Best stuff for getting ali castings back to as new look?

[TVR Beaver]

As the title says.. whats best for geting the Ali castings back to that 'as cast' look?.. When I bought my 72mm Plenum that looked brand new but it was orviously re-worked so how do they get it looking all nice and shiny again without going to polishing etc....

I did use costic soda years ago on my bikes ... but is this whats used now?

[jfjfjf2]

Wire wheels and cup wheels work well but you might prefer nylon filament wheels and cups which are less abrasive. Use on their own or with brake cleaner.

http://www.abbeypowertools.co.uk/subprod/power-dri...

Julian

[THREEFISHORANGE]

You could take it to a blasters where they use glass beads or fine media.

[GasMunkey]

Blasting it is the only way

[SSPPGG]

using a finer soda blast works well,

[TVR Beaver]

Thanks guy's... I'll see who does glass bead blasting localy..

Julian... I think the wire brush bit changes the surface too much.. and gives it a darked brushed finish... I think blasting it is....

Cheers

[topsparks]

Vapour blasting is the only way!

Edited by topsparks on Sunday 28th October 20:00

Edited by topsparks on Sunday 28th October 20:01

[TVR Beaver]

James.. that is nice!... how do they know they've got all the little bits out

had a friend once did a trials bike.. .oil in frame.. splendid job but ran for about 10 mins and was shot... yup... blast stuff had got in the frame and he'd not got it out

Anyway... my inlet manifold is in the dish washer now .. shhhh... wife is out visiting a friend in hospital

[GasMunkey]

Let us know how it comes out, I got a few bits that could either go in the dishwasher or steam cleaner or shot blaster at work

[topsparks]

The blasting process uses water vapour with a very fine abrasive which was developed for the aerospace industry,not cheap from memory that lot cost me £130 cash but the finish speaks for itself shame you can't see much in the Disco engine bay now its in!

[Simon says]

Try the dish washer loaded with soda crystals rather than dishwasher tab Topsparks that's impressive stuff you had there

[TVR Beaver]

Dish washer is not an option going forward I was caught!!

It got quite a bit off but left it dull with some ingrained bits still there.. will get them with a wire or brass brush and see if it shines up

[Hoover.]

Have you tried using wire wool .... Not used it on the Griff but buffed up a few Ali edge strip samples and got them approved by an architect in lieu of stainless steel

[Hoover.]

Have you tried using wire wool .... Not used it on the Griff but buffed up a few Ali edge strip samples and got them approved by an architect in lieu of stainless steel

[TVR Beaver]

will give it a try.. get a load on the end of an old rotary brush and see what it does?