Polishing sheet aluminum?
-
- Master Varnisher
- Posts: 118
- Joined: Tue Nov 15, 2005 8:04 pm
- Boat Name: Wind Horse
- Boat Type: 1974 Dufour 27
- Location: Casco Bay
- Contact:
Polishing sheet aluminum?
Anybody have any suggestions. I don't need a mirror shine, just a nice even finish.
-
- Candidate for Boat-Obsession Medal
- Posts: 349
- Joined: Mon Jun 11, 2007 9:31 pm
- Boat Name: Paper Moon
- Boat Type: Luders 33 (Allied Boat Co.)
- Location: Mystic CT
Re: Polishing sheet aluminum?
Not knowing the size, my first thought would be Semichrome. Second would be Flitz.
You can get semichrome at just about any car care place and flitz and any boat supply like We$t Marine. Both work well for aluminum.
You can get semichrome at just about any car care place and flitz and any boat supply like We$t Marine. Both work well for aluminum.
Cheers
Dennis
Luders 33 "Paper Moon" Hull No 16
Life is too short to own an ugly boat.
Dennis
Luders 33 "Paper Moon" Hull No 16
Life is too short to own an ugly boat.
Re: Polishing sheet aluminum?
Just in case you're Internet searching, it's spelled "Simichrome." I first used it way back when, on a motorcycle. Made aluminum look practically like chrome. At the time it had that aura of some kind of little-known, imported product that was kind of hard to find, but that was pre-Internet.
http://www.competitionchemicals.com
I've since heard that one shouldn't polish aluminum, because it removes a protective oxidation layer. Does anyone know if this is true? (I read it in the context of someone polishing aluminum window frames on a camper.)
Rachel
http://www.competitionchemicals.com
I've since heard that one shouldn't polish aluminum, because it removes a protective oxidation layer. Does anyone know if this is true? (I read it in the context of someone polishing aluminum window frames on a camper.)
Rachel
-
- Skilled Systems Installer
- Posts: 183
- Joined: Sat Aug 02, 2008 8:46 pm
- Boat Type: Pearson Ensign
- Location: Kansas
Re: Polishing sheet aluminum?
For the low down and pros/cons of alumin polishing go to the Airstream sites. Those guys take that to an art form. Something about heat and reforming the surface instead of an abrasive action. They have recommendations for polish, buffer, types of aluminum that can or can't be polished, and on and on. Polished aluminum should be clear coated or it will oxidize and dull.
http://www.airstreamtrailers.com/
http://www.spartantrailer.com/links.html
http://www.vintagetrailersupply.com/
http://www.airstreamtrailers.com/
http://www.spartantrailer.com/links.html
http://www.vintagetrailersupply.com/
Never finish all your projects or you'll be bored.
-
- Candidate for Boat-Obsession Medal
- Posts: 349
- Joined: Mon Jun 11, 2007 9:31 pm
- Boat Name: Paper Moon
- Boat Type: Luders 33 (Allied Boat Co.)
- Location: Mystic CT
Re: Polishing sheet aluminum?
Yup, Feel kinda dumb. "Simichrome" - Used it on my motorcycle too. It was an old Harley guy that got me started on it. Funny that I googled it and swear I never got the "Did you mean "Simichrome""Rachel wrote:Just in case you're Internet searching, it's spelled "Simichrome." I first used it way back when, on a motorcycle. Made aluminum look practically like chrome. At the time it had that aura of some kind of little-known, imported product that was kind of hard to find, but that was pre-Internet.
Oh well, that is the product. Good point on the Airstream they have lots of aluminum to deal with and most keep it looking like stainless.
Cheers
Dennis
Luders 33 "Paper Moon" Hull No 16
Life is too short to own an ugly boat.
Dennis
Luders 33 "Paper Moon" Hull No 16
Life is too short to own an ugly boat.
-
- Master of the Arcane
- Posts: 1100
- Joined: Fri Aug 26, 2005 9:53 am
- Boat Name: Quetzal
- Boat Type: LeComte North East 38
- Location: Philadelphia, PA
Re: Polishing sheet aluminum?
I chose not to polish the fittings I was making using architectural aluminum offcuts (scraps of doors and frames). I did not like the contrast between the anodized surfaces and those that I was creating. So, I ground off the anodizing and sanded all surfaces with a palm sander with fine paper. Gives a uniform dull grey surface which then forms its own oxide layer uniformly.