Let's talk Metal Polishing

A

ABQDetailer

New member
I'm getting pretty good with detailing in general but I have one thing that I can't seem to do "right": Metal.



I've been through a few metal OTC products and none have produced the results that I'm looking for. Perhaps I'm expecting too much but I'd like to think I can turn any metal surface into a mirror like finish? :confused:



I have some rims that have a aluminum lip which got some serious water spots on them and I didn't have much luck cleaning them up. I tried 0000 steel wool which cleaned VERY well but then I couldn't get the shine back once I used the steel wool. I bought some Eagle One Never Dull as it was one of the better reviewed products in the Autopia reviews section and it seemed to clean well but would not polish out the dullness left behind by the steel wool.



Since then I've contemplated trying the Mothers polishing balls/cones and/or the Flitz Balls but I see mixed reviews on both of those. Then there are the actual products out there but there are just so many that claim they are the best: 3M, Flitz, Megs, Mothers, Adams, etc. I think every detailing product company makes it's own metal polish now! So I'm a bit overwhelmed with the choices...



So I'd like to hear what the pros are using and I have a few specific questions.



Do you use the same product for all metals? If not what do you use on Chrome, Aluminum, etc?



What is your application method? Terry/MF Towels+Elbow grease? Machine via Ball/Cone/Etc?



Ideally I'd like to have one product that does it all. I just watched an Adams Video of their polish and they have a #1 and #2 polish that covers all metals. I'm not opposed to using a "system" of polishes as long as it covers all metals.



On the other hand I'm quite anal so perhaps buying metal specific polishes would be better? If there is one product that does the best job on Chrome that an all-in-one product can't quite match then maybe I should go that route?



I look forward to your replies, and thanks in advance!
 
aluminum is easy to work with in my opinion.. when simply polishing, as in not major defect removal, i just use a metal polish with a cotton towel, mostly just an old microfiber towel that i wont use for paint again. .. when i need to remove defects i use 2000 grit or higher, and just take my time.. after going 2000 of higher grit, a metal polish should take the sanding marks out.. im not a professional though, just a weekend detailer who takes pride in his work. i have some photos ill look for and post up in a bit if i can find them.
 
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this was an aluminum pipe for a buddys air intake that got all scratched up.. i didnt have any sandpaper finer than 2000, so it wasnt 100% mirror finished, but it looked great none the less.. i just sanded with sanded with 800, then 1500, then finnished wetsanding with 2000 . then polished with meguiars hot rims paste, which is the best metal polish ive tried. better than mothers, eagle one, and slightly better than surfcity. this is just an opinion though. but the results speak for themselves i think.



if you could get awway with just the 2000 (prefferably finer, like 2500 or 3000) then great, if not then try 1500, etc. ive never used less than 800 on metal using very light even pressure.. but again, wait for some pros to chime in. hope it helps
 
Thanks for the feedback!



Do you use Steel Wool? I see a lot of people here recommending it so I gave it a try. It's just getting those marks polished out after that.



I'm still curious what the pros are using. Perhaps I should create a poll?
 
never tried with steel wool. i know a few people who use super fine steel wool followed by a metal polish and get good results... i just hate getting those little peices of steel wool in my hands/fingers, and i get good results with a high grit paper wetsanding, then a polish.. im suprized nobody else has chimed in on this.
 
For serious metal polishing use the proper buffs and compounds. Caswell's site has a forum dedicated to metal polishing and there is a wealth of information there. I have a bench polisher, wheels that fits on a drill and even some for the dremel. Type of buffs and compounds is all across the board kind of like polishing and paint correction.
 
rdorman said:
For serious metal polishing use the proper buffs and compounds. Caswell's site has a forum dedicated to metal polishing and there is a wealth of information there. I have a bench polisher, wheels that fits on a drill and even some for the dremel. Type of buffs and compounds is all across the board kind of like polishing and paint correction.
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Agreed!





Get some good polishing wheels like these.



142.2.jpg






I've never had to do a lot of crazy metal polishing, but with a little effort I took these pillars from this.



IMG_1141.jpg






To this by sanding and then polishing with M105. I'm sure I could have gotten them even better with the proper tools.



IMG_1182.jpg
 
The only time I have done sanding was to level the surface. There are greaseless compounds that come in all sorts of grits right down to 80! Effective and fast for removing material. Like paint, you work your way back up the compounds to the polish/rouge/compounds. Say for chrome you could use white rouge with a spiral sewn buff and even follow up with blue rouge loose cotton wheel. This is messy work but it will shine like nothing you have ever seen. Think of it as just REALLY hard paint!



For quick cleanups, I generally use mothers. May be some better ones out there I just have never seen a real need to try. Flitz, MAAS and some of the other products mentioned in here I am sure work fine.



Use some form of protectant or wax after. Zoopseal reportedly works well.
 
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