Album Index for Album 0032: Polished Ashtray Cover

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Size Caption

107384
Here's the scrap piece of aluminum I got from the salvage yard. Cost was a buck I think.

134265
Here's the hard way to polish it! It takes a long time this way, but it is possible!

114346
Here's after some hand work with 320 grit. Those original machine marks and pits are DEEP!

152542
Here's the better way! This is 120 grit. It only takes a minute or so for each grit. 120, 220, 320, 400, 600, 1000, 2000. For the 2000 I wet the aluminum and it keeps cutting. Be careful not to wet the sander pad and BE CAREFUL since you are using house voltage!

137895
Once you have the 2000 grit done, there are several options. You can use rouge on the buffing wheel or just simichrome to get a final shine. I've found a new favorite final polish for aluminum in a product called Aluma-1. See my heat shield as well! (Aluma-1 is kind of hard to find...my local non-chain auto refinish shop had it, but search the net for other sources).

93122
Here's the finished plate! The only drawback is that when the sun is in a certain position you need to drive with your hand over it!

Size	Caption
107384	Here's the scrap piece of aluminum I got from the salvage yard. Cost was a buck I think.
134265	Here's the hard way to polish it! It takes a long time this way, but it is possible!
114346	Here's after some hand work with 320 grit. Those original machine marks and pits are DEEP!
152542	Here's the better way! This is 120 grit. It only takes a minute or so for each grit. 120, 220, 320, 400, 600, 1000, 2000. For the 2000 I wet the aluminum and it keeps cutting. Be careful not to wet the sander pad and BE CAREFUL since you are using house voltage!
137895	Once you have the 2000 grit done, there are several options. You can use rouge on the buffing wheel or just simichrome to get a final shine. I've found a new favorite final polish for aluminum in a product called Aluma-1. See my heat shield as well! (Aluma-1 is kind of hard to find...my local non-chain auto refinish shop had it, but search the net for other sources).
93122	Here's the finished plate! The only drawback is that when the sun is in a certain position you need to drive with your hand over it!