So I'm just about done with my frame and before I started, I had searched endlessly for one definitive answer on the best step-by-step method of polishing a frame and I found a million different articles, most just text (I like pics), and in many cases I found a lot of differing opinions on certain things. I've never polished a frame before and am thrilled with how it came out (much better than many I've seen) and I thought I'd write a Lil DIY for anyone here..
(On a side note, there a million ways to skin this cat, so don't be surprised if my method differs from some..)
Ok, things you'll need:
Dingy frame
Palm sander (used a cheapo black and decker)
A dremel (with sanding sponge wheels) is great to get in those tight areas (weld seams, gussets, etc.)
Easyoff oven cleaner (must be heavy duty version with yellow cap)
Lots of sandpaper! 1 package (4-5 sheets) of each of the following grits:
100, 150, 220, 320, 400, 600, 800, 1000, 1500
1 Rouge Bar (Brown Tripoli) purchase at Sears for around $6
1 Sisal polishing wheel with drill bit chuck (purchase at Sears)
1 Loose sewn cotton polishing wheel (also at Sears)
1 bottle white liquid rouge (bought mine from caswellplating.com)
Container of Mothers aluminum polishing compound
Safety Gear!!
This is a nasty process from beginning to end, make sure to protect yourself. The aluminum powder is horrible for your lungs and eyes while sanding especially. As you begin polishing, the rouge can easily get into your eyes and literally polish your eyes!!
Yellow rubber kitchen gloves while using Easyoff
Lightweight nitrile gloves for everything else. (the aluminum powder dries your hands out real bad for a few days if not protected, more annoying than anything else)
Ok, so here we go:
The specimen, my 88' GSXR Frame prior to polishing:
(On a side note, there a million ways to skin this cat, so don't be surprised if my method differs from some..)
Ok, things you'll need:
Dingy frame
Palm sander (used a cheapo black and decker)
A dremel (with sanding sponge wheels) is great to get in those tight areas (weld seams, gussets, etc.)
Easyoff oven cleaner (must be heavy duty version with yellow cap)
Lots of sandpaper! 1 package (4-5 sheets) of each of the following grits:
100, 150, 220, 320, 400, 600, 800, 1000, 1500
1 Rouge Bar (Brown Tripoli) purchase at Sears for around $6
1 Sisal polishing wheel with drill bit chuck (purchase at Sears)
1 Loose sewn cotton polishing wheel (also at Sears)
1 bottle white liquid rouge (bought mine from caswellplating.com)
Container of Mothers aluminum polishing compound
Safety Gear!!
This is a nasty process from beginning to end, make sure to protect yourself. The aluminum powder is horrible for your lungs and eyes while sanding especially. As you begin polishing, the rouge can easily get into your eyes and literally polish your eyes!!
Yellow rubber kitchen gloves while using Easyoff
Lightweight nitrile gloves for everything else. (the aluminum powder dries your hands out real bad for a few days if not protected, more annoying than anything else)
Ok, so here we go:
The specimen, my 88' GSXR Frame prior to polishing: