Polishing kit opinions needed

[Alex Hayley]

I need to smooth and polish a few cast aluminum brackets. Has anyone used one of these kits and could provide an opinion.

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...4255_200334255

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...4263_200334263

[lowriden58]

you can get a decent polishing kit from Sears for 9.99. comes with 3 compounds and a few polish wheels. it works with your electric drill

[Alex Hayley]

Thanks for the quick reply. One requirement for the kit is that there are polishing pads/wheels that allow access to tight corners that would be found on brackets.

I will check on sears.com.

[lowriden58]

Originally Posted by Alex Hayley

Thanks for the quick reply. One requirement for the kit is that there are polishing pads/wheels that allow access to tight corners that would be found on brackets.

I will check on sears.com.

I just checked online i didnt see the kit i mentioned. i usually get it at a local Sears. there are different size wheels that come with the kit, and can get in most places. but may not get in very tight corners

[ChevLoRay]

Eastwood has a kit that they sell for about $120. It is air-powered and includes the air tool, pads/cones,etc., and compounds. Sherwin-Williams Automotive paint stores sell the same tool for slightly less than $100.

[cdowns]

go to autofair at lowes speedway plenty of vendors for all your polishing needs and the more you buy the better deal they give you

[piecesparts]

You can find a fair set of polishing pads and equipment at Harbor freight, but if you want serious stuff start with Eastwoods and then expand out into the Web. I use a lot of 3" and 4" razor buff pads on a die grinder. They ease up the work tremendously on larger flat surfaces. The taper buffs are good for tight corners. Look at the method of polishing, also. Use the dark for cutting the finish (after sanding to a semi smooth finish I usually take mine from a 600 grit down to a 2500 grit before transitioning over to the polishing compunds. The next is to use the green comound to lay out the finish and finalize the color of the metal with the white polish. Never use heavy pressure on the pad, just let it do thework for you.

Practice by trying to polish your fingernails--that is what kind of pressure you want to use.

[Alex Hayley]

piecesparts, that is a great description. Thanks. Is the sanding "from a 600 grit down to a 2500 grit" done by hand or is there a mechanical method of sanding at those grits and also at those grits in tighter corners?

[piecesparts]

If you use a D&A sander, you tend to get too much gouging in your metal. I use wet-n-dry sandpaper with WD-40 as a lubricant to keep the paper clean. First 600, then 1200 or 1500, and finally 2500 to finish up. This leads to the use of the polishing stuff and the different buffing pads in the process.