Polishing cockpit panels

[bigmack]

Hello,
I was wondering what most of you guys use to polish your aluminum panels. I've tried 4" and 6" polishing wheels that fit onto a 1/2" electric drill. This always leaves a streaky surface though. Has anyone tried a cyclo polisher?
Thanks!
-Mack

[stig]

Mack - I posed this question to Craig Bramscher as his panels look superb. However, I never got a reply!

My test piece looked exactly as you've described, with 'swirl' burrs on the finish.

I decided that the 'natural' look of the ally was more in keeping with the car and the reflections can become distracting especially in bright sunlight.

[polson]

I have polished my panels up to a mirror finish using ordinary metal polish. However, it very quickly tarnishes, so I have given up now. As Guy said to me "stop worrying about it and just drive the thing".

Having said that I did read a thread on the caterham 7 chat site (blatchat.com) about an aluminium polish called Belgom Alu polish. Haven't tried it myself.

See the thread on blatchat for some contact details...

www.blatchat.com/Topic.asp?topic_id=18661&forum_id=8

[G Man]

I used Autogym Metal Polish.

Results were good

[bigmack]

Thanks. I found a guy who has an aluminum skinned airplane, and I'm pretty impressed with his results with a cyclo polisher. www.perfectpolish.com/Index.htm
If I find something that really works, then I'll post back my results.
Cheers!
-Mack