Alloy polishing guide

derrrr
-what you want is called
OVEN PRIDE
you get a ready mixed solution of caustic soda in a gel, the box comes with a large bag, so you slosh some solution in, then rub the silver anno off through the bag - no need for gloves, push the stripped item out of the bag then neutralise it with water on the floor. - simples

"so easy, a man can do it!"

I dont thk oven pride will polish them for me but maybe just clean the old polish off.
You still will need a good polish and what I was saying is dont waste your time with brasso get autosol for the same price. it does a great job.

So, I've stripped the frame with Nitromors but was left with a dull finish as oppose to a raw alu finish I was hoping. The 'primer' effect needed to be taken off using plenty of elbow grease and sanding.
There's still a few bits of paint on the stays that need another quick going over with Nitromors but what I want now is to get the frame looking evenly polished/buffed with no 'sanding' marks which it currently has. Other than spending the next 2/3 weeks doing it myself with wet & dry(which I don't really wanna do as it's now my only bike so need it finished asap) does anyone know any quick ways of getting my desired effect? Or even any proffesional finishers that can just buff the fuck out of it in a day or two?
Thanks

There is a little two man polishing outfit behind Milwall stadium- they polished this frame which was in much worse condition that yours up to a mirror finish, then sent it to Vaz for clearcoating.

The only thing that took a while was waiting for Vaz.

I've got the number somewhere if you want it?

Nice one Neil, defo interested in that number, can you please PM me it

I don't want it as shiny as that though, more of a 'top of a coke can' finish.

I looked into that- seemed that getting it polished then bead blasted was the best way of getting that finish, and I could not be arsed to send if off to the blasters.

Use one of these. Don't bother with eye protection...

Use one of these. Don't bother with eye protection...

That's just pure comedy gold right there.

Bang on the money with a top notch post including both helpful hints and chuckles.

Give yourself a big old pat on the back.

If you can get hold of some polishing mops and compound pastes to use with a dremel/drill, that would be ideal.

Otherwise use some wire wool to get it a bit finer, then cover the whole thing in brasso/autosol and rub it in slowly till the aluminium starts to react/dissolve (it will turn dark grey) once you have it all like this get a rough rag (like a tea towel) and polish like crazy (shoe shine style)

It should then look fairly shiny, but finish it off with a soft cloth/sock/buffer which will clean of the last of the polish.

Remember youll have to do this every so often as the alloy will form a whitish oxide (go dull)

go with the pay option if you can afford.

Graeme, sounds like you're after a brushed aluminum finish. R&G do bead blasting and can use different media to do it i.e. glass, beads etc. I wouldn't go to Vaz. He may be in local (Hither Green) but too many at best average reports on the time he takes and more importantly the quality of his work (though being an Alu frame you'd have no rusting worries).

Here's R&G's details

Let me know how it goes

If you can get hold of some polishing mops and compound pastes to use with a dremel/drill, that would be ideal.

Otherwise use some wire wool to get it a bit finer, then cover the whole thing in brasso/autosol and rub it in slowly till the aluminium starts to react/dissolve (it will turn dark grey) once you have it all like this get a rough rag (like a tea towel) and polish like crazy (shoe shine style)

It should then look fairly shiny, but finish it off with a soft cloth/sock/buffer which will clean of the last of the polish.

Remember youll have to do this every so often as the alloy will form a whitish oxide (go dull)
dont use a dremel -.- its bad enough for cranks! i immediatly switched to a power drill :) but yeh polishing mops and compounds are a good DIY way to go - it is alot of work though and if you want a dull finish i think a primary compound might be ok, you might need a secondary though if its a bit to scratched looking.

polish then bead blast sounds good though - +1 to the comment about doing this if you have the cash - will save you a lot of time and hastle!

Why would you polish before blasting?

I always have a good polish before i blast

Thats going to look nice Graham, looking forward to seeing built up

Why would you polish before blasting?

Are you able to apply any decals to a raw frame before clear coat? Some black or white Bianci text to replace the celeste previously would look great (IMO). Or can you source a Bianchi headbadge decals?

The reason I stripped it cos I got fed up of the lairy decals, want it completely silver

Why would you polish before blasting?

The frame that I received had been grit blasted then repainted- badly.

If I'd sent it to be blasted the opinion was that it would make hardly any difference as I wanted a satin finish, and the metal was too rough for that.

Hence polish then blast with (I think) walnut shells.

I still don't see the point in polishing before blasting.

you get a nicer finish when polishing before blasting - the surface is much more uniform afterwards!

Whatever you do make sure you get a clear coat of laquer on there afterwards or else it won't stay polished looking for long!

Don't think I'll bother with clearcoat, just autosol/brasso it every now and then

how quickly does ally tarnish ?

There is no point polishing before blasting - that will undo all your hard work.

The time the shine takes to degrade and the ultimate finish you will get depends on the alloy. No amount of polishing will shine up crap alloy well. I've just had some Japanese (motor) bike chaincases back from the polishers and they are crap compared to the finish acheived with good old British bike alloys..if you don't want a chrome look though you'll be fine.

Have you thought of powdercoat? I've used these guys loads of times and they offer loads of finishes - metalflake and chrome as well as straight colours... http://www.adeptindustrialfinishers.co.uk/index.html