How to clean up the aluminum cases

[Buffalo Bill]

Seems like the gospel is: GS cases MUST BE POLISHED!!!
Why not, brush them, or paint them?

[GSCafe]

Seems like the gospel is: GS cases MUST BE POLISHED!!!
Why not, brush them, or paint them?

I'm a horrible painter, so I think that leaves me with brushed, or maybe powder-coat. I toyed with the idea of polishing the drum brake cover to match my shiny (well they are shiny under the dirt) wire wheels. Anyway, I think you're on to something. I'm going to look into painting my cases oil color so it hides all the leaks.

[storm 64]

And if you go the polishing route. Use "Wizards, Power Seal" it's a metal sealer. It keeps the aluminum shiny longer. Chuck Hahn turned me on to the stuff. So far it's working good for me. 👍

[Steve]

Some day I will have to try the sisal wheel and black polish.

So far, I am happy with my stitched cotton wheel and white polish.









I have tried various grits of paper, but so far, I have the best results with stripper to remove the clear coat, then one of those Scotch-Brite looking wheels from Harbor Freight.

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[80GS850GBob]

Depending on what grit you get it will change the finish though glass bead from my experience isn't really well suited for creating a finished product at least on aluminum. It does though leave a perfect finish for painting and takes to polishing very well. I think this is what i will be doing. cleaning it up with the glass bead then hitting it with the sisal wheel and black compound. i will then use finer compounds to suit the finish i am looking for. i originally said i was looking for a brushed finish but after seeing Runeight's pictures im not so sure . here is the finish that glass bead leaves on aluminum. at least the grit i am using anyway. ill run out into the garage and look here in a sec but i believe it is 80 grit. I'll correct this if i am wrong. keep in mind i partially blasted this piece almost 2 years ago so there are some nicks and scratches though this kinda illustrates how fragile the finish is.

Wow, a lot duller than I expected...thanks for the pic! ....Btw, what pressure where you using...the only sand blasting I ever did was black beauty @ 80psi to remove rust, so my experience is limited.

[80GS850GBob]

"Sisal" wheel...that's the rope filled one, right?

[shibby_cbs]

"Sisal" wheel...that's the rope filled one, right?

It can be yes. I'ts more specifically a type of fiber. The most important part of this though is the black compound. it is very abrasive as compared to other compounds such white green and brown. So long as you have a stiffer type wheel you should get similar results though it may take longer. People do seem to prefer the sisal wheels.

[nejeff]

It's 6 of one, 1/2 dozen of the other when it comes to stitched cotton vs sisal. Obviously both Ed and Steve have achieved great results with their own methods. It may benefit the OP to contact Steve and ask his prices for polishing. He quoted me some caps & bowls a while back and the price, well lets just say you can't afford to do it yourself for how little Steve charges. The project did not warrant me doing it this time but I will use Steve in the future. Oh, and hello Steve, looks like your back!

[Steve]

Wow, a lot duller than I expected...thanks for the pic! ....Btw, what pressure where you using...the only sand blasting I ever did was black beauty @ 80psi to remove rust, so my experience is limited.

I have tried glass bead, aluminum oxide and walnut shells, all at about 90psi. The walnut shells didn't do anything except waste some time (OK, a LOT of time), the other two looked pretty much like shibby's picture.

Oh, and hello Steve, looks like your back!

Yep, I'm back.

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[Nessism]

It's 6 of one, 1/2 dozen of the other when it comes to stitched cotton vs sisal. Obviously both Ed and Steve have achieved great results with their own methods. It may benefit the OP to contact Steve and ask his prices for polishing. He quoted me some caps & bowls a while back and the price, well lets just say you can't afford to do it yourself for how little Steve charges. The project did not warrant me doing it this time but I will use Steve in the future. Oh, and hello Steve, looks like your back!

So again, which wheel depends on how much scratching and/or corrosion you need to remove. The Sisal wheel is stiffer and will remove the imperfections and sandpaper scratches easier. It doesn't buff the surface to as bright a sheen though.

[80GS850GBob]

I have tried glass bead, aluminum oxide and walnut shells, all at about 90psi. The walnut shells didn't do anything except waste some time (OK, a LOT of time), the other two looked pretty much like shibby's picture.



Yep, I'm back.

.

I tried to used walnut shells eons ago to clean up an engine{car} for painting....ugh...took forever. Swapped out for the good stuff....much better results!

[80GS850GBob]

So again, which wheel depends on how much scratching and/or corrosion you need to remove. The Sisal wheel is stiffer and will remove the imperfections and sandpaper scratches easier. It doesn't buff the surface to as bright a sheen though.

I've got harbor freights loose and sewn wheels, with green rouge, for a brass clean up project at work....nice results. They had a rope centered wheel....just never got it. I don't remember them having black rouge...will have to search around for that....probably eastwood....

[Nessism]

I've got harbor freights loose and sewn wheels, with green rouge, for a brass clean up project at work....nice results. They had a rope centered wheel....just never got it. I don't remember them having black rouge...will have to search around for that....probably eastwood....

Sears sells the black cutting compound. I didn't see a sisal wheel there though.

[loud et]

That starter cover doesn't count Steve!

[William Groebe]

This thread is timed perfect for me. I've got my engine in pieces and was researching what to do to clean it up before putting everything back together. wahoo!