eagle siding

[cody]

Rather than hijack the stainless thread, I'll start my own, it polishing the aluminum sides on my eagle done the same way as the stainless on MCI's?  Or is it a different compound to use or technique.

[blue_goose]

You can't polish the siding on your Eagle.  The siding on your Eagle is anodised you would have to cut through the anodise before you got to the base. 
Jack

[compedgemarine]

actually you can polish it but yes you do need to remove the anodizing first. there are several products made for that but I read some where that oven cleaner will remove it. havent tried it yet but plan to as I am going to polish the sides of my eagle also. the worst is that after it is polished you need to put something on it to keep it shinny. I am thinking of clearing mine as they make a clear specifically for polished aluminum.
steve

[Dreamscape]

I thought about doing the same thing, but decided against it. First thing, the anodizing is there to protect the aluminum, you remove it and the protection is gone. Second, it sure sounds like a lot of work just to create more work. I know its pretty to see the shiny aluminum, but I for one would rather not have to work so hard just to make old aluminum look like new old aluminum. Ours has some areas that have taken a lot of road abuse with deep scrathes in a few places. When I win the lotto I'll just replace it with new shiny aluminum already to go, but then there is a lot of work to do that too. If I ever reach the point where everything is finished and have nothing to do, I'll consider it. By that time I'll be too old to drive it anyway!

If you do want shiny, go for it. I know I will have to wear some serious shades when I see your Eagle on down the road. Good Luck Cody and be safe.

Paul

[Kristinsgrandpa]

   The people that make POR 15 and Eastwood Co. both advertise a clearcoat that will adhere to polished aluminum, polished brass, polished SS, chrome etc. Google for them. I buy from both at times. Neither is cheap.
I bought the clearcoat, from POR 15, for my Alcoas after I polished them.

 The Alcoas were difficult to paint. The touchup gun being small helped, but a lot of overspray fog accumulated and made it hard to see the clearcoat flow,(an overhead fan might help) being clear didn't help either. I got several runs/sags.  It comes with a hardener so shelf life is minimal, which further complicates things.

One note: read the instructions and note that aluminum starts to corrode within 15 mins after you quit polishing.

Ed

[Sojourner]

Here a link to show sample and you can buy anywhere as you wish:
http://www.eastwoodco.com/jump.jsp?itemID=435&itemType=CATEGORY&iMainCat=433&iSubCat=435
For very corrode area....need to sand it down or replace it.

For rough & scratch but not pitted (you may not need it).... Buffing Compound-Tripoli = brown

For very dull & very tiny scratches....... White Rouge

For the final shine...... Jewelers Rouge=dull red

Look for wheels & adapter to mount on polishing motor (right angle type) to get in the grooves.
Example of wheels is click in "Select a Subcategory" and check "buff".

Ebay has compounds: http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?from=R40&_trksid=m37&satitle=Buffing+Compound

Caution....on any sharp aluminum edges will be de-sharpened somewhat...depends how you run your wheeling...with the groove or cross.

It is fast & much easier to polish aluminum than SS.  About 30 to 1.

So for the first time...do it on sample area.
Apply it on running wheel till coated from the end of bar and then wheel the metal until it is not working to re-apply compound.

You will learn it can wear down aluminum fast so be careful.

After using white bar to bring out clean shine but not mirror shine yet, then use the jeweler bar on same wheel after it has been spun clean with side of steel bar or worn file.

DA....DA!  You have a mirror in front of your face.

Like the previous posted...you need to clear coat immediately or it will turn to dull mirror appearance.

One of many dream jobs at General Motors Tech Center where I worked and retired from.

FWIW

Sojourn for Christ, Jerry

This is good one from another post:
http://www.caswellplating.com/buffs/index.html#
Click on "Pick-A-Buff Helper" for wheel type.