Hi All
Bought some of this g3 compound liquid and a new sponge for the polishing /compound buff that i have borrowed from my pal. anyone got any experience
of using this on the alloy panels along the side? Want to bring them up nice!
Thanks in advance
Brian
With a polishing mop, you will get a mirror finish in minutes, the head will be ruined for anything else though, black as a black thing!
Been there - tried that...
Didn't find it very effective TBH. I found that the compound would tend to immediately 'dry out' almost as soon as it was used. A
little water helped slightly, but the main problem was using the mop itself. Even with little/no pressure, the compound would dry out with the heat
build up- probably because of the speed of the mop. This also meant that the mop clogged up quickly too. Using the compound by hand was fine - but
hard work...
According to what condition your panels are presently in, the best/easiest way I have found to get a good finish is the use of a cheap electric
polisher from Argos, used with Autosol. It ossilates (sp?) rather than spins, and generates far less heat. Do not apply to much polish, and wipe the
remaining residue off with a yellow household duster dipped in flour.
The more you do it, the better it will get too... 
HTH Stu.
The mop should be wet - it says so in the instructions on the back
ATB
Simon
Yes, but I know what Stu is saying. Even on paintwork, it can be very difficult to keep it wet enough to stop it going tacky, unless you have a very
slow speed polisher. I use a mop on my random orbital sander set to a low speed but it still tacks up, especially in the summer. It's not so bad
if you have a little pump spray (a 99p from Focus DIY jobbie) and keep spraying water on ahead of yourself.
Just to add though, I still haven't found anything better than G3, it is excellent stuff!!!!!
[Edited on 17/3/05 by NS Dev]
It sounds like you are using a grinder with a mop head attached. A purpose made polishing mop is slow enough to do the job without any burning or premature drying out
I was definately using the right thing Mark (my father owned his own bodyshop for 35 years...).
Simon, the mop shouldn't be used wet, it should be damp. Two different things, especially if you dont want polish residue flung everywhere...
I really have tired all sorts of combinations of polish, compounds, and equipment, with the sole aim of trying to get the best finish, with as little
effort as possible. The ay I mentioned above has worked best so far...
One thing is certain, quite a bit of effort is required, whatever option is picked.
It does take a lot of upkeep, and I still have thoughts of painting it, but it does look really well when I can be arsed! A little piccy for
inspiration to all you ali polishers...
Track Action @ Curborough
When I see it shining like that (rare!) I know the hard work is worth it...
HTH Stu.
I agree with you Stu,I even bought a polishing machine especially for the job,complete waste of time,tried a yellow blue and white compound head none
of em did the trick.
Found the best bet was solvol then duraglit by hand,wear latex gloves though your hands are black for ages after.
Cheers,
Bob
Best way to polish ali is with a polish head in a drill (bench grinder is better as you can really lean on the thing).....then with different grades of what can only be described as "wierd soap" you will get a shine like bog all else..........G3 G6 etc is ok on paint and gel coat but due to needing water it makes a right bloody mess when trying to buff up ali......
I have tried that too, and for large panels made of sheet ali, that is no good either - whilst it does give an amazing shine, it tends to be patchy in appearance (caused by using a small 'pad' on a large surface), and it is very easy to burn the ali too, very little pressure can be applied to thin panels. But if you want to polish a rocker cover up, I agree fully...
quote:
Originally posted by colmaccoll
Another one for inspiration, All done by hand for me though using either Autosol or Peek but always with the removing cloth dipped in flour
I thank you...
I actually prefer dull aluminium. It saves lots of time and effort. Flour is for making bread, cakes and scones.
Me too Pete. Driving, and eating cakes is much more fun than polishing...
it's the uniform dullness that's a PITA
that's why i ended up polishing my gear lever trim ring i made.GRRRRRRRRRRRRR!
everything else is brushed!
tom
[Edited on 25/3/05 by indykid]
Rescued attachment ring.jpg
quote:
Originally posted by Stu16v
Me too Pete. Driving, and eating cakes is much more fun than polishing...