slngsht Posted October 11, 2006 Share Posted October 11, 2006 For those of you who have it, do you have any problem with oxidation? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Rohaley Posted October 11, 2006 Share Posted October 11, 2006 Every winter I pull the fiberglass and windshield off and give the aluminum a once over with an orbital. I invest about two to three hours into the actual polishing and get a mirror finish in the end. The aluminum lasts the whole driving season without a noticable amount of oxidation showing. The key is in the polishing products used. I found a company that sells a product used by the aircraft industry (for large square footage polishing). Go to www.topoftheline.com, from there click on "Pro's Choice", then click on "Aluminum/Metal Polishing. The products I use are the Aluminum/Fiberglass polish ($20.00) and finish with the Aluminum/ Plastic Polish ($75.00). Using an orbital with a foam pad I polish the car down and rinse with soapy water between polishes. Do not forget to use a seperate foam pad for each polish. I originally put the product on dry but removal of the residue took a ton of time which is why I use some water, it makes the job so much easier. I could not recommend these products with any higher praise, I have tried the locally available polishes and they are simply not in the same ballpark as these. If you would like to see the finish on my car you can check out some pictures from our club website. Go to www.calotus.com, click on "Photos". You will see photos of our car in the Wine tour section. These photos were taken last weekend and the shine is still nearly flawless. The car was polished in April and has only had regular cleanings (no polishing) since. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Rohaley Posted October 11, 2006 Share Posted October 11, 2006 Sorry, I suppose I never actually ever did answer your question. The answer is that I do not have a major problem with oxidation. With proper care bare aluminum is less labor intensive than painted aluminum (no chips to fill). You just need to maintain it annually to keep it nice, and use the right stuff on it. The guys on some other boards (unnamed) really dislike bare cars because they say they are so hard to maintain. That is only true if you try to polish the whole car with wadding polish sourced from Autozone or something similar. If you got it...flaunt it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnCh Posted October 11, 2006 Share Posted October 11, 2006 Mike, talk about a mirror-like finish! Do you use these polishes on your fiberglass bits as well? If so, do you have the same enthusiasm for them on this material, or is it overkill? Thanks, John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
locostv8 Posted October 11, 2006 Share Posted October 11, 2006 Once it is polished you might look at Zoop seal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slngsht Posted October 11, 2006 Author Share Posted October 11, 2006 Thanks for all the input. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Rohaley Posted October 11, 2006 Share Posted October 11, 2006 I looked into the Zoop product a few years ago, it is not cost effective for the square footage we are dealing with. It is aimed more at the motorcycle crowd and only covers a relitively small area. You would need to buy quite a few kits to cover a Seven. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Rohaley Posted October 11, 2006 Share Posted October 11, 2006 John, No, nothing special beyond regular waxing on the fiberglass. It was replaced over the winter due to a kid on a motorcycle crashing into my parked car at the track (blood starting to boil again). Since they could not color match to my bodywork (gelcoated) the insurance company agreed to put on all new fiberglass so that it would match. Give it a couple years of regular use and those panels will not look nearly like they do now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnCh Posted October 12, 2006 Share Posted October 12, 2006 Thanks Mike. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew7 Posted October 12, 2006 Share Posted October 12, 2006 Hi mike, The car is beautiful, mine is yellow/polished alum also. I was going to post a similiar questian, I've polished mine with an Eastwood aluminum kit and no matter what I do the best my aluminum looks, it is like a smokey mirror. It has swirls and looks foggy even with white tripoli compound and loose cotton pad. I can see myself but not the clairity of yours. I am frustraded because I've seen no improvment in the metal and from what I've read it should polish out more but doesn't. Do you think the products you use will help my situation? Am I missing something? I've gone from flat satin to foggy mirror but no futher. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew7 Posted October 12, 2006 Share Posted October 12, 2006 I was trying to figure how to post a pic. The pictures can be seen at Yahoo Locost_North_America in photos first page under Andrew7. There always seems to be something left to do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slngsht Posted October 12, 2006 Author Share Posted October 12, 2006 if your pictures are already online, all you have to do is click on http://www.usa7s.com/forum/skin_purple/images/post_button_image.gif when you post.slngsht2006-10-12 18:37:28 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew7 Posted October 12, 2006 Share Posted October 12, 2006 thanks slngsht, I used the quick reply at the bottom instead of the reply tab, I'm ok now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Rohaley Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 Andrew7, I had the same problems that you are experiencing now, swirls and clarity issues that no amount of polishing seemed to fix. Having seen some vintage aircraft with perfectly polished metalwork I set off to find what it is they use. I tracked down the company listed in my above post and ordering the correct products, purchased a 7" angle polisher (from Harbor Freight for $30.00) and a few velcro backed foam pads (also from Harbor freight, about $6.00 each). Using these products while keeping the work surface damp produces the results that you are looking for. All aluminum has graining in it that disappears the more you polish it. If the graining is deep you may want to use the angle polisher and foam pad with a generic polishing compound from Autozone (or similar store). The grittier consistency of the polishing compound will level the surface off much quicker than the finer products. Remember not use the same foam pad for any other compound, rinsing will not work. I keep each one in a large Zip-Lock bag and mark it with the compound used. The first time you go through this process will take you longer than subsequent sessions. Just rmember to keep everything damp and wash the car between compounds. The final product is well worth the effort. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Rohaley Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 Andrew7, I forgot to mention that the cotton mitt method does not work well compared to the foam, even with the correct compounds. I tried that originally when I got the compounds and was disappointed in the results. The foam is the key. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xflow7 Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 Hi Mike, Great tips you're sharing about polishing strategy. One question. What do you use for an applicator around the bonnet louvers? I currently polish everything by hand as I don't have an orbital (yet), but I've always wondered if I'd end up having to do a good bit of the bonnet by hand anyway to get the louvers to look right. Thanks, Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Rohaley Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 Dave, The louvers do not require any special hand polishing. What I do is hold the polisher at a 80 to 90 degree angle and lightly let the foam conform to the shape of the bodywork. I slow the rotation speed down as much as possible during this step. The foam is thick enough that at a mid-range speed you can finish polish over the louvers at a normal 15 degree angle to smooth out any swirls. In the end it looks just like the rest of the panel. The same delicate work applies to the openings for the front suspension and steering rods. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew7 Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 Thanks Mike, That is the info that I have been looking for. My winter to do list includes final polishing, covering dash and making a glove box and fitting a convertible top for "just in case" days and "what if the 777Rally is a washout." http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/20061013_081504_L7rgtsid.JPG http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/20061013_082119_L7rear.JPGandrew72006-10-13 08:25:22 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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