How to polish engine

[MRK25T]

I've got some free time on my hands so i've decided to start polishing my engine.

Today after reading another thread where Doctor mentioned using 1200 grade sandpaper I went out today and bought some.

Are there any suggestions/tips/warnings before I start?

What else do I need to make it shiny (and stay shiny)?

Mark

[CMS Drifter]

When using the sandpaper on aluminium, use crc or kerosene, it will lubricate the paper giving a better finish. Then polish sanded surface with autosol, meguiars aluminium polish, or similar.

Only use the sandpaper on rough surfaces. some surfaces will polish up with just autosol or similar.

If the surface is really rough, get a coarser grade sandpaper and still use crc or kero, then work up to the finer grades.

[Doctor]

Hahahahahahaha have fun mate.

After you have used Autosol use Autoglym. It is a bit finer than Autosol and gives a better finish.

Problem is when a bit of water gets on it, you have to give it a bit of a polish but hell its worth it.

[predator]

Say for your intake manifold, can you make that nice and chrome looking with the above method? As standard, its fairly rough and dull - but can you get it up to a fine shine without electroplating or whatever other methods?

[B-Man]

I used a special metal polishing drill attachement (~$30) It comes with course and smooth compound polish - THe polish look a bit like a small bar of soap - You use the drill attachements to smear a whack of compund on before going to your cam covers - It's a bit of elbow grease - but far easier than wet & dry....

You can also use steel wool and autosol. But the drill attachements and compound are the best way to go.

You can get these at Auto-One, Harware house, etc.

Cheers,

[MRK25T]

I never got a good look at your engine Brendan. The first time was at Chatswood when you took me for a ride on the cruise, and the 2nd time was australia day when it was too damn hot to look at/remember anything.

Take a pic with your new camera and email it to me:

[email protected]

Doc: I only saw yours briefly about 6 months ago at burger King. Have you got a better pic of it than that original one you've already posted?

If I loose my patience with sandpaper i'll cheat and use Brendan's drill attachment trick.

Thank you.

Mark

[Doctor]

Yeah use paint stripper first then you use the drill bits as Brendan suggested then use a bit of light sandpaper then the polish.

I'm not at home at the moment but I will post pics tomorrow evening.

The plenum can be polished to a mirror finish but you need to sand the bastard alot to get that finish. I did my inlet pipe and it took a while to get it like a mirror but it looks pretty good though.

[B-Man]

http://www.pbase.com/image/12483256

http://www.pbase.com/image/12483257

http://www.pbase.com/image/12483258

http://www.pbase.com/image/12483259

http://www.pbase.com/image/12483260

http://www.pbase.com/image/12483266

http://www.pbase.com/image/12483267

[B-Man]

Here's the tools

[B-Man]

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[B-Man]

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[B-Man]

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