Billet scratches

[Greyhairracer]

All,
Hope I'm not asking a duplicative question - searched around trying to locate an answer before posting......

Question: minor scratches in billet - how can you remove them? Have some minor scratches on my triple trees and it's bugging the crap out of me, especially in the sunlight. Any ideas or comments would be appreciated!!! By the way, I've tried Mothers and Semichrome - make them shiny as hell but the scratches are still evident.

Thanks!!!

 

[HMAN]

The best way is to use rouge and a good cloth wheel. Messy? Yes. Easier to do with the trees off? Yes. We polish parts at work a lot. The cloth wheels are the only way to polish billet IMO.

 

[DRBarnhart]

I use Micro-Mesh. I've even used it to take out "road rash"! You'd never even know it was there when you've finished. Here's a kit for metal (scroll down)...

http://www.sisweb.com/micromesh/craftsman_kits.htm#metal

But I use the kit designed for acrylic. It has several grades of paper that are finer than the metal kit has. You just start with the minimum grade needed to take out the scratch then work progressively to a finer grade. It's not really that much work with aluminum and well worth the results!

Then, after you get it looking good, do the final polish with a cloth wheel like Hman suggests.

Dennis

 

[Greyhairracer]

Thanks guys - appreciate the feedback!!

 

[K9Anniv]

If you're just talking "minor" or hairline scratches, I'd explore every hand-polish option before applying various sandpaper grits, etc, to your aluminum...unless you really know what you're doing with that stuff (and I don't!:bang.

I'd start with several applications of Mother's Billet Aluminum polish first and see how it looks....:zz2cents:

 

[kmalysa]

All,
Hope I'm not asking a duplicative question - searched around trying to locate an answer before posting......

Question: minor scratches in billet - how can you remove them? Have some minor scratches on my triple trees and it's bugging the crap out of me, especially in the sunlight. Any ideas or comments would be appreciated!!! By the way, I've tried Mothers and Semichrome - make them shiny as hell but the scratches are still evident.

Thanks!!!

I have the same problem... I am terrified of trying to sand them (never tried that)...I researched and found this link, looks like the guy knows what he's doing. I am going to try this this winter, and remove the wheels...
How toolish Aluminum Wheels | Chevrolet S-10 Forum - The Largest Chevy S-Series enthusiast site : s10forum.com

 

[BigDogBro1]

This information comes from http://www.drivelinesinc.com/billet_plus.htm

Important note: Never polish billet or any soft metal with micro fiber towels – they will scratch the metal surface. Cross weave and course materials (T shirts, diapers and bath towels) are not suitable for use on billet, as they will also leave scratches. To properly care for billet equipment, use ONLY COTTON FLEECE (sweat shirt material) and no other cloth.

 

[K9Anniv]

This information comes from Drivelines Incorporated

Important note: Never polish billet or any soft metal with micro fiber towels – they will scratch the metal surface. Cross weave and course materials (T shirts, diapers and bath towels) are not suitable for use on billet, as they will also leave scratches. To properly care for billet equipment, use ONLY COTTON FLEECE (sweat shirt material) and no other cloth.

Totally agree! :iagree:
I've also had good luck on my billet & chrome with the 100% cotton detail cloths sold 6 in a pack from Wal-Mart's automotive section.

 

[erldawg]

This information comes from Drivelines Incorporated

Important note: Never polish billet or any soft metal with micro fiber towels – they will scratch the metal surface. Cross weave and course materials (T shirts, diapers and bath towels) are not suitable for use on billet, as they will also leave scratches. To properly care for billet equipment, use ONLY COTTON FLEECE (sweat shirt material) and no other cloth.

Totally agree! :iagree:
I've also had good luck on my billet & chrome with the 100% cotton detail cloths sold 6 in a pack from Wal-Mart's automotive section.

Yes the key is soft cloths you'll be amazed at the difference...:2thumbs:

 

[aspen874]

I'm hijacking the thread, Earldog is that Hot Flash billet polish really better than Mothers

 

[DRBarnhart]

If you're just talking "minor" or hairline scratches, I'd explore every hand-polish option before applying various sandpaper grits, etc, to your aluminum...unless you really know what you're doing with that stuff (and I don't!:bang.

You'd be amazed at how fine 6000 grit sandpaper is! Although it's not rocket science in the first place, the kits I mentioned have directions included. It's no tougher than polishing.

I'd start with several applications of Mother's Billet Aluminum polish first and see how it looks....:zz2cents:

I agree with you but keep in mind that polish is designed to only remove a very thin layer of oxidation without harming the metal. So, if you've already gone the polish route and the scratches are still there it's time to do something that will get rid of them.

Dennis

PS You can always practive on another piece of aluminum before diving in to the real thing... :up:

 

[Little-Boo]

CHROME is what I did

Carlos

 

[Ray]

This information comes from Drivelines Incorporated

Important note: Never polish billet or any soft metal with micro fiber towels – they will scratch the metal surface. Cross weave and course materials (T shirts, diapers and bath towels) are not suitable for use on billet, as they will also leave scratches. To properly care for billet equipment, use ONLY COTTON FLEECE (sweat shirt material) and no other cloth.

You can hear an Amen to that Brother! I use"Weimans" silver polish on my billet after I cleaned it up with mother's billet and always a cotton cloth. On the triple tree it shines like a mirror and the sun will blind you when it hits that certain spot it the sky, but if you wants to shine try Weimans silver polish, Walmart sells it for $3.50 a little tub .

Ray :2thumbs:

 

[K9Anniv]

....if you want to shine, try Weimans silver polish. Walmart sells it for $3.50 a little tub. Ray :2thumbs:

I checked yesterday and all the Wal Mart near me carries is Weimans Silver 'Cream' in a screw lid jar.
I assume it's the same stuff?? Only $3.68/jar.

 

[RRRUFF]

I dropped my left side horn, turn, hi/lo beam cover on the concrete floor and had a pretty bad scuff on it. I had some headlight lens restore and said what the heck. Started out with some 2000 grit paper, then stepped it down with headlight stuff just as the directions said and polished it up like a mirror. In fact the left side looked so good it made the right side look bad. So I did it also. Not the right stuff but worked great. Also amen on the cotton fleece/inside of a sweat shirt BigDogBro1.:2thumbs:

 

[K9Anniv]

I checked yesterday and all the Wal Mart near me carries is Weimans Silver 'Cream' in a screw lid jar.
I assume it's the same stuff?? Only $3.68/jar.

Bought it...tried it...don't like it!

It left my billet "cloudy" and was difficult to polish out.

I had to go back over with a fresh cloth and Mother's Billet Polish a couple times to bring the shine back..

Thanks, but I'm gonna stick with Mother's Billet Polish on my bike's aluminum and leave the silver polish for the knives, forks & spoons..

 

[Maxim_es]

I have also tried Weiman's Silver polish and cream. Two different products. One comes in a can like Mother's billet, and the other in a bottle. Both didn't do much for it, like K9Anniv is saying. Might be applying it incorrectly, but didn't remove the scratches and almost made it worse. Just my experience with it.