Alloy polishing

[Worty]

Quick question.  Anyone have any clever ways of polishing out small scratches on timing/primary covers?

[RichardL]

This was my approach for a full-out refinish of a gearbox while cover off the bike.

https://www.a7a10.net/forum/index.php?topic=3133.msg21388#msg21388

Richard L.

[Worty]

Nice one Richard, much appreciated!

[bsa-bill]

Halfords sell an alloy polishing kit for £19, the mops looks quite different to the normal kits but it works well enough.
worth a try without buying something more expensive, secret is speed, you need a fast drill cordless won't do it, I use a Bosch that gets upto 3000 rpm

https://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/SearchRouter?srch=Alloy+polishing+kit&action=search&storeId=10001&catalogId=10151&langId=-1

[Worty]

Thanks Bill, I have a few fast drills like the one you mentioned.

[Peter Gee]

I bought a bosch random orbital sander, the "green" non-professional version and it was not dear. Goes up to 20,000 rpm (variable) and has transformed my restoration work - I used to use an air orbital with a bigger disc.

I use fine 240 or more grit discs  on covers to get out most of the minor scrapes and micro nicks. Then I have a CETEM polishing kit.........if you have a bench grinder it's easy to get a nose to fit polishing mops.