Polishing Aluminium- It's your fault!

saulus":2g55js2v said:

Bullpup":2g55js2v said:

What do you use to keep the shine - Wax if so which one please?

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I've gone for bare naked ally - No lacquer as it always ends up getting stuff under it and eventually looking looking naff so why bother IMO. I just give it a quick buffing with polish when it gets a little jaded looking..30 mins and it looks mint again and I stop sweatin' .

I have heard that 'Peek' is a better alternative to Autosol..I may get some.

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I need to try Autosol and/or Peek, as I have a P7 that will need refurbishing and that's nickel plated steel. The Mothers is only for Aluminium. The instructions state that if you don't see any black residue when applying the stuff, stop because it's not aluminium.
Has anyone done tests on the effectiveness of Peek Vs Autosol on steel and Peek vs Autosol vs Mothers on aluminium. It would be interesting to see what the difference is, but I don't fancy having to polish 5 frames to get the result!!!!!! :roll: :roll: :roll:

Any ideas why you can only use the Mothers on aluminium?

feetabix":bqk4cv0b said:

........with blisters and horribly blackened hands I may add!........

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Sturgeons gloves

Rampage":3t0nj9rd said:

Any ideas why you can only use the Mothers on aluminium?

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Ahh, re-read the destructions again and it suggests that it can be used on metals other than Alu, but you need to test the metal to see.

Directions:
1. Apply a small amount of polish to a terry cloth towel.
2. Rub polish onto metal surface until black residue appears.
3. Buff off residue with a clean terry cloth or microfibre towel prior to polish drying.
4. Hard rubbing is not necessary. Use sparingly.
Note: If black residue does not appear. STOP, it is not a polishable metal.

dyna-ti":25r8cg1i said:

feetabix":25r8cg1i said:

........with blisters and horribly blackened hands I may add!........

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Sturgeons gloves

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Fishy...

Front derailleurs, rear derailleurs, hubs, shifters, handlebars, seatposts, seat clamps, canti brakes, v-brakes, brake levers, rims, crank arms - there's hardly a bike component I haven't polished up. Usually it is to refurbish a component with scratched or chipped paint, or tired anodising. I've always used Brasso or Silvo to finish off. So easily obtainable and they work a treat. Tried aerosol lacquer but have never been satisfied with the results so I stick with raw aluminium. An occasional re-polish keeps the components looking good. A spray with WD 40 helps keep salt corrosion at bay in winter.

I am currently a Mothers fan, i have sent a pot to a fussy polishing friend and he thinks it is excellent too. I think it is 'finer' than Autosol and for rough jobs, I use Autosol first and then the Mothers.

Another good polish is Vitalsol which falls between Autosol and Mothers.

Here is a link to a polish discussion in my normal place -

viewtopic.php?f=12&t=263907

Richard