polished aluminum

[bickel76]

some of you might think i'm crazy, but i am polishing the top of my skidplate. too much of it shows and it spoils the look when everything else is shined up. does anyone know if you can get clearcoat to stick on something that is polished? i dont particularly want to keep polishing this thing. it's a bitch. especially since it didnt have a decent finish on it to begin with.

 

[xj4m3]

i do paint/body and im not sure if itd stick to something thats polished. Seems like it wouldnt since its such a smooth surface but since clear builds and produces the shine you may be ok with just polishing it, scuffing it with say a scotchbrite/light steel wool, cleaning it and then clearing over. Automotive basecoats are a dull finish and the clear makes the shine. If you have a scrap piece of alum. laying around try doing that, let it dry good and scratch around on it with something to see how it sticks.

 

[bickel76]

once i get a good finish on it and i'm not able to clear it, maybe just some light rubbing every now and then will keep the shine. it's only 5 bolts so it isnt a hassle taking it off. i just dont want to rub and rub on it all the time. the finish on it right now is so bad that i've had to start with 2000 wet/dry, then steel wool and now i'm on polishing compound. it's a lot more work than expected, but hopefully it will be worth it.

 

[boxhead]

Once polished, coat it with urethane or epoxy like people do to make bars with the cards in the top of the table.

 

[bickel76]

ahhh, good idea. i'll give that a try.