface]

My wheels are pitted to hell and back.

If it saves me hours upon hours of sanding then heyo...

[Slofuze]

I used to buy something called Autosol when I had a bike with aluminum wheels and case covers.....the stuff worked worders, but I'm not sure they make it anymore.

[Rowdy]

My wheels are pitted to hell and back.

If it saves me hours upon hours of sanding then heyo...

thats exactly what my can looked like and now it is mirror with just the mothers.

my rims look identical and i am planning on trying the mothers on them will let you know the outcome, i think i have the neverdull too if i do i will try it and let ya know the outcome.

[BrianT]

+1 for Mothers and the Mothers polishing ball. They have a couple of new versions of the polishing ball with small ends for getting in those crevices. Lots less elbow grease needed.

[wyzat520]

Ive got a great mini polisher I use a lot. Its basically an air drill with a foam pad on the end. That mothers stuff is nice. Meguires has some aluminum polish to i think. I had neither when I polished a frame up, so i used a regular buffing compound for paint and it worked just as well