[VAC] Polishing notes from the front...

[Amores911@aol.com]

Hello guys,

Just finished polishing my 1957 22' Caravanner with Rolite products, and it 
looks pretty good, if I do say so myself.  The advice I got from this group 
was a real lifesaver, and it made me feel 100% more confident about doing the 
job.  Just a few observations to add to the info pile for anyone out there 
contemplating a shine:

1.  If your polisher doesn't do at least 1500 RPM (that's for cutting tough 
oxidation, then down to 1000 for softer polishing), and have a feature that 
allows you to keep the machine locked in the "on" position, you will REALLY 
be making life tougher than it needs to be.  Consider an upgrade.       

2.  Be careful with the substance you use to wipe the polish residue off 
with!  I failed to notice the very fine print on a bottle of 409 cleaner 
(which said: "not recommended for aluminum"), I used it on the skin and 
clouded it up...that set me back one full day and I had to repolish one side 
of the trailer again.  Arrgh!  Lots of good cleaners out there, but read the 
labels and don't use ammonia.

3.  Consider these new words to live by: you can NEVER have too many clean 
towels!  You need a goodly amount to wipe off black polish residue, 
especially if you want to finish quickly and are polishing big sections of 
the trailer at one time, as I did. 
    
4.  Consider a sponge buffer pad.  I used the "fuzzy" pads at first (from 
Lake Co. Mfg.) in various thicknesses, but the 3M sponge pad I purchased 
later cut better, didn't produce the annoying fuzz balls that stick all over 
you, made less of a mess, and stayed on my polisher (DeWalt model #849) much 
more securely.

And finally, if the weather is sunny...get ready for some serious involuntary 
tanning on your arms and face!

Jon Amores #2671