aluminum polishes -- what works best for you? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

jakeslim · 08-29-2004, 01:19 AM

I just picked up an outer 69 grill (daily driver condition) for my 69 blazer. Pretty good deal, got the inner(perfect shape) and outer (some dings) , both for $13 ! Today was Pick n Pull 1/2 off everything today. NOW, I tried to shine it up with some Mothers Mag/Aluminum polish, but it was not as good as i expected. Is there something better, perhaps a little more abrasive in a non scratch way?

68plus4sub · 08-29-2004, 02:21 AM

I have used Mother's on that same part with pretty good results. I have found though that if I use to much it doesn't work as well as if I use just a little. I usually put just a little on at a time and try to spread it out a lot. Then I often do it a second time just for fun!! (and to make my fingers ache).

Hope that helps, it's the only stuff I use, so no other brand experience.

**fine69** · 08-29-2004, 02:55 AM

This is the only aluminum polish i use now.

http://www.awdirect.com/awdirect/fin...m?itemid=10230

www.awdirect.com

Works better than anything else.

chevyboy55 · 08-29-2004, 09:17 AM

Wenol is a very good polish. It comes in a tube. You can get it at some auto parts stores or at car shows.

Mudder · 08-29-2004, 10:07 AM

California Customs Purple Polish and oxidizer. Fine69 sorry, I bought two bottles of the Bushes this summer thinking it might be better than the Calif. Customs but it wasnt and I ended up giving it away to the local Fire Dept. Sometimes different products will work better for different things also. I have never used anything on a grille. I just know for polished wheels, tool boxes, etc, theres nothing better than CC's.

Fine...pm me your address.

smokekiki · 08-29-2004, 10:33 AM

The grill is anodized.To polish it with mothers,or other brands,You need to remove the anodizing with oven cleaner.Remove the anodizing by spraying on the oven cleaner and letting it sit for 5-10min,then hose it off.May need to repeat.

jakeslim · 08-29-2004, 10:35 AM

Thanks everyone. I'll go see what the local auto parts has. The CC stuff sounds good, but probably not avail locally(?).

jakeslim · 08-29-2004, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smokekiki

The grill is anodized.To polish it with mothers,or other brands,You need to remove the anodizing with oven cleaner.Remove the anodizing by spraying on the oven cleaner and letting it sit for 5-10min,then hose it off.May need to repeat.

oven cleaner.....hmm. I'll try it on the grill i removed first. Cool tip, thanks!

smokekiki · 08-29-2004, 10:44 AM

You can hammer out the small dings,then use fine wet/dry paper to smooth the grill.use 600,1000,then finish with 1500 or 2000,then the aluminum polish.The grill will almost look like chrome.Sounds like a lot of work,but the sanding goes quick.

Mudder · 08-29-2004, 11:19 AM

For aluminum you will want the Purple and the oxidizer (green).

http://www.californiacustom.com/

3rdGenrationChevyman · 08-29-2004, 03:50 PM

A 1500-3000 rpm buffer with a starched wheel, Jewlers rouge (fine grit = white, medium=green, heavy=brown, overkill=black) & blue magic hand polish worked the best for me - the blue magic has a silicone sealant to protect the open pore aluminum from road crap & the weather

fast71 · 08-29-2004, 05:24 PM

jakeslim check this out . This Is my second grill I have done
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php3?t=115601

fast71 · 08-29-2004, 05:28 PM

heres another . This the first one I did.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php3?t=67598

Bill72BB · 08-29-2004, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jakeslim

Thanks everyone. I'll go see what the local auto parts has. The CC stuff sounds good, but probably not avail locally(?).

I get my Cal Custom at the shops that cater to 18 wheelers .I've tried several and Mudder turned me on to CC several years ago .

jakeslim · 08-29-2004, 07:59 PM

Welll....all done! I went out and bought some oven cleaner, and some 1000 and 2000 grit sand paper. Sprayed the grill with the cleaner and let sit for a bit. Hosed it off and let it dry(2 minutes considering the heat out here!). First I went with the 1000 grit, wiped, then the 2000 grit. Next I used the Mothers aluminum polish to finish it up. WOW. Amazing shine. I also taped it it up and sprayed all the accent paint(black). Also painted the inner grill black to make the grill really stand out. NICE! The grill cost me $13(inner and outer) so I'm happy. Is it perfect? No. Is it much nicer than my old smashed grill? Yep.

Thanks for all the tips.
jakeslim

08-29-2004, 01:19 AM	#1
jakeslim Premium Level Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Northern CA Posts: 829	aluminum polishes -- what works best for you? I just picked up an outer 69 grill (daily driver condition) for my 69 blazer. Pretty good deal, got the inner(perfect shape) and outer (some dings) , both for $13 ! Today was Pick n Pull 1/2 off everything today. NOW, I tried to shine it up with some Mothers Mag/Aluminum polish, but it was not as good as i expected. Is there something better, perhaps a little more abrasive in a non scratch way?

