Polishing Aluminum - My Amateur Efforts

[LJ.]

Good stuff Richard thanks for that, but isn't it a horrible dirty mucky job? and of course sanding the job in a dry state calls for good breathing protection.

I also highly recommend the mequires metal polish, it's bloomin expensive but well worth it. I don't know what the formula is as it seems to work without any such effort and the smell is another thing. The shine lasts for a very long time, and will even work if light oil or grease is present. Buffing off the dried Meguires with a soft cloth then gives the paintwork an incredible shine too.

(BTW: I'm managing director of Meguires!)   (Just joking of course)

[A10Boy]

Richard

Useful information, thanks.

[lawnmowerman]

Not in stock at my local Halfords but found it on Amazon a quid cheaper at £7.99 with free delivery.
Jim

[JohnH]

Richard,

Your post started off a really interesting and useful thread. Most of my polishing was done when God was a lad and Solvol was all that was available. However, I'm just about to start getting stuck in on my GF and your own input and the additions will be really useful. The only downside is that I'vejust been out and bought a tube of Solvol ..... Ho Hum. Brilliant (literally) job and good photos too ..... Many thanks!,
John

[bsa-bill]

Am I alone in thinking the Solvol of yesteryear is not the Solvol of today ( no Autosol I think).
I have some good polishes including Flitz and Maas but always looking to try others, Halfords have a three for two offer on cleaners and polishes at the moment so will look in tomorrow and see if they have the mequires metal polish, is the motorcyle stuff different to the car stuff?

[metalflake11]

I bought a 4" loose fold mop with a nut and bolt through it. I smear solvol all over the larger casings with my finger, then I put the mop in a hand drill and polish away. It is so easy and quick! I've heard a lot about this Meguiers stuff too and will be having a go of that when L.J. sends me a small sample. 

[metalflake11]

I bought some Meguirs polish today from Halfords. Very impressed, it improved some already well polished aluminium noticeably.
'NXT All Metal Polysh.'........Spelling correct.

.

[JulianM]

Big box on it's way to you!
Can I have it all back in time for Christmas?

Julian 

[metalflake11]

Well, I dragged him onto the ramp tonight to do some polishing with the Maguires polish. With very little effort here you are.
Then this happened, but you get the picture (No pun intended.)
It improved the chromework too............... I would like to point out that I have no connection with this product whatsoever!

[muskrat]

 Very nice mate. Be a shame to take it out and get it grubby. At least the tin top drivers can't say "I didn't see him officer".
I got a set of cases on fleabay. I couldn't believe it when I opened the box to see the whole crank case was polished.
Cheers

[metalflake11]

You lucky Bugger!.......It took ages to do the outside of the crankcases (for show), and then the inside (for go!) As for getting him grubby it's par for the course, it never stops raining in Manchester. It is known as Rainy City in the UK, but the real pain is salt on the road.
Somebody posted earlier that the Maguirs leaves a wax coat behind, we will see this week. Come bath time next weekend I am hoping the cases will still be shiny. We will see eh?
                             Rob.

[Stephen Foster]

Is "Maguirs" safe to polish chrome & does it add protection ?

[metalflake11]

I am led to believe it leaves a wax like coating. And yes, good for chrome too. Don't overdo it though, chrome being only a few microns thick does not take a lot of rubbing away.

[JulianM]

I polish my "Avatar" with Mguires and I must say I am impressed.
I have left it over night in the rain and then left it to dry in the workshop and the ally has reacted like paintwork, "just shrugged it off"
The non polished areas take much more looking after!
good product I think!

Julian

[Stephen Foster]

Thanks for the advice re chrome "metalflake" that had been My concern .

Steve ..