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Polishing alloy parts

Posted: Sun May 13, 2018 5:57 am
by GazInOz
Has anyone DIY’d polishing alloy parts, eg headset or horncasting of a Lammie?
How difficult is it, how good was the result, what tools etc??
Thx


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Re: Polishing alloy parts

Posted: Sun May 13, 2018 6:59 am
by onthelam
To look like this?

Image

From the picture you would get similar results by painting it with chrome paint.

Answer: You need a source of hi-speed rotation. Bench grinder, die grinder, some cloth polishing wheels and some polishing compound.
This assume the underlying finish is a good smooth cast look to begin with. Finish off with some AutoSol.

Re: Polishing alloy parts

Posted: Sun May 13, 2018 11:47 am
by GazInOz
onthelam wrote:To look like this?

Image

From the picture you would get similar results by painting it with chrome paint.

Answer: You need a source of hi-speed rotation. Bench grinder, die grinder, some cloth polishing wheels and some polishing compound.
This assume the underlying finish is a good smooth cast look to begin with. Finish off with some AutoSol.
Yes mate, I’m thinking about doing the horncasting and headset top.


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Re: Polishing alloy parts

Posted: Sun May 13, 2018 12:22 pm
by Doom Patrol
Somebody once told me that the secret of obtaining a lasting polished surface is to get it hot enough so that it effectively seals it. It sounds like an art to me, and unless you're a professional you're unlikely to get a finish that lasts.

Re: Polishing alloy parts

Posted: Mon May 14, 2018 7:42 am
by onthelam
Doom Patrol wrote: Sun May 13, 2018 12:22 pm It sounds like an art to me,
Correct
When I worked in the dairy/brewery construction industry the highest paid tradesmen on the site were the polishers. They polished the insides of the welded pipe joints to make them all shiny and capable of being sterilized. The welding was done by machine.