Noob question about Polishing

[oldtoys72]

ok so here is the deal, I have to trikes that I want to do fround up makeovers on. I want as much "bling bling" as they say as possible. Im wondering what all it takes and what tools are required to polish and how to do it. I figure with as much as I want to do it will be cheaper for me just to buy the tools and learn how to do it. What do you guys think? I know your gear heads out there can help me out with this!

Thanks in advance,

Oldtoys72

[Mr_RPM]

many many different grits of sand paper progressively getting finer, and a buffer. thats how we learned to polish alot of metals in jewelry class. oh and some polishing wax or polishing clay on the buffer.
as for aluminum and steel im not as sure.

[oldtoys72]

Well that doesn't seem all that hard! Anybody else wanna weigh in?

[obijuan]

sandpaper in a circular motion up to 2000, getting progressively finer. a good metal polish butter like "met-all" or "five star" and a buffer just makes quick work of it. otherwise use a towel and elbow grease.
i wouldnt clearcoat polish, because its polished and nothing will stick to it. maintain the rig and it will stay clean and shiny. powder will stick because its so hard but after a while and one good chip, it can peel off in flakes.

[Thorpe]

Talk to Greg King (gkingpolishing) here on the boards... For the amount of work it is, and the expense of buying all the stuff, I send my stuff to greg... He does awesome work! My BR fork lowers are mirrors now!

[oldtoys72]

it sounds like something the average joe can do himself with a little bit of work so why is everyone sending their stuff out?

[Pintowagon77]

People are lazy... I did a fooler head with sand paper from 70 grit to 220 then bought a $40 pack of sand paper at a autobody shop- bout 2in thick ranged 380 to 1600. and did what i could. Then i had a can of Airstream motorhome- cuz they are aluminum- and a couple different buffer wheels. the stuff i have done that way are decent looking. No for show bikes but quick. I could do a water pumper head in half the time than a fooler and it only took 10hrs by hand sanding mind you.

[oldtoys72]

Would it be possible to use a dremel for inbetween the fins on the fooler head?

[obijuan]

looks crappy IMO.

[jeswinehart]

Hey Mike, this is a idea I am trying out on my front forks.
They are basically in good/great shape except for the area between the triple trees (pitted/rusty). I finally located the alu one and a half inch material I been looking for at a local scrap yard and just got done cutting and beveling them to how I want them to fit up.
Tomorrow i will sand blast them at work and then use good ole #7 rubbing compound (2.75 a can) and a buffing wheel to bring to a very high luster/polish.
Do NOT where anything close to good clothing when buffing (apron recommended along with eye protection) but I think you will be happy with the results/cost. I know I have been using this method and follow up with Mothers polish from time to time (that stuff is expensive but go a long ways).
Pictures in a day or two on my project.
And yes, Glings polishing produces some of the brightest buffing/polishing I have EVER seen.
john

[oldtoys72]

Do Ýou have any pics of the stuff you have done?

[oldtoys72]

sorry, when i replied it was from my phone and the pics you posted didnt show up on there! How about stuff with paint on it?

[jeswinehart]

Nope, nothing on file. Removing paint might be a whole new posting. I prefer sand blasting metal parts and on painted plastic oven cleaner (wear gloves unless you do not need your finger prints for a while :))
I will have some pics for you in a day or two,,,

john

[obijuan]

painted aluminum, thin coat of aircraft stripper. takes anything off in no time. then wash it and prep like normal.

[Grizzlypeg]

You can do it yourself, but its a dirty job and a lot of work. Industrial buffers are too expensive for the average guy, and they have the horsepower to make the job a lot faster. Wear a mask and ideally have an exhaust system set up to minimize the crap in the air.

[oldtoys72]

I have access to a full body shop that belongs to a relative, he is usually pretty cool about letting me use up a little space in the shop! Basically I want to polish every possible piece on the trikes, so the only pieces that can be polished are what is made from aluminum or what? I have ZERO experience with this so Im pretty much lost.... How about the swinger, fork bottoms, axels etc... are those things that should just be powdercoated or what? sorry for being such a noob on this topic but I guess the only way to learn is to ask questions right?

