RE: [VAC] Plasticote/Polish/Buff

[wescott50@xxxxxxxxx (Bill Scott)]

Bix worked best for me.  You spray or brush it on, wait 15 or 20 min
then hose it off with water.  Let it do the work of melting the
plasticote.

When choosing the proper tool to apply the polish, abrade the oxidation,
and finally to buff to a mirror, the choice is yours and your bank
account.  I started with an inexpensive Wen polisher, with a 7 inch pad.
You can buy these at any auto store, or hardware store.  They run about
$59.  They are variable speed, which is necessary, because you should
apply the polish at a slow rpm and gradually increase the speed to help
remove all the black residue.  For an orbital or axial buffer, the top
rpm should be no more than 3600, otherwise, you may burn, or scorch the
aluminum.  The pad holder on the Wen is inadequate, so I moved up to a
heavy duty Milwaukee 7 inch pad polisher.  It has a variable speed dial
and the pad holder is easy to remove to change or clean pads.  It runs
from $150 to $190.  Others rave about the Makita, and DeWalt, and Porter
Cable.  Again your choice.  For a swirl free unit, the dual pad Cyclo
seems to be good, but heavy, and expensive.  Top on the lists are the
pneumatic Drum roller buffers and polishers.  Very, very expensive, and
require 90+ psi and lots of CFM ,  These pneumatic drum roller buffers
are about $1100 and up, plus the pads are expensive, and you need
moisture free air, and an oiler mechanism.  These are not designed for
the garage craftsman air compressor.  Get a Wen, then experiment. with
it, until you are  black all over and have made a real mess.  If you can
rent a good polisher, cheaply enough, then try that.  So, we have
covered, orbital, axial, dual pad , and drum.  There is one other option
, that is less costly and no swirl marks, and that is ,......by hand.
One guy hired some boy scouts, and did it by hand.  Not easy, but then
neither was getting to the moon.  You can also use the video from the
VAC.  You must be a member, and the video is just to use and return.  I
think you just pay postage.  Bud Cooper started all this about 6 years
ago, and it has grown since then.  Forget about Acid, and comet cleanser
and Cameo powder, and Met-Al with flour, and please don't use oven
cleaner.  Remember this, Polishing,..........is Abrasion, it is making
scratches, but the scratches have to be very fine, and get finer.  Try
the Rolite, or go to your nearest large Truck Stop,  and buy some
Aluminum polish , in liquid or bars (like rouge) then experiment on a
small out of the way piece, until you feel comfortable.  Once you shop
around, you will find over a dozen aluminum polishes that do a fairly
good job.  The aircraft polishes like Rolite seem to be the best.
Good luck, and one final thing.  The temperature and humidity must be in
a certain range.  Over 60 degrees, and not sticky or raining.  Ideal
would be 70 degrees and sunny with a slight breeze.
Now go get Dirty.  Wear a respirator, and eye protection.

Bill Scott
61 Bambi
66 Tradewind LY