Making things shiney

[MaximX]

I have an urge to get something that will polish metal.  I have aluminum rims that could use a nice touch up, I want them to be like a mirror.  I looked up some Eastwood products, (here is the wheel kit they offer,..upon closer look it seems I need more that a drill for this kit...) I am even tempted to get the starter 1hp kit, but I really do not think I would use it enough to warrant getting it....the flip side to that is if I could polish enough metal to pay for it....would make it worth doing.

http://www.eastwood.com/ew-wheel-buffing-kit.html
Meguiars,
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Meguiars-G3400-Brilliant-Solutions-Wheel-Polishing-Kit-/140731898024?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item20c44658a8

Anybody here have experience in metal polishing?  Which one would you choose?  It looks like both would make use of an electric drill which I have.    Thanks.

[fast1]

    I have in fact done a lot of metal polishing. You want something stationary and solid. the more power the better. Princess auto sells most of what you need. A bench grinder works well. Simply remove a grinding wheel and install a pair of 6 inch buffing wheels. For best results have a separate set of wheels for each grit of polishing compound you use. You also want to have separate wheels for steel and aluminum. Compounds from coarsest to finest are: black, brown, green, white and jewelers rouge. I go down to 320 git sandpaper then use the brown green and white, skipping the first and last. This is very messy and dirty. Coveralls faceshield and at least a dust mask, better a respirator.  It is tedious and time consuming. Most people don't do it for this reason. They are also too cheap to pay for it. You can do it with smaller equipment but it takes longer. CHEERS.

[fj1200]

You can get all you need at P/A.  After that it takes time and patience. Jeff has done lots of this as I suspect has Russel.

[Dennis]

I have done the manual route with great success.  I start with 400 or less grit emery cloth and wet sand.  Then I successively go 800, 1200, 1500 and finish with 2000 grit.  I then finish with  Solvo Autosol.  I have made aluminum side covers look almost like chrome.  It is VERY time consuming as each set on each part can easily take an hour.  I usually do this on a weekend evening when I can slurp a few beers and listen to a favourite radio show.

Peace & Polish, Dennis

[MaximX]

Thanks for the input, I am looking toward the path of least resistance....something that would involve some sort of power tool.....

[british bulldog]

                    Mike i have buffing equipment give me a call  (250) 962-1889 i am still up.

                                     British Bulldog

[MaximX]

Well I finally saw the Meguiars Wheel polishing kit on sale at Can Tire.  I am happy with the results and ease of use...$25. well spent.  Thanks to those of you who offered to help, rims are a bit bulky and not easy to access with buffer wheels and this cone did do a pretty good job.

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[fj1200]

That one looks better than the "Mothers". I found that the red ball broke up to easily when used on things with an edge.

[PeggySue]

I've been using the mother's 'Christmas tree', a cone-shaped polisher, and having good results. The trick with it was to use a 'corded' drill, my cordless was too heavy, lacked torque, and needed recharging too regularly. Looks like you've gotten a really nice shine on those rims, good job!

"Oooo, shiny!"

Peg