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53flyingcloud · 09-18-2003, 02:51 PM

KEEP EVERYTHING CLEAN~!~

I wore rubber gloves, cleaned everything..
(except for the wool bonnet...lol)

Prep the skin, so as to make this job easier for yourself..
Here's how..
50/50 water and vinegar, wipe it down first to clean the surface dirt off..then apply the vinegar/water to the surface...Move it around numerous times till it starts to break down the oxidized metal surface..
Afterwards, use a water saturated clothe to stop the actions of vinegar. Wipe it clean/dry with a soft cloth..

53flyingcloud · 09-18-2003, 02:55 PM

Use the drill with a wool bonnet and, start the job using G6..Trust me, this is the way to go..Here's what it looks like after just using G6..
This a very CLOSE-UP picture..It's not cloudy at all..I just wanted for you to see that, there are no discoloration or water marks~!!

btw..Do you see any swirl MARKS?? I don't think so...

garry · 09-18-2003, 02:59 PM

Done with the major stripping. Will have to touch up a few areas around the windows and logo. I'm surprised how good it looks where the clear coat was in good shape. Tried just plain polishing by hand on some of the oxidized area with good results I think compounding will fix most of that but where it has discolored no help ( kind of copper looking).
My son should be bringing his digital camara and if I figure out how will post pics.
Your pictures are a great inspration for anyone considering polishing. Hope mine comes out as good.

Garry

53flyingcloud · 09-18-2003, 03:00 PM

Now here's a view of that same panel close up but, just off to the right of the last photo...This shows it as it was before~

These can be very difficult to remove..G6 will do it nicely and, with almost no swirl marks..~

53flyingcloud · 09-18-2003, 03:04 PM

Who says a 1/4 pounder wouldn't go a long way?? That's all I've used so far on this ENTIRE job.. Of course, I'm not finis YET..

Okay, I had a tiny bit left, decided to used it on the bumper..lol

53flyingcloud · 09-18-2003, 03:06 PM

This a view of the door and the panel to its right that I've just finished..

53flyingcloud · 09-18-2003, 03:11 PM

Just before doing the final polish step using "S"...I wiped everything down with mineral spiritsl`!!

What looked and felt clean, was, in fact..filthy with polish residue.
This was after my best efforts to keep it clean..The dirty rag shows it all. This was after one wipe of the larger panel and, the door.

53flyingcloud · 09-18-2003, 03:16 PM

This is another photo shot, to bring all back into perspective..

That's my neighbor, George, who hails from the great state of TX..

53flyingcloud · 09-18-2003, 03:22 PM

I look forward to seeing your photos as well...Keep up the good work..

It can be done...Using the proper tools and, method...

Just to let you know..I've 'never' done anything like this before..
I figure if I can do it, anyone can!~

ciao

Safari Tim · 09-18-2003, 03:35 PM

Great work! I like it.

Wish I could spend more time doing mine instead of being at this lousy office all day

Actually my arms probably only work for a few hours anyway

How many hours are you at now?

53flyingcloud · 09-18-2003, 04:39 PM

Safari Tim...

Your unit is looking very nice as well..To be honest, I can't wait to see a shot of it by a mtn stream...lol

You asked..

Quote:

How many hours are you at now?

To be perfectly honest, I don't know.
Let’s see, I started around the 9th of Sept. I spend, maybe 4 hours, spread over a two day period just getting the feel of it. That would bring us up to the 11th till today, the 18th. I'd say 2 to 4 hours each day. (I do work for a living.)
I'd say no more than 25 hours tops, to arrive at this point of the polish project.

I blame that on the learning curve..

ciao

Safari Tim · 09-18-2003, 06:57 PM

53FlyingCloud-- Looking good as usual. You have a lot done in just 25 hours!

Garry--Lets see some pictures!!

As of tonight I have 11 hours. But I have learned a lot in that time. I found that I was trying too hard. Going over and over with the compounder and F7 to even out the shine.

Well it still was not even and I broke out the cyclo today. Wow cleaned it up real nice. I think things will go so much smoother now.

I also found the the cyclo is one heavy machine! I am more sore after 2 hours of cycloing than I was with any of the compounding.

