checker plate - reshine

[paulb]

I'm installing old fashion rock sliders and have a checker plate sill replacements that go with them. The pieces are a bit old and dull.

I have tried Mothers brand and a generic brand aluminum shine paste to bring the aluminum back to a shine or gloss finish.
Neither has worked. Any recommendations ?
If not I may just paint the things black or Con green to blend in.
(Course I'll scratch these up ASAP so ... why do I bother)

[wicks]

Flitz or Simichrome. But with the kind of bas relief it needs a soft brush wheel or something to really get it shiny.

[mhansen]

I would buff them out with a wheel and then clear-coat them. The clear-coat will keep the aluminum from oxidizing. Try the Eastwood Co. they have all the coatings and buffing stuff, and they are really good to deal with.

http://www.eastwood.com

Cheers

Mike

[paulb]

tx

[aschoent]

Hey Paul,

I think you bought those sill plates from Craig. I saw them at his place before you bought them. I have a shop in TO, and will be out there on Sat. prepping a car for a race the following weekend. If you stop by with the sills, I will put the buffing wheel on them for a minute to bring them back up to a shine. I usually use Mothers polishing compound on aluminum after initial polish to maintain the shine. I agree with the clear coat finish, and have even gone so far to clear powder coat polished metals, but that was on magnesium which goes dull even faster than aluminum.
PS, this is my personal shop, and am not looking to get paid for work.
818 560 0534