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#1
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Polishing SS
Starting polishing my SS and got it to a point where it looks nice but isn't mirror like. Any of you guys know what it takes to finish them off? I have done everything up to this point by hand...do I need to invest in a buffer?
Figured I would try taking it to a metal shop but got a huge surprise when they quoted me 900+ for finishing my front and back glass trim and my aluminum vinyl top trim...and that just polishing, not anodizing.
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Resto almost done - 1966 GTO HDTP Tiger Gold (paint code 1-2), black vinyl top and interior, 389 tripower, 068 cam, TH-350/Hughes TC, RA manifolds, 2.5" Pypes exhaust, Scarebird Front Disc, Ralley II's, factory PS, PB, PW, PA, A/C, headrest option. |
#2
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I suppose it's possible to do it by hand, but using a buffer wheel will save orders of magnitude of time.
If the damage is severe, doing the initial smoothing by hand is efficient. I used wet sand paper of grits from 600 up to 1500. From there, you can switch to the buffer wheels. You use "rouge" with the cotton wheels. You can buy the "rouge" from the big box stores, or even Harbor Freight. I found the harbor freight rouges to be the best believe it or not. You jam the sticks of rouge into the spinning cotton wheels to load them up. I only used two levels of rouge, the black, which is "fine" I guess, and then the green rouge, which is super fine; the final step. Use a hard "sissel" wheel with the black stuff. I believe it means it's only sewed up for a "tight" wheel. YOu don't necessarily need a real buffer. I used an ancient bench grinder and it survived the acres of stainless I did on my 67. More power for the grinder is nice, but it can be done on a 1/2 hp grinder. Use the green rouge with a loose cotton wheel. The loose cotton wheels are slightly dangerous; they like to grab parts. Be careful. Don't mix the rouges on the wheels. Keep them separate. HANG ON TO THE TRIM. It's not pretty if you lose grip. I almost lost some fingers while polishing the headlight hold down rings. So, have fun. It's amazing how good the trim can look. PS, not sure how to do aluminum. No aluminum on convertibles. GOOD LUCK!
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Dave http://www.squidsfabshop.com/? (updated January, 2013, Pypes exhaust installation) |
#3
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Also wear gloves when polishing!
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The Following User Says Thank You to arbys For This Useful Post: | ||
#4
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#5
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Buying a cheap buffer, the wheels, and the rouge (I bought green and white) was the best investment I made during my resto. The cost was minimal, the job was easy, and the results are great.
some advice, Don't push too hard, just let the buffer do the work, watch what you are doing on curved pieces, as you don't want them to get caught on the spinning buffer, and ALWAYS WEAR GLOVES (as arby said) |
#6
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Dumb question but a bench grinder will accept a cotton wheel?
I've really had this on my mind. You can find a used bench grinder cheap just about anywhere. |
#7
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AND MAKE SURE YOU HANG ON TO THE PIECES... they can be very dangerous missiles.
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Gary Get in, ShuT Up, Hang On! Member of the Baltimore Built Brotherhood MY GTO built 4th Week of March 1966 "Crusin' Is Not A Crime" Keep yer stick on the ice. |
#8
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How do you think that they got the term Ziinnngggg!
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The Following User Says Thank You to arbys For This Useful Post: | ||
#9
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Exactly. LOL And will make nasty holes in whatever the piece hits. Flesh is the worst!
__________________
Gary Get in, ShuT Up, Hang On! Member of the Baltimore Built Brotherhood MY GTO built 4th Week of March 1966 "Crusin' Is Not A Crime" Keep yer stick on the ice. |
#10
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Thanks for the advice...will go out and look into getting a buffing motor...got to be cheaper than the 900.00 I was quoted at the shop.