08-29-2004, 02:21 AM	#2
68plus4sub Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 210	I have used Mother's on that same part with pretty good results. I have found though that if I use to much it doesn't work as well as if I use just a little. I usually put just a little on at a time and try to spread it out a lot. Then I often do it a second time just for fun!! (and to make my fingers ache). Hope that helps, it's the only stuff I use, so no other brand experience. __________________ 1972 Chevrolet Suburban ('68 front clip), 2wd, 350/350, factory tilt 2008 Kawasaki Concours 14 1997 Harley-Davidson Soft Tail Custom 1948 Chevrolet Coupe (project) 1972 Porsche 914

08-29-2004, 02:55 AM	#3
fine69 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Urbana,Ohio,USA Posts: 4,618	This is the only aluminum polish i use now. http://www.awdirect.com/awdirect/fin...m?itemid=10230 www.awdirect.com Works better than anything else. __________________ 2008 Chevy HHR 1/2 panel. 1949 Chevy Panel truck(just sittin, waiting) Board member #6

08-29-2004, 10:33 AM	#6
smokekiki Mike Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: west chester pa Posts: 2,474	The grill is anodized.To polish it with mothers,or other brands,You need to remove the anodizing with oven cleaner.Remove the anodizing by spraying on the oven cleaner and letting it sit for 5-10min,then hose it off.May need to repeat. __________________ 70'c/10, 71 suburban4x4 402bb, 72suburban 4/6 drop, 72k/5 4x4 blazer 4" lift 35 tires

08-29-2004, 10:44 AM	#9
smokekiki Mike Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: west chester pa Posts: 2,474	You can hammer out the small dings,then use fine wet/dry paper to smooth the grill.use 600,1000,then finish with 1500 or 2000,then the aluminum polish.The grill will almost look like chrome.Sounds like a lot of work,but the sanding goes quick. __________________ 70'c/10, 71 suburban4x4 402bb, 72suburban 4/6 drop, 72k/5 4x4 blazer 4" lift 35 tires

08-29-2004, 09:17 AM	#4
chevyboy55 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Kelso,Wa Posts: 3,637	Wenol is a very good polish. It comes in a tube. You can get it at some auto parts stores or at car shows.

08-29-2004, 10:07 AM	#5
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,336	California Customs Purple Polish and oxidizer. Fine69 sorry, I bought two bottles of the Bushes this summer thinking it might be better than the Calif. Customs but it wasnt and I ended up giving it away to the local Fire Dept. Sometimes different products will work better for different things also. I have never used anything on a grille. I just know for polished wheels, tool boxes, etc, theres nothing better than CC's. Fine...pm me your address.

08-29-2004, 10:35 AM	#7
jakeslim Premium Level Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Northern CA Posts: 829	Thanks everyone. I'll go see what the local auto parts has. The CC stuff sounds good, but probably not avail locally(?).

08-29-2004, 11:19 AM	#10
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,336	For aluminum you will want the Purple and the oxidizer (green). http://www.californiacustom.com/

08-29-2004, 03:50 PM	#11
3rdGenrationChevyman What me ugly? Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 104	A 1500-3000 rpm buffer with a starched wheel, Jewlers rouge (fine grit = white, medium=green, heavy=brown, overkill=black) & blue magic hand polish worked the best for me - the blue magic has a silicone sealant to protect the open pore aluminum from road crap & the weather __________________ `70 C-10 LWB Big & Ugly, like its owner... 307 SB - 600 Holley, Offenhauser 360 - Muncie 465, 3:73 Posi, 33" BF-G`s I like my trucks like my women... big & old with 33" feet.

08-29-2004, 05:24 PM	#12
fast71 Drive it like U stole it Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: tunnel hill ,GA /Chatt,TN Posts: 956	jakeslim check this out . This Is my second grill I have done http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php3?t=115601 __________________ 71 custom 10 swb 72 nova ss 72 nova custom 87 s10 96 burb 94 camry 53 5 window 3100

08-29-2004, 05:28 PM	#13
fast71 Drive it like U stole it Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: tunnel hill ,GA /Chatt,TN Posts: 956	heres another . This the first one I did. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php3?t=67598 __________________ 71 custom 10 swb 72 nova ss 72 nova custom 87 s10 96 burb 94 camry 53 5 window 3100

08-29-2004, 07:59 PM	#15
jakeslim Premium Level Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Northern CA Posts: 829	Welll....all done! I went out and bought some oven cleaner, and some 1000 and 2000 grit sand paper. Sprayed the grill with the cleaner and let sit for a bit. Hosed it off and let it dry(2 minutes considering the heat out here!). First I went with the 1000 grit, wiped, then the 2000 grit. Next I used the Mothers aluminum polish to finish it up. WOW. Amazing shine. I also taped it it up and sprayed all the accent paint(black). Also painted the inner grill black to make the grill really stand out. NICE! The grill cost me $13(inner and outer) so I'm happy. Is it perfect? No. Is it much nicer than my old smashed grill? Yep. Thanks for all the tips. jakeslim



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