Polishing hosts!

[Wmacky]

So, how are the builders here polishing their hosts? I see some decent prices on bench buffers at harbor freight.

They have a 8" on sale for just $60, and a 6" for $40. Thoughts? At these prices I'm tempted to pick one up for the laser tool shop collection!:wave:

 

[ChaosLord]

I've used my dremel with the wire brush to polish copper heatsinks, but haven't tried polishing a full host yet. I know some here have used the same method on hosts.

 

[IWIRE]

I used some 600 grit wet/dry sandpaper, then switched to buffing wheels in a electric drill using black oxide, brown Tripoli, jewelers polish and wound up with this.

 

[sinner]

Easiest way to learn polishing is with the hands-on approach. You may find hundereds of techniques that works but the problem with just about every tutorial/video is how it works for a certain person for a certain application. Polishing hosts, not really a big deal but doing it right is only when you get down to it, have your technique all set up and it only needs to be once.

That said, David (IWIRE) has a very nice technique shared with you go ahead and try it, its not that you need very specific numbers or set of components to accomplish polishing but find whatever works for you in a more convenient fashion.

 

[Livinloud]

Polishing is only as good as the clear anodizing you protect it with, otherwise you will always be polishing to keep the shine up

 

[IWIRE]

Polishing is only as good as the clear anodizing you protect it with, otherwise you will always be polishing to keep the shine up

Actually that's not true. While true if you don't apply a protective coating you will be polishing all the time. But if you apply clear over a crap polishing job it will just always look like crap.

 

[Livinloud]

If you clear over a turd then you are just an idiot (obviously directed at no one). Thought it was given that a solid base was needed first but maybe not.

 

[IWIRE]

Yep, and if you have a really nicely polished turd and screwup the clearcoat. Now you have a crappy looking polished turd. The goal is to have a perfectly polished turd with perfectly applied clear protectant.
Basically, just keep putting finer scratches in it till you can't see the scratches anymore.

 

[sinner]

add some :barf: to the mix, you'll never need the tripoli.

 

[IWIRE]

ROFL ! Is that what Tripoli is ? I was wondering, they do resemble. I know a guy that works with copper, he actually gets a certain patena with copper by peeing on it. Wouldn't surprise me a bit.

 

[sinner]

The finer yet robust grit particles in the :barf: are no match for tripoli.. I guess the patina pee method sounds very much possible as it takes the oxidation to a whole new level.

 

[IWIRE]

I'm not sure how he explains the process to the customer. "I use a chemical I make myself" maybe ?

 

[BowtieGuy]

The pee patina method takes the "personalized" host concept to a whole new level!

 

[rhd]

Is there a way to protect polished aluminum that doesn't require anodizing?

 

[IWIRE]

The pee patina method takes the "personalized" host concept to a whole new level!

Lol ! Don't it though ! Makes me wonder how in the world he came up with that. Just leave mine polished please The funny part is these are countertops and bar tops he makes. It would be like kissing your new girlfriends hand then find out she's a proctologist.

 

[Livinloud]

I honestly dont know of a way without anodizing. I used to polish my CR125's frame and it stayed pretty polished just from the leather of my boots rubbing dirt across it all the time. Took a buffer to it occasionally but I dont think there is a good way to "protect" your polish unless you give it the Stanley Cup treatment