metal polish

[Shadow Catcher]

Polishing is a process of progressively finer abrasion. I will use an extreme example. When I got the bulldog hitch lock that is a sand cast aluminum I wanted to polish it up. I first used progressively finer sanding disks in my 7" variable speed sander/polisher and ended up using a buffing wheel with polishing compound. The result



You can take even this beyond what that polishing compound with progressively finer polishing compound to a mirror finish. I would start trying a polishing compound and if that will not do the job a VERY fine sand paper then polishing compound. One thing to remember this removes some surface finish!

[Shadow Catcher]

That should work if it is not severe.

[wagondude]

If your are working in the thin nickel plating on your lantern, just use a soft cloth. Any kind of power buffing might burn through the plating very quickly. Of you find that doing it by hand does not get the results you are after, then carefully go to the power tools. Most likely you will get what you are after by hand.

[Zollinger]

Wagondude is right. If using power tools to polish be VERY careful! It's real easy to polish too much and ruin the finish. I have used CLR in the past to take the first layer of crud off the fount and then hand polished with chrome polish.

[absolutsnwbrdr]

I'll "third" what wagondude said!

I would stay away from powertools on the old nickle plated lanterns. I like Blue Magic Metal Polish Cream on the nickle parts...



I use an old 100% cotton t-shirt to rub the compound on, and then buff off.


Vinegar and #0000 steel wool work great on the rusted steel parts.

[rainjer]

Mother's Mag and Wheel polish is what I use. You can get it at most auto parts stores and Walmart. Like every one else said, no power tools. I either use it with a soft rag or 0000 steel wool.

http://www.mothers.com/02_products/05100-05101.html


Jeremy

[absolutsnwbrdr]

hey zach, where do you get your type of polishing cream.

I will try walmart for the mothers stuff when I am back in town sometime.

slow

Picked it up at an auto parts store. Mothers polish is really nice as well. Also available at autoparts store.

[asianflava]

I like this stuff:

http://www.nevrdull.com

You can get most polishes at an auto parts store or the automotive section at Wal-Mart.

[KCStudly]

Mothers mag is a bit coarser than neverdull. I've had good luck on aluminum parts using Mothers first, then finishing with neverdull.

[TRP]

I've had good luck on aluminum parts using Mothers first, then finishing with neverdull.

I have had the same luck using the same combo.

Ted