topplate finishing

[intojazz]

Whats the trick to getting a mirror finish on those aluminum top plates. I've wet sanded down to 1500, I can still see some grain. Probably needs to be polished out with some kind of wheel?
John

 

[coca]

I usually sand the top plate down as you have done, till the brush marks are out, then use brilo soap pads wth lots of water to bring the shine up, then spray with a clear. Thats version #1

Version #2: Perform version #1 without the clear, then have it chrome plated. This is my prefered version of #1 and#2

Version #3: Perform version #1 without the clear,  then have it copper plated.

Bernie.

 

[intojazz]

Copper plating sounds pretty cool, except I doubt I'm patient enough.
John

 

[rock4016]

I think this stuff has been used to get the mirror finish without without using chrome.
http://www.autogeek.net/motmagalpol.html

Here's the original thread that I was thinking about.
http://tinyurl.com/3f4nrcm

 

[intojazz]

Thanks Rock,
I'll give the Mothers polish a try. I use a lot of their stuff on my car anyway.
john

 

[dbishopbliss]

Here's a link to Wardsweb Paramour page where he talks about polishing the top plates and end bells, etc.

http://www.wardsweb.org/audio/paramours/prep/prep.html

 

[intojazz]

The Mother's polish worked great! Thanks.
John

 

[jrebman]

What would people recommend if I just wanted to brighten up the stock aluminum plate and preserve the grain, before clear coating?  Just would like to remove any old oxidation, fingerprints, etc.

Thanks,

Jim

 

[2wo]

The "Mother's polish" listed above works well. there is another simacrome or something like that. Just go to your local motorcycle or hot rod shop...John 

 

[jrebman]

Thanks, John.  Not too many hotrod shops around here, but I have to order some other stuff from caswell, and they carry Mother's or similar things.

-- Jim