polishing engine covers?

[bigred304]

hey guys, just wondering if anyone has polished a set of engine covers (fuel railan throttle body cover) on the holden 5L ? I was thinking of doing it myself ... but dont know how difficult it may be, or how decent it will look at the end. Any advice would be appreciated. Cheers

[bigred304]

oh and also ... do they go dull after a short time due to heat an the like? being bare metal i have some doubts. cheers

[STEALTHY™]

I did mine myself, and after time they built up a powder looking thing on them. I'd say they'd be high maintainence.

It wouldn't be that expensive to get a pro to do it, PM RVN355, he had his done (he lives in SA, but it'll give you a decent comparisen as to if your getting ripped or not)

[Jecs]

i had a go myself on a rocker cover. got over it, took rocker covers, and engine covers to a back yarder guy he polished them all for $150 (5 pieces) over a period of time it does dull but theres products you wipe on, wipe off and it comes up like new again.

if you get them chromed, they stay mirror clean all the time but its a bit more expensive but better mirror reflections.

mine:

[bigred304]

nice, i like the look of yours. I gave it a go today, thought if worst comes to worst i can always paint em. But idealy i would like that chrome effect. Here is what i ended up with ... (pics below) Far from mirror, i have tried 4 different polishes, electric buffer an bench top grinder/buffer ... an had no luck. Does anyone have any suggestions on how i might be able to get the effect im after? Or is it somethin im ganna have to leave to the pro's ... Cheers

[bigred304]

try again. the pic didnt work last time

[Jecs]

did you use the clay? for the amount of time you waste on it you might aswell just leave it to the pro's

[bigred304]

Clay ... nah i didnt use any. If your refering to the red writing then all i did was paint over the in-print with a brush, then wiped away the top surface which got rid of all the excess an just left the shallow parts red. Ill try an ring around today an see what itll cost me. Cheers bud

[Jecs]

did a bit of research and found this

aluminum polishing guide | Poleringsguide

enjoy

[bigred304]

did a bit of research and found this

aluminum polishing guide | Poleringsguide

enjoy

Ahh very nice find. Thanks dude, that helps. Ill try a few of those things out. Ill let ya know how i go

[bigred304]

after lookin at that site, an speakin to a few people over the phone in the 'know how' ... i have come up with this. A much greater improvement from yesterday, an it sure beats the $80 - $120 per piece quote i was given today. Yeh it took time ... but the few hours i spent isnt worth $360 i dont think haha. I gotta get a new buffer as the one i was usin the old man has had for about 15 years, so i may get a lil bit more of an improvment once thats on. Thanks again for your help fellas

[bigred304]

I put it all back together an this is what it came out like. Im pretty happy with the result, and pleased i saved myself the cost of gettin some other .... to do it for me. Im still undecided on polishing/painting the rockers at this stage ?!?!?!

Thanks to all for the advice