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Resto almost done - 1966 GTO HDTP Tiger Gold (paint code 1-2), black vinyl top and interior, 389 tripower, 068 cam, TH-350/Hughes TC, RA manifolds, 2.5" Pypes exhaust, Scarebird Front Disc, Ralley II's, factory PS, PB, PW, PA, A/C, headrest option. |
#11
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Not this
Here is what not to do
Friend was helping me out with buffing, he lost a bunch of blood on this trick
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67 GTO HT 1968 400 Engine YE TH-400 #13 Heads -J069 Q'Jet . 8.2 Eaton Posi/3:55 __________________ |
#12
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I almost lost a front tooth and had a fat lip once from buffing a part off my Harley. Flying metal sure as hell wakes you up real quick.
__________________
Gary Get in, ShuT Up, Hang On! Member of the Baltimore Built Brotherhood MY GTO built 4th Week of March 1966 "Crusin' Is Not A Crime" Keep yer stick on the ice. |
#13
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Anyone ever bought a buffer from Harbor Freight? I have been using a bench grinder that I put a cotton wheel on one side. I keep getting a black residue which sticks to the piece I polish and then I have to scrape it off. I'm thinking the grinder might be the wrong tool. Harbor Freight has a buffer that it sells which is quite reasonable in price. Any ideas of which buffers to buy?
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1966 GTO Vert automatic. 1969 CR Judge Ram Air III 4sp Pattern Car. 1969 GTO standard 350HP TH-400. 2006 GTO Phantom Black 6spd. 1972 Formula 455HO Ram Air. 1976 LE Trans Am 50th Anniversary Edition with T top. 1976 Formula 350. 1977 Grand Prix Model J 350. 1978 Trans am 400 Pontiac. 1979 Trans am 403 Olds. 1968 Olds 442. 1971 TR6. |
#14
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It's better if it wakes you up instead of putting you to sleep!
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The Following User Says Thank You to arbys For This Useful Post: | ||
#15
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Quote:
Are you talking about this item?? It comes as an 8" as well. Good reviews on this one. http://www.harborfreight.com/6-inch-buffer-94393.html |
#16
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Those cheap HF buffers are fine. I made 1 side the green polish, and the other the white. If you are stopping the wheel from turning while buffing, then you are pushing too hard. Let the wheel and the rouge do the work, and several passes are better than 1 slow pass with a lot of pressure. (less heat buildup and less chance for injury)
I wear a face sheild and a dust mask as well as gloves. |
#17
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Quote:
__________________
1966 GTO Vert automatic. 1969 CR Judge Ram Air III 4sp Pattern Car. 1969 GTO standard 350HP TH-400. 2006 GTO Phantom Black 6spd. 1972 Formula 455HO Ram Air. 1976 LE Trans Am 50th Anniversary Edition with T top. 1976 Formula 350. 1977 Grand Prix Model J 350. 1978 Trans am 400 Pontiac. 1979 Trans am 403 Olds. 1968 Olds 442. 1971 TR6. |
#18
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Quote:
Thanks.
__________________
1966 GTO Vert automatic. 1969 CR Judge Ram Air III 4sp Pattern Car. 1969 GTO standard 350HP TH-400. 2006 GTO Phantom Black 6spd. 1972 Formula 455HO Ram Air. 1976 LE Trans Am 50th Anniversary Edition with T top. 1976 Formula 350. 1977 Grand Prix Model J 350. 1978 Trans am 400 Pontiac. 1979 Trans am 403 Olds. 1968 Olds 442. 1971 TR6. |
#19
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Charles, from what I've done... and it's not a lot... with a buffing wheel, pressing too hard is basically the problem with getting that black crud. Not using enough rouge, or even using the wrong wheel too will cause it. From what I went thru it was another learning experience altogether.
__________________
Gary Get in, ShuT Up, Hang On! Member of the Baltimore Built Brotherhood MY GTO built 4th Week of March 1966 "Crusin' Is Not A Crime" Keep yer stick on the ice. |
#20
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That black stuff is normal.
If you are pressing hard, you're doing it wrong. Let the wheel and the compound do it's work. Press hard and watch it fly away! Do it in stages. See below. |
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