What and how is the best way to polish metal?

Whitethunder46

Whitethunder46

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So, I was going over all of my materials today, and realized I don't exactly have a dedicated metal cleaner. More than that, what is the best way to really restore metal or chrome/aluminum, etc.

What are some of the tools or brushes, etc. that you like to use? What chemicals do you like to use?

The only polish I've ever used was Mother's Chrome polish. I really like this stuff because it really brightens up the chrome. It hazes and buffs off very easy. By no means though does it clean any rough spots or areas.

I'm looking for products that can help some neglected wheels and exhaust tips, chrome bumpers, etc. I'm not looking to make them perfect, just a noticeable difference.
 
P21s polishing soap is great, cleans well

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Fine grade steel wool and a foam type glass cleaner can produce some good results. Not so good for scratch removal, but for negleted areas it works great.
 
Jdm said:
Fine grade steel wool and a foam type glass cleaner can produce some good results. Not so good for scratch removal, but for negleted areas it works great.
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Ahhh, steel wool. I totally forgot about that. Thanks!
 
For unpolished or neglected stainless, I use #0000 steel wool soaked in liquid chrome cleaner. Cleans exhaust tips fast and leaves a nice, protected finish.

For polished aluminum wheels (not clear coated), I use a 3" cotton buffing wheel on a drill with Meguiar's NXT Metal polish or Mothers Billet Creme.

For chrome plated parts, Turtle Wax Chrome Polish works great.

Toto
 
For unpolished or neglected stainless, I use #0000 steel wool soaked in liquid chrome cleaner. Cleans exhaust tips fast and leaves a nice, protected finish.
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Toto. What kind of liquid chrome cleaner do yo use?
 
Jdm said:
Toto. What kind of liquid chrome cleaner do yo use?
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Just about anything I can buy at a hardware store LOL...because it's stainless and I'm trying to remove surface stuff, I tend to use Brasso soaked in the #0000 steel wool. I also bought some cheap stainless liquid polish at the hardware store and used it.

Toto
 
Mmm good call... I would have never guessed to look there. Thanks.
 
Whitethunder46 said:
So, I was going over all of my materials today, and realized I don't exactly have a dedicated metal cleaner. More than that, what is the best way to really restore metal or chrome/aluminum, etc.

What are some of the tools or brushes, etc. that you like to use? What chemicals do you like to use?

The only polish I've ever used was Mother's Chrome polish. I really like this stuff because it really brightens up the chrome. It hazes and buffs off very easy. By no means though does it clean any rough spots or areas.

I'm looking for products that can help some neglected wheels and exhaust tips, chrome bumpers, etc. I'm not looking to make them perfect, just a noticeable difference.
Click to expand...
Magic mix metal polish.My son-in-law works at a buffing company that turns and polishes wheel rims for alcoa amongst others.He gave me a bottle of magic mix but haven't tried it yet.If alcoa likes it,its probably pretty decent.
 
No problem...I usually buy my cotton buffing wheels and stainless polish there.

Here's an exhaust system I did prior to install on the Mach 1. I started with #0000 steel wool + stainless polish and finished with a cotton buffing wheel and Meguiar's NXT Metal Polysh

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Here's the wheels on the Mach 1: I used Meg's NXT Polysh and a cotton buffing wheel. Then sealed the wheels

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That's amazing... It's almost a shame that exhast system had to be used and not framed lol
 
Wow, that SLP system looks incredible. I know first hand what that system looked like before the polishing, and still, that is a remarkeable turn around. I have the full system on my GT.

What stainless polish did you use along with the steel wool?

Did you feel that Megs NXT metal polish was required after this? or was it more for general pleasure?
 
Whitethunder46 said:
Wow, that SLP system looks incredible. I know first hand what that system looked like before the polishing, and still, that is a remarkeable turn around. I have the full system on my GT.

What stainless polish did you use along with the steel wool?

Did you feel that Megs NXT metal polish was required after this? or was it more for general pleasure?
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Thanks for the compliment Whitethunder46! The polish I used was a cheap, stainless polish similar to Brasso (it was cheaper than Brasso and all I was looking for was a product to soak the steel wool and help with that process.) I used the NXT with a cotton buffing wheel as the last process for extra shine and some protection. The cat-back surprisingly holds the shine quite well, considering the heat, etc.

Toto
 
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