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polishing methods... which way?

  • Thread starter Thread starter midnightcafe
  • Start date Start date
Maybe this old guy can tell you.

Karate%20Kid.jpg
 
rudy said:
So, if they're a bad choice, why do they seem to work for so many other people? Yes, I've found that the white wheels do take a bit to get worked in to the point where they'll actually do something. They shed a LOT at first, as do all wheels. Just get used to it and work through it. It smooths out real nice after about 5-10 minutes and it will actually start to make a nice job. I pick my wheels up for $5 - $10 each. Surely can't be worth it to drive back to sears for that, can it?

Oh, as well, 4" is too small. They're so useless it's no wonder you got fed up with it. Get at LEAST a 6". My yellow and white ones are 8" and work well enough on my little 1/2HP $30 grinder. The Sisal is a 12" and eats corrosion and deep scratches for breakfast!
Click to expand...

My bad Rudy, you're right about the size of the wheel. I'm sure a larger diameter would work well because I fitted the 4" muslin on my washing machine motor setup and it worked-sorta, it deformed too much at the low speed unlike the 6" on the grinder. off the Sears!
 
I wet sanded all my parts, then polished with Mothers with a cheap polish pad in my hand drill. I used a dremel for the tight spots. Everything turned out great, IMO.

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100_1383.jpg



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I just picked this up from a friend for 20 bucks. 1/2 HP Baldor motor. Can't wait to play around with it!

100_4647.jpg
 
Steve said:
Where do you get your 8" wheels? I can only find 6" wheels at Lowe's and Home Depot. Have not looked at Ace Hardware or Sears yet.
Click to expand...

I get all my buffing stuff from Princess Auto. Basically like the Canuck version of Harbor Freight. They have quite a selection here. Wheels and bobs, all the different compounds. All sorts of stuff.
 
renobruce said:
I wet sanded all my parts, then polished with Mothers with a cheap polish pad in my hand drill. I used a dremel for the tight spots. Everything turned out great, IMO.

100_1297.jpg



100_1383.jpg



100_1656.jpg



100_4231.jpg
Click to expand...
Woah...wait a sec...you mean that swinger is hand polished?? it looks like chrome..
 
jwhelan65 said:
Woah...wait a sec...you mean that swinger is hand polished?? it looks like chrome..
Click to expand...

Yep, polished aluminum. It was a biatch. I actually started that piece with a d/a sander to get the casting marks and corrosion off. Then it was wet sanded by hand starting with 400 and working up to 2000. Then polished.
 
rudy said:
So, if they're a bad choice, why do they seem to work for so many other people? Yes, I've found that the white wheels do take a bit to get worked in to the point where they'll actually do something. They shed a LOT at first, as do all wheels. Just get used to it and work through it. It smooths out real nice after about 5-10 minutes and it will actually start to make a nice job. I pick my wheels up for $5 - $10 each. Surely can't be worth it to drive back to sears for that, can it?

Oh, as well, 4" is too small. They're so useless it's no wonder you got fed up with it. Get at LEAST a 6". My yellow and white ones are 8" and work well enough on my little 1/2HP $30 grinder. The Sisal is a 12" and eats corrosion and deep scratches for breakfast!
Click to expand...

renobruce said:
Yep, polished aluminum. It was a biatch. I actually started that piece with a d/a sander to get the casting marks and corrosion off. Then it was wet sanded by hand starting with 400 and working up to 2000. Then polished.
Click to expand...

Reno, what compounds did you use after the 2000? I'm wondering around what grit emery cake substitutes for...
 
renobruce said:
I just picked this up from a friend for 20 bucks. 1/2 HP Baldor motor. Can't wait to play around with it!

100_4647.jpg
Click to expand...


Bruce,

Once you start using that buffer you are going to be amazed how easy it is compared to hand sanding. It was for me anyway. Key to getting out the corrosion pitting is to use an aggressive grit compound; I used Harbor Freight Gray Cutting compound. The finish turned out just fine with the gray alone, at least good enough for me. A brighter finish can be achieved by following up with a finishing compound but unless you plan on shaving in the reflection, more shine is irrelevant.
 
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Nessism said:
Bruce,

Once you start using that buffer you are going to be amazed by easy it is compared to hand sanding. It was for me anyway.
Click to expand...

I'm looking forward to using it. Got to be better and faster than my poor man's method.

Nessism said:
A brighter finish can be achieved by following up with a finishing compound but unless you plan on shaving in the reflection, more shine is irrelevant.
Click to expand...

100_2817.jpg


:D
 
FreuderLocks said:
blue neon? its not a honda civic dude.
Ive never seen neons on a bike before now, and i have to say that i would like to never see them again.
One simple question, why? I would understand if you were some 19 year old kid with a riced out import, but why on that bike?
Click to expand...
First of all, they are not neons. They are LEDs. Big difference.

One simple answer, "why not?". No, we are not 19-year-old kids with riced out imports. We are 50-somethings that hang out in GoldWing circles, where she has one of the least-lit bikes around.

Sorry the lights don't meet your approval, but, quite frankly, I didn't have you in mind when I put them on her bike.

And now, for your viewing pleasure, are some lit-up AMERICAN bikes.
78%20LED%20Ultimate%20Kit%20-%20512.jpg


neon_1.jpg


lightsuits.jpg

hey, it's made in oHIo, that's as American as you can get.

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.
 
Just make sure that in Maine you don't run any blue or red lights. That would get you a ticket! (just for future reference)
 
renobruce said:
I just picked this up from a friend for 20 bucks. 1/2 HP Baldor motor. Can't wait to play around with it!

100_4647.jpg
Click to expand...


Bruce, that's quite a score! I've been eying these motors up in the Baldor catalog. We're a dealer for Baldor at work. One would run me about $300. :eek: A little too rich for my wallet. Would be a different story if I was using it to make a living though. I know you'll start to polish everything you'll be able to get your hands on. It's as addictive as these old bikes. Sometimes you just start to look for a bike with more aluminum bits. I've actually considered polishing all my spare and "junk" parts, you know, just for fun. Maybe hang them on the wall for a little man-room bling. :cool:
 
steve, those LEDs are sweet, great location to reflect of your polish bits!

as for me, I'm gonna buy a new grinder- mine's terrible, didn't realize what it was supposed to run like until i saw some youtube videos, and it's pretty easy for me to slow/stop it unlike a normal one. btw here's a decent video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhzGE5dLcmM&feature=related
 
mighty13d said:
Just make sure that in Maine you don't run any blue or red lights. That would get you a ticket! (just for future reference)
Click to expand...
I would imagine that red lights are OK as long as they are at the back of the bike and facing rearward. :-k
But, that's why there is a handy switch to turn them off if necessary.
She only has one switch for lights on her bike, I have SIX on mine. :dancing:
(Not all of them are connected. Yet. :D)

.
 
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