Polishing the Aluminum Falcon

[Darkspeed]

Wanted to add this detail about the adapter...

The adapter is from a 5/8" 11tpi female to a 1/2" male- assuming you ordered discs with a 1/2" hole..

http://www.caswellplating.com/buffs/grinderadapter.html

.

[Darkspeed]

Remember to run the new disk on the rake for a moment to fray the outside edge before adding compound from the black bar. The first time you polish with a new disk they won't do much for the first few min. They need to break in to accept compound.

[Keyair]

Originally Posted by Darkspeed

Remember to run the new disk on the rake for a moment to fray the outside edge before adding compound from the black bar. The first time you polish with a new disk they won't do much for the first few min. They need to break in to accept compound.

I agree with that statement!

Darkspeed, do you use a different pad for the white bar?
The vented ones are quite stiff, and I wondered if using a softer pad would help...

[ALANSD]

That looks great, I have been struggling with getting off the corrosion and small scratches. Got some off with Nuvite, but not enough. I will give the lack bars a shot though. Great tip.

[Darkspeed]

Originally Posted by Keyair

I agree with that statement!

Darkspeed, do you use a different pad for the white bar?
The vented ones are quite stiff, and I wondered if using a softer pad would help...

I did use a fresh vented disc with the white bar.

The cotton discs I have did not seem to work as well as the vented.

I may try some nuvite s with a random to finish it off once i stop working on the outside.

I have repolish with white from all the cords,sanding dust, tree sap, degreaser,etc... that i have managed to get on her while working.

[Darkspeed]

Another thing that may help when polishing out scratches is to know what part of the wheel is doing the most cutting... Its the first 3/4" where the wheel meets the aluminum..

[LI Pets]

You said you bought
3 3lb black Emory bars
2 3lb white fine bars

Did you use all of that?
You didn't use any brown?

Also for a final pass with the white was the buffing wheel leaving any scratches, the reason I ask is the cotton is recommended by some.

[Darkspeed]

Originally Posted by LI Pets

You said you bought
3 3lb black Emory bars
2 3lb white fine bars

Did you use all of that?
You didn't use any brown?

Also for a final pass with the white was the buffing wheel leaving any scratches, the reason I ask is the cotton is recommended by some.

Yes used it all..

After the white you could not see any scratches dead on, but if you looked at an angle in the sun you could see a faint pattern. From there you would need a random orbital to get rid of it.

[jgerardi]

I now have a good idea of how much work it would take to strip clear coat and then polish my 2010 23 foot international. What I am curious about is what it means for the future. Do you need to store it differently? Does it require a complete re polish once or twice a year or is maintenance a more simple process? I guess I want to know what I'm getting myself into, not just this year but down the road.

[ALANSD]

If it isn't stored inside it will need frequent maintenance to keep up the shine. If it is stored inside it will need less frequent maintenance, but still will fade if not kept up. The shine lasts longer than you might expect, but will eventually return to its former state.

[alfalsetto]

Some thing with the punp-truck I work on, We had to keep up the shne all the time.

[rumrunner]

sorry to jump on the thread this late but I am about to place my caswell order and need to know- how many wheels should I need? do they wear quickly and need replacment often?
22' flying cloud, planning on black rouge/sewn spiral, brown rouge/sewn spiral and white rouge/loose cotton for now
thanks
tim

[LI Pets]

2 yellow treated airwaywheels, 1 white

No sewn spirals

get a rake also

[rumrunner]

so I shouldnt need extras for replacements?
tim

[LI Pets]

You can get 4 air wheels, the 10" R only $10

[rumrunner]

thanks for the info- big help!