Bottlehead Forum

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: John Roman on April 28, 2011, 07:13:14 AM

Title: topplate finishing
Post by: John Roman on April 28, 2011, 07:13:14 AM

Whats the trick to getting a mirror finish on those aluminum top plates. I've wet sanded down to 1500, I can still see some grain. Probably needs to be polished out with some kind of wheel?
John

Title: Re: topplate finishing
Post by: coca on April 28, 2011, 02:39:05 PM

I usually sand the top plate down as you have done, till the brush marks are out, then use brilo soap pads wth lots of water to bring the shine up, then spray with a clear. Thats version #1

Version #2: Perform version #1 without the clear, then have it chrome plated. This is my prefered version of #1 and#2

Version #3: Perform version #1 without the clear,  then have it copper plated.

Bernie.

Title: Re: topplate finishing
Post by: John Roman on April 28, 2011, 02:54:11 PM

Copper plating sounds pretty cool, except I doubt I'm patient enough.
John

Title: Re: topplate finishing
Post by: rock4016 on April 29, 2011, 05:54:53 AM

I think this stuff has been used to get the mirror finish without without using chrome.
http://www.autogeek.net/motmagalpol.html

Here's the original thread that I was thinking about.
http://tinyurl.com/3f4nrcm

Title: Re: topplate finishing
Post by: John Roman on April 29, 2011, 06:12:08 AM

Thanks Rock,
I'll give the Mothers polish a try. I use a lot of their stuff on my car anyway.
john

Title: Re: topplate finishing
Post by: dbishopbliss on April 29, 2011, 06:26:40 AM

Here's a link to Wardsweb Paramour page where he talks about polishing the top plates and end bells, etc.

http://www.wardsweb.org/audio/paramours/prep/prep.html

Title: Re: topplate finishing
Post by: John Roman on April 30, 2011, 03:31:54 PM

The Mother's polish worked great! Thanks.
John

Title: Re: topplate finishing
Post by: Jim R. on May 02, 2011, 02:43:31 PM

What would people recommend if I just wanted to brighten up the stock aluminum plate and preserve the grain, before clear coating?  Just would like to remove any old oxidation, fingerprints, etc.

Thanks,

Jim

Title: Re: topplate finishing
Post by: 2wo on May 02, 2011, 03:21:39 PM

The "Mother's polish" listed above works well. there is another simacrome or something like that. Just go to your local motorcycle or hot rod shop...John 

Title: Re: topplate finishing
Post by: Jim R. on May 04, 2011, 04:06:25 AM

Thanks, John.  Not too many hotrod shops around here, but I have to order some other stuff from caswell, and they carry Mother's or similar things.

-- Jim