Polishing metal - aluminium, brass copper etc

[Ada7]

Have done a few pieces in the past as i too bought a abrasive and poilshing kit from the polishing shop. Takes lots or elbow grease and time and is really messy but very satisfying when you results come up looking great
Might have another go when i\'ve got more time over the winter. The usual bits, plenum (again), alternator, pipes etc

Adam

[chr007]

Ordered the polishing kit today.  Will be trying it on the FMIC and piping to start with when its here.  Will let u guys know how it goes once i give it a go.  Thanks again for all the replies.

[Kruizer]

Will you do before and after pic\'s too please ?

[m1tch]

Remember that wet and dry can be used wet to cut down the dust

[Nik da Greek]

And I\'d recommend not using any coarser grade paper than 120 at the absolute roughest, or you\'ll spend a load of time trying to polish out the scratches you\'ve put in with the paper! :yes

[Jit]

for the amount of work it is to polish something up good, why not just pay some one lol ...seriously its not normally as bad as you think!

[Nik da Greek]

You touting there, dude? I have to say, your polishing does leave most others in the shade, as \'twere, very good stuff. Not as good as mine, clearly (*modest cough*), but not half bad :Giggle

[Jit]

lol...touting? me? lol...nah. Its just a lot easier to pay someone else...i know cos i tried once and got bored after half an hour....low concentration span me. Messy lark too..Your stuff does look mighty good i must say tho Nik.

[pearl_rex]

i was thinking of doing abit of this myself!! but it seems like alot of hard work and as i dont have a garage...i dont think the other half would be too happy with me sanding down metal in the front room while shes watching hollyoaks!!...does anyone know where i can just take the parts and pay to have someone do it for me?

[shaunwil]

Best bet is to //www.yell.com metal polishers in your area.

Shaun

[L18M]

after reading this thread n trying some diy paint job.. i brought a multi pack paper from halfords 400, 600, 800, 1200 grade.
 
i was just ment to sand down the primer for my vent light cover but ended up gettin a snading mood n did the end of my kaki exhaust working from 800 to 1200.
 
looks near as new now. tho think for a really show polish should use 1500 then polish.
 
also polished the rush off my wipers n sprayed them black again =)

[jinx]

Look for a local \'metal finishing\' company in your yellow pages and then go talk to them. I\'ve taken damaged parts (over-riders) to get dents dressed out before rechroming and got them back looking like they had been plated already.

Be a bit wary and persevere till you find a specialist metal finishing outfit. A lot of general engineering companies offer polishing as a service but sometimes don\'t do a very thorough job - skimping on the difficult areas. Had some alloy cam covers done a few years ago and they came back with bits of the original powder coating still intact in the tricky corners.