Scratched aluminium

Troy · 10-29-07, 11:42 PM

Does anyone have any ideas for sort of renewing aluminium that has surface scratching?

Car was someone else's project and has been scratched a fair bit during development.

Ricky · 10-30-07, 12:20 AM

If fitting carpet etc internally is it an issue ?

For other panels that will be seen ie engine bay and under front clip, use some 180 or 220# sandpaper and sand in a uniform direction to create a brushed look. if the scratches are deep you may need to start with a more coarse paper first. Scotch brite may also work.

When sanded wipe with CRC or WD40. looks really good and seems to last well.

Troy · 10-30-07, 12:36 AM

Thanks, I'll give it a go.

I'm back in the country for a while now, if you're in the area, you're more than welcome to come see the car if you like.

Brian · 10-30-07, 07:17 AM

Troy, having messed with this a bit, I'd advise one of two things. Either scotchbright in one direction, finished with the WD-40 buff, or for a little more gloss (if that's what you may be interested in) Nuvite polish. This is mill finished and scratched up aluminum that looked comparable to your pic after having a go with Nuvite. This car will have no carpets, and as always, experiment first to test for suitability.

Brian

Big-Foot · 10-30-07, 08:30 AM

Holy smokes Brian - That's beautiful!!! I'd like to do that with my entire chassis!

I've sanded (with water) aluminum panels with grits ranging from 240 all the way to 1000, then buffed and they come out looking like mirrors. The problem was maintaining that look. Some folks say Zoop Seal is the stuff - Others opt for a Clear Powder Coat or a clear enamel. I would think that either the PC or Paint would slightly dull the finish.
Another thing to take into consideration is the alloy and hardness. The harder is is, the more likely it will be to retain a shine - but it will be more difficult to bring it to that shine as well..

Dave S · 10-30-07, 08:32 AM

Mate
That Polished interior is well simply awesome. Very very nicely done.

Peter D · 10-30-07, 08:55 AM

Brian, that looks just brilliant ! I envy you in being able to contort yourself enough to get into all those nasty places down the footwells !

Once aly is polished up to your satisfaction, I have found that a 2-pack product called Glisten (from the POR-15 people) is just magic. It can be brushed on & is so good at self-levelling that you can not pick it from a sprayed finish. Talk about tough - I did a test piece & after 1 week, replicated the demo I saw at the dealer's shop - whacked it with a ball-peen hammer. Absolutely no cracking or peeling - it just stayed there, following the hammer dents ! It also withstands heat really well - I have seen pics of a cam cover on an Alpha which looks as good as new after 10,000kms.

Just be sure to use their recommended surface cleaner first, then I am sure that you will not be disappointed.

Nice work !

Kind Regards,

Peter D.

Doc Watson · 10-30-07, 06:57 PM

I'm in the process of polishing my turkey pan base after jigsaws and files scratched the surface. Started with 400 grit paper, then 800 finished with 1200 and am now finishing it with 'Brasso' a metal polish cream. Hard work but its got all the scratches out and is comming up mirror finish. Also use a buffing wheel, as even doing this small piece by hand has been a labour of love.....

Aluminium will oxidise with the air quickly so to maintain the finish you can paint the metal as posted earlier. I'm going to let mine oxidise slowly as the aluminium oxide acts as a barrier to prevent any further oxidation.

Andy