[gkingpolishing]

I don't want to try to keep you from learning the trade,i myself take the upmost pride in what i do.Frist thing i can tell you is that the prep work is the key to open the 1st door,when i say prep work i mean tools!Trust in what i say,if you don't have proper tools you will NEVER get the results your after.
First thing you need to know is deburring(sanding)if you are hand sanding you will NOT have good results,you need belt sander,die grinder,angle grinder,da sander,and a good palm sander(for flat sanding)you will need sanding rolls(not cheap)you will flap wheel paper not that cheap trailprotrailprotrailprotrailpro,must be stiff i use 4'' 100 yd's of 180,220,320 and 400 grit.5'' or 6'' psa sand paper 80,120,220,320,400 and that is grits.
Air compressor nothing under 220 6-8 hp 80 gal tank with at least 90-120 psi continues at that pressure!Got to have good pressure when bead blasting.
Polishing machine again nothing under 5hp 220 or 440 volt,you want to have a fast rpm,i run a 5hp 20 amp 3600rpm(it can and will take your hand off your wrist)I've seen it done,(not pretty) and a 2hp 15amp 2000 rpm machine for coloring(final buff)these machines alone 2500.00 you get cheap 1/4 hp or even 1/2 hp machines you will not be happy in the long run(to slow no balls)somthing to think about.
Polishing and cutting wheels,sisal wheels takes the sanding marks out,get the good ply 60-80ply is great,others will fall apart fast(money wasted)airway wheels,these wheels do all the work and made to keep you metal from getting to hot,not cheap(8.00-12.00 a wheel)sewn buff wheels are great for cutting stainless,loose flannel good for blending,and soft alum polishing,some small 2'' 3'' 4'' 6'' and 8'' razor buffs(remember tight ply)you will need buff rolls(cloth)these you use in tight spots with you die grinder.
Compounds black,green,brown and white,each bar will run you 6.00-8.00 a bar(big bars)the more you order the cost comes down.
for now thats all i can tell you,i will post more later but if you have this type of equipment i will tell you more,i got 23+years in this trade so i can steer you in on the rite way to become a great polisher,it's not somthing you can learn in one day!! but this is the 1st step (tools,machines,supplies)
If you want to take a peek at some of work visit this link http://hstrial-gkingpolishing.intuitwebsites.com/index.html or just google gking polishing.com

[oldtoys72]

I have no polishing machine, unless you mean a high speed buffer, other than that I have all those tools at my disposal at the shop. bead blasting? it sounds like its far more complicated than what i wanted to get into! I just dont have the cash flow to have everything I want polished done so i was hopeing i could do it myself. Now i dont know what the hell to do!

[oldtoys72]

checked out your site by the way, WOW that is some damn nice work you do!

[gkingpolishing]

THANKS OLDTOY72,by the way what are you looking at getting polished? Think of everything,write it down and lets just see what i can do for you.
Just keep in mind that you don't want to polish steel,unless your going to have it clear coated,but everything else IT'S ON!!

THANKS

[seadoo650]

Here are a few shots of my 250R forks I did a few years back. Done with an angle grinder and scotchbright pads and polishing pad and good polish. Like others stated, it involves alot of time. I've probably got a good 5-6 hours in these total. With the time involved you may be ahead to send it to Gking. Expense wise it's not too bad, Just alot of time and getting dirty. I've got the process down now and can do a set of fork tubes in about an hour and a half, start to finish. If you do it your self, be very careful cause one wront more can ruin your project.
http://i478.photobucket.com/albums/rr143/seadoo650/Photo_041507_006.jpg
http://i478.photobucket.com/albums/rr143/seadoo650/Photo_041507_012.jpg
http://i478.photobucket.com/albums/rr143/seadoo650/Photo_041507_001.jpg

[mtsnieg]

Those are some dam nice looking forks and tripples Seadoo. I'm gonna have to make mine look lkike that someday.

[dedman289]

Im new can any one help how me how to post a frkn thread

[seadoo650]

Im new can any one help how me how to post a frkn thread

At the top right of every forum is a button that says start new thread. Use that.

[jeswinehart]

the first pic is after sand blasting, another picture of 1/2 hours work with #7 + the drill buffing wheel and a light "hand job" with Mothers polish and this is how it turned out.
The other picture is of the one piece on top of some nickle chromed parts I had done for my build so i have a good match, or at least I am happy with it.
If I was going for something to look into and be able to shave, gkingpolishing would be getting mail.
I think your buddy will be of much more hands on help then any of us to be honest.

john

[gkingpolishing]

or you could just send to me...lol ..just sayin...

[Aka_am]

I have a 4 bar set of rouge and a dremel. Don't try this, it takes forever! I do have 6" wheels but no buffer yet. Using the dremel is good for like a carb bowl, with little bobs (which i don't have).

Atm, it's way better to have someone do it for me than myself if I had the funds.

I have hand polished for hours and hours. Black finger tips and very sore fingers just sucks.

[jmax857]

gkingpolishing, what do you charge? lets say for a clutch cover? it would have to be worth saving the time to do.