Here is a compounded w/F7 panel.

Safari Tim · 09-18-2003, 06:59 PM

Here is after cycloing with F7 then S. Then with a clean cloth.

Safari Tim · 09-18-2003, 07:07 PM

OK, here is the technique that works for me.

1. Clean clearcoat with Bix Stripper from Home Depot
2. Compound using 1/2" drill and 3M wool compounding pad
3. Compound with Nuvite F7, move it slowly about 1 inch/second
4. Cyclo with F7 using sweatshirt material method keep moving the pad until all the black stuff is gone.
5. Clean with mineral spirits and clean cloth
6. Cyclo with S and CLEAN spot on the sweatshirt material keep moving the pad until all the black stuff is gone.
7. Cyclo with clean sweatshirt material
8. Have a Pepsi and relax ( I don't drink beer

)

Tip:
Have two buckets with lids. Put dirty rags in one bucket with a cap of simple green and half filled with water. Soak overnight

Have a clean bucket with clean water. Take rags from first bucket rinse in second and hang dry.

Start again with a new set of rags so you always have clean rags and soaking rags..

Keep a jar of G6 handy for those tough spots.

53flyingcloud · 09-18-2003, 09:08 PM

Safari Tim

Very Nice~!
That last picture shows up just like a mirror~!!

Hint:
Next International Rally, let's park side by side and "roast" hot dogs between the two trailers using the solar effects from the reflection off the two units...lmao..

One thing to remember..
Before taking a long trip, don't forget to get your "road hazzard ahead" sign to post on the rear of your unit. Sun reflection can be blinding~!~ lol

Keep up the excellent efforts.~
ciao

franklyb · 09-19-2003, 03:04 AM

The photographs of your polished AS are wonderful. Thank you for sharing- but now I have questions.
What is G6? What is F7? What is S? Is a Cyclo a specific polishing tool, or can I use a drill motor and accomplish the same thing? Not only do I need to know what these things are, but I need to know where to get them.
Thank you for your help.
Barbara

53flyingcloud · 09-19-2003, 04:26 AM

Greeting Barbara

Those numbers refer to the different grades of polishing compound. The G6 is more coarse in nature and, perfect for the starting process. If the skin conditions on your A/S warrant that level of cleaning.
The other level decends to a finer level of 'polishing action' as may be required.
For example, after using G6 to get down to "bare, clean surface", you might want to try F7 or C, as they're called.
Basically, the last two are the same with a slight different in that, F7 starts out abit coarse but as you use it, the process will bring it close to the action level as C.
If that makes sense, then you're ready to begin polishing..
For the last step in polishing, to get the perfect polish on your unit, you'd use what's called S.
More details are available at:
Perfect Polish

In closing, the major part of your efforts would require a drill of sorts..The 1/2 drill is a better choice for your work as it will stand up to the workload, plus, it matches up with the bit that comes with the polish wool pads, etc.
In any event, the Cyclo polisher is worth it's weight for the results that you'll get in the end which, is mirror finis.
I hope this info is helpful for you and, I'll be happy to respond to any other questions that you may have..If I can't, then..I'm sure someone else on here will..
Good luck

ciao

53flyingcloud · 09-19-2003, 03:16 PM

Thanks to "Isabel"

Will be looking at it in the morning..
WX should be clearing up.

(Still awaiting the arrival of additional polishing compound)

ciao

garry · 09-19-2003, 04:11 PM

Spent my day on the tractor no time for the fun stuff.

Will be back on the AS tomorrow my son is bringing the Harbor Freight polisher from Memphis tonight so I can start the compounding process in the AM hope he brings the digital camara as well.
Lucked out the $59 polisher was on sale for $29. Must be a heavy duty polisher pulls 11 amps !!
I did put together my scafold today so I did get something useful done

Garry

53flyingcloud · 09-19-2003, 06:18 PM

garry

Just remember, it's all in the touch...lol
You will soon be seeing yourself`!

Wished I had the scafold sys. here as, it sure would make it easier to reach those upper panels..All I have is the ladder that folds into 18 positions..lol(better then nothing)
Looking forward to seeing some of your pictures..
ciao