Old Aluminum off '46 Kitt

[SATEAR]

I read in a post about sanding aluminum to bring back the shine with 600 grit sandpaper. Anyone familiar with this method?

I want to reuse the old aluminum and want to restore it to factory shine. What treatment do I need to use after it is sanded?

Thanks,

[Ageless]

Well . .1946 was a few years before I was born; so I don't know about factory 'shine'. Most likely it was a 'mill' finish. At work, we used a jitterbug sander with 320 grit followed by Scotchbrite to get a pleasing finish. There were times that we needed to get a smoother finish and we used a buffing wheel with aluminum polish. This will not get rid of every tiny scratch, but from 10 feet; looks pretty.

A few times (presentation pieces) we used jewelers rouge to get a real mirror finish. i don't think that is what you want as aluminum does corrode in weather to a duller finish.

[SATEAR]

That's exactly what I was looking for. Wasn't sure if the sanding would scratch it up. I'll use the 420 grit and polish it down.

I am also going to use 24" x 25' flashing for the sides. I don't think they will need polishing.

Thanks,

[tinksdad]

That's exactly what I was looking for. Wasn't sure if the sanding would scratch it up. I'll use the 420 grit and polish it down.

I am also going to use 24" x 25' flashing for the sides. I don't think they will need polishing.

Thanks,

Curiosity makes me ask..... what plans do you have for sealing the seams where the flashing meets or overlaps?

[SATEAR]

I was emailing a person who did his tear with flashing and he used the Henry's Roof Asphalt between the pieces of flashing. I will just be using 2 pieces on each side and the top one will overlap the bottom one. Hopefully, I won't get any moisture into the wood. I will be reusing the aluminum that was on the top for the roof as it is still in pretty good shape. The hatch aluminum will be replaced with flashing also.

Any other suggestions?

[kennyrayandersen]

Everything puts scratches – it’s just how fine the scratches are. 420 grit, will put some serious swirls in there and even 600 grit. 1000-1500 will give you a fine matt finish, and if you want it shinny, you’ll have to got to some type of rubbing compound.

There was a tutorial about polishing – search around a bit and you’ll turn it up (there was a link to Kirkham motorsports, who makes aluminum-bodies 427 Cobras where they give the low down on their process). I think if you do a search on airstream and polishing you’ll also come up with some good tips. It’s a beautiful finish, but like everything worthwhile, comes with a price.