polishing an aluminum air cleaner lid

[Larry Seaney]

I just got my new baldor buffer and buffing supplies and would like tips on polishing a couple aluminum corvette air cleaner lids I have. How brightly should I polish them. Right now they are a dull gray color. What is the correct sheen for them?
If it makes a difference. I believe one is from a 61 single four barrel (it has a removeable top),and the other is for a 61 dual four barrel set up,(it too has a removeable top).
Thanks

[Geoff C.]

Re: polishing an aluminum air cleaner lid

Be careful if you have never buffed thin Aluminum. Get it too hot and you can make it run so to speak.

Geoffrey Coenen

[Larry S.]

Re: polishing an aluminum air cleaner lid

My best advice to a new baldor buffer user is HOLD ON TIGHT.I dont know your hourse power or buff sizes.But the one I have you cant stall it,and once you get past the saftey zone on the wheel (you will understand soon enough)what ever you thought you had in you hands buffing will be wripped out of your hands and thrown clear acoss the room Good luck and be safe,Actually some good advice I was given and will pass on is get some key tags and when you install a new buff on your buffer take a magic marker and mark on the key tag what type of material you are using on the buff pad and hang it on that side of your buffer,then when your done with the buff attach the key tag telling you what material you used on it to the buff for a latter use. you can always use a more agressive cleaner on a buff pad but you can never go finer with the same buff pad.

Good luck,Be safe,have fun but be fore warned its very adictive youll be buffing every thing on your car.

Its a real art form on how to use a buffer properley I have been using one since about oct of 04 and do knot have enought quailifications to give you anybetter advice,My mentor frequent this forum and hopefully he will give you some advice

[Tracy C.]

Re: polishing an aluminum air cleaner lid

Larry,

I can't speak for the correct shean on your lid, but be sure to wear leather gloves while you buff. As mentioned in previous posts, things can get "out of hand" in a split second. I'd also suggest finding something to practice on before you attempt to buff your prized possesions.

good luck,
tc

[Roy B.]

Re: polishing an aluminum air cleaner lid

The top has a Satan look not a high polish chrome look.

[Bill W.]

Re: polishing an aluminum air cleaner lid

Unless you have a very wide very soft pad I think your Boldor is to the wrong choice for your air cleaner lid.I made a wooden form that fit inside my air cleaner for support and buffed it with a car buffer. not much heat and no warping.After you get it polished you need to dull it down a little. make sure nothing good is behind your buffer ,,you will launch stuff from time to time....Bill

[Gordon Peterson #4961]

Re: polishing an aluminum air cleaner lid

Here's a couple of things I've learned. I've been buffing Corvette parts for 30 years. Wear a full face shield and a dust mask! On larger parts, wear an apron. I don't normally wear gloves when I buff because I can get a better grip on the part. But I burn my fingers constantly Let the compound do the work - be patient, do not try to rush things!

Small parts can be a real challenge. They are going to fly every now and then - it's the nature of the beast. When it goes, freeze, and listen very carefully. This is your one chance to hear where it lands and will give you a clue where to start your search. My setup is in the cellar where there are a lot of places for small parts to hide. It's amazing where they get to.

You can also minimize their flight. I have a large carpet tile that I set against the wall behind the wheel when I'm buffing small parts. More often than not, when they go, they end up sitting at the base of that carpet tile.

Buffing is a lot of fun. Enjoy yourself.

Pete

[Larry S.]

Re: polishing an aluminum air cleaner lid

I forgot to add,Last year at corvettes of carlilse the tool guy was selling these foam rubber mats about 1" thick and about 3'x6' I take one of those and drape it over a saw horse behind my buffer when I am working with smaller peices to avoid danaging them.

As for gloves try a set of tight fitting mecanics gloves to protect your hands from heat,and cuts. Last week I was doing the small bottom trim peices from the glove box on my 62,well the buffer got hold of it and tore it out of my hands.How it did not cut me I still dont know. I also just recently started to keep peices if 2x4's 1x3's and try and hold the peices to the wood and then buff them.

[Larry Seaney]

Thanks for accelerating my learning curve! *NM*

[John M.]

Re: Thanks for accelerating my learning curve!

Larry,
If you are buffing out the lid and are planning on having the car judged, the original finish shows small scratches that run in only one direction. The air cleaners must have been buffed on a machine that let the buffing wheel only run in one direction. I would guess that a sisal wheel with emery compound would yeild the correct finish. If not judging, then just polish to a mirror finish with Tripoli compund and a spiral-sewn buff!

Regards, John McGraw