Polishing Aluminum

Whistling Willie · Post by **Whistling Willie** » Mon Jun 13, 2005 7:04 pm

Just wondering,what do you all use to polish your aluminum whistles?

IDAwHOa · Post by **IDAwHOa** » Mon Jun 13, 2005 7:38 pm

000 or 0000 steel wool works really well.

walrii · Post by **walrii** » Mon Jun 13, 2005 8:15 pm

In the aircraft business, one never uses steel wool on aluminum due to corrosion. That's probably not a problem on a whistle. Instead of steel wool, you can use the synthetic scrub pads - in the States they go by the name "Scotch Brite" pads and can be found from very course to very fine. Look in both household stores and home improvement or hardware stores. Steel wool and Scotch Brite pads give a brushed finish. If you want a polished finish, there are a number of aluminum polishes available. Some are sold in stores where the Brasso and other polishes are kept or you can check your local airport for aluminum polish. In a pinch, toothpaste makes a good polish for most any soft metal.

Feadin · Post by **Feadin** » Mon Jun 13, 2005 8:18 pm

Today I made some tests using jeweler's rouge. This stuff is amazing, I've got an almost mirror finish on the first try, but it's not very easy to work with, and is pretty messy also... left all the room with grey dust, and is difficult to get rid of the dust spots left on some places of the whistle... but it is worth the extra work if you like having a mirror like finish

I'm using a standard drill press with a mounted buff and some jeweler's white paste, will try using black paste, and maybe red too when I've got the time.

KDMARTINKY · Post by **KDMARTINKY** » Mon Jun 13, 2005 8:28 pm

I use a product called "Blue Magic" from Wal-mart in the automotive section. It sells for about $5.00. Unlike the other products I have used, it doesn't leave a black film and its non-toxic.

Its worked very well for me.

toughknot · Post by **toughknot** » Mon Jun 13, 2005 10:00 pm

Mothers Mag & Aluminium Polish, available in the automotive section or automotive stores. It is made for polishing aluminiun wheels. Just a dab will do ya and it cleans off really well. Use a soft cloth to apply and wipe well with a clean cloth or paper towels. I used to be a metal finisher and appreciate how messy rouge and the wheel can be, I used this instead whenever possible. $4.99 buys a small can that lasts a looooong time. Works great on brass as well.

DRC · Post by **DRC** » Tue Jun 14, 2005 12:20 pm

I get polishing pads from a local jeweler and they do a good job on both aluminum and brass whistles.

DC
SlipJig Celtic Band

Whistling Willie · Post by **Whistling Willie** » Tue Jun 14, 2005 5:41 pm

Thank's for all the suggestions

RonKiley · Post by **RonKiley** » Tue Jun 14, 2005 6:01 pm

Why polish it?

I just rinse mine with soap and water and dry them out.

Ron

WhistlinBob · Post by **WhistlinBob** » Wed Jun 15, 2005 11:14 am

a synthetic chamois cloth and mothers is great also I use a
lead/copper removal cloth I picked up at the local gunsmith
shop it works on all unfinished metals for a super fine polish