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Aluminum Polishing Question

I have a question regarding polishing of Forged Alloy Wheels for my Porsche. I stripped the Anodizing off (Very Carefully) And Sanded them with 600 Grit, Then 1000 Grit, Then 1500. After that, I Use a Sisal Wheel and Rouge, Then on to a "Normal" Rouge. The finish has a high luster but it seems that I am just not getting the super high luster that I want. When I am finished I have very tiny scratches in the surface, They will not come out with Mothers Mag & Aluminum Polish, and every other compound that I have made it worse (even by hand) I need a good "In Between" Solution. The wheels look Great from 10Ft away but I know that they are not perfect... Any Ideas?

Glen Abel
- West Falls, New York
 

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Your problem is the Sisal. Sisal used with buffing wheels is primarily intended for cutting action, not polishing. The fibers in the wheel are to coarse. Sisal is generally used with emery to begin the process of cutting on Steel, Stainless, etc. You should use a spiral sewn wheel with a compound made for polishing (typically a white rouge [affil links] ) then follow with a Canton flannel wheel with a finer grade of rouge. Just remember, once you have removed the clearcoat and gotten the finish you desire, you will have to polish on a regular basis or recoat with some type of clear. Hope this helps.

Bill Miller
- Shinnston, West Virginia, USA