Polishing sheet aluminum?

[dmairspotter]

Anybody have any suggestions. I don't need a mirror shine, just a nice even finish.

[LazyGuy]

Not knowing the size, my first thought would be Semichrome. Second would be Flitz.

You can get semichrome at just about any car care place and flitz and any boat supply like We$t Marine. Both work well for aluminum.

[Rachel]

Just in case you're Internet searching, it's spelled "Simichrome." I first used it way back when, on a motorcycle. Made aluminum look practically like chrome. At the time it had that aura of some kind of little-known, imported product that was kind of hard to find, but that was pre-Internet.



http://www.competitionchemicals.com

I've since heard that one shouldn't polish aluminum, because it removes a protective oxidation layer. Does anyone know if this is true? (I read it in the context of someone polishing aluminum window frames on a camper.)

Rachel

[One Way David]

For the low down and pros/cons of alumin polishing go to the Airstream sites. Those guys take that to an art form. Something about heat and reforming the surface instead of an abrasive action. They have recommendations for polish, buffer, types of aluminum that can or can't be polished, and on and on. Polished aluminum should be clear coated or it will oxidize and dull.

http://www.airstreamtrailers.com/
http://www.spartantrailer.com/links.html

http://www.vintagetrailersupply.com/

[LazyGuy]

Just in case you're Internet searching, it's spelled "Simichrome." I first used it way back when, on a motorcycle. Made aluminum look practically like chrome. At the time it had that aura of some kind of little-known, imported product that was kind of hard to find, but that was pre-Internet.

Yup, Feel kinda dumb. "Simichrome" - Used it on my motorcycle too. It was an old Harley guy that got me started on it. Funny that I googled it and swear I never got the "Did you mean "Simichrome""

Oh well, that is the product. Good point on the Airstream they have lots of aluminum to deal with and most keep it looking like stainless.

[Quetzalsailor]

I chose not to polish the fittings I was making using architectural aluminum offcuts (scraps of doors and frames). I did not like the contrast between the anodized surfaces and those that I was creating. So, I ground off the anodizing and sanded all surfaces with a palm sander with fine paper. Gives a uniform dull grey surface which then forms its own oxide layer uniformly.