What'd you guys do to polish out your tail gate band?

[68Timber]

I started out sanding with 600 grit wet sanding. It helped some, but it was really very slow going. So I tried Brillo pads, not much better. I worked on it over an hour. It does look better. But there's got to be a better way.

Thanks.

[Jonboy]

Try some Meguires hott wheels aluminum polish. It doesn't take a lot of work, and produces some pretty decent results. I found it at O'reillys. I bought it for some wheels, but I ended up polishing parts of an intake, and some of my A/C components also.

[68Timber]

That's what I started out with. That Meguire's Hot Rims stuff really works well, at least it always has before. I was using it with a buffing wheel in my die grinder. It just wasn't delivering so we started wet sanding and later got out the brillo pads. It all helped but none were the magic bullet.

Maybe I need to up the speed on the die grinder? I had it set low so it wouldn't burn.

[Jonboy]

Since you have already hit it with 600, you might be SOL, if you are looking for a high polish look. You may need to use regular rubbing compound first, just to get some of the shine back. If you are going for a brushed look, try sanding in one direction, not in a circular motion.

[VA72C10]

If you want to bring it back to a shine you'll have to do 1000 and then 2000 and then buff since you scuffed it with 600. Check out the last two pages of my finishing touches blazer build....there's pics at 600 grit, 1000, and 2000 on an aluminum bezel to give you an idea.

[68Timber]

I have 600, 800, 1000, and 1500 grit paper and was prepared to go that route all the way after the Meguire's didn't deliver.

We never sanded up and down, it was all done with the grain and did no damage at all to the band.

This is a totally serviceable tailgate band and good for a driver. But it has some milky spots on it that I'm trying to get rid of. It looks much better than it did but if I'm going to get it where I want it, it'll take several hours with any or all of the methods I've tried.

I may need to step down to some 320 grit unless someone knows a better way.

I do appreciate the feedback.

[VA72C10]

I had to start at 400 to get the machine marks out of my particular piece....maybe do the 320 to get the marks out of it and work your way up like you said. it's a lot of work but satisfying in the end when the part looks like new for just a little time and effort

[68Timber]

Originally Posted by VA72C10

I had to start at 400 to get the machine marks out of my particular piece....maybe do the 320 to get the marks out of it and work your way up like you said. it's a lot of work but satisfying in the end when the part looks like new for just a little time and effort

Were you wet-sanding with the 400 grit?

[68Timber]

Here's what I started out with -



I installed a new tail-gate handle and window crank w/a new lock cylinder keyed to the doors. It's all tight and working well. I just want to get the band looking good while I'm in the tail-gate.

Again, I do appreciate all the help!

[VA72C10]

I did the 400 dry....then wet sanded everything else actually using a watery aluminum polish instead of water (truck tool box polish I got cheap at Lowes). Finished up with a soft buff on my dremel with the polish to get the 2000 grit fine scratches out.....could probably use the meguire's stuff on your magic bullet for the final....

[68Timber]

Thank you, sir. I'll hit it up tomorrow with some 400 dry and work up from there wet sanding it, then save the Meguire's for the final polish.

[68Timber]

I saw the shifter boot ring you polished out, literally a mirror finish. I'm going to buy some of the tool box polish at lowes and try your method.

EDIT: Holy smoke - that's a beautiful Blazer!

[VA72C10]

Originally Posted by BRUISER

I saw the shifter boot ring you polished out, literally a mirror finish. I'm going to buy some of the tool box polish at lowes and try your method.

EDIT: Holy smoke - that's a beautiful Blazer!

Thanks man! That tailgate band will look sweet all polished up....your blazer is pretty awesome as well!!!!

[jdurant]

I would hit it quick with the 400, then 800, and 1200. The quickest, best way from here will be with polishing wheels and rouges. They sell them at lowes. Get a couple of rouges from medium to extra fine. You'll need one buff for each rouge. You have to cut the metal to make it smooth for it to really shine. Putting polishes and stuff won't help that much if the metal has a grain.
I know that sounds like alot, but it's not that bad. Let the buffing wheels do the work. It would probably take me about 2 hours to make it look like a mirror.

[68Timber]

Hey, Joseph. I don't want a mirror finish, I think it would be hard on drivers behind me at night. This truck is a cruise-in special and drive it for fun vehicle. But some of that will be at night and I don't want to take it to a mirror finish. I did think about doing that but decided not to.

It looks pretty good but does have some milky spots. If I can get rid of those, make it shiny, but keep the horizontal finish I'll be good.

I have some storm damage to my house, so taking care of that has kept me from finishing this out. I'll wet-sand it tomorrow starting with 400 grit and work my way up. And probably finish out with a polish with the Mecguire's Hot Rims.

I'll post up some after pics then.

[68Timber]

Originally Posted by VA72C10

I did the 400 dry....then wet sanded everything else actually using a watery aluminum polish instead of water (truck tool box polish I got cheap at Lowes). Finished up with a soft buff on my dremel with the polish to get the 2000 grit fine scratches out.....could probably use the meguire's stuff on your magic bullet for the final....

I got some of that polish at lowes today and started with that. Then wet sanded with 400, 600, 800, 1000, and finished up with 1500. Then got out the die grinder with a polishing wheel and went over it with the Meguires Hot Rims. That was the ticket. It has a few scratches in it, so I'll have to get something else when it's painted. But it's better than fine for now.

Thanks for the help. I'll post a pic tomorrow.

[VA72C10]

Originally Posted by BRUISER

I got some of that polish at lowes today and started with that. Then wet sanded with 400, 600, 800, 1000, and finished up with 1500. Then got out the die grinder with a polishing wheel and went over it with the Meguires Hot Rims. That was the ticket. It has a few scratches in it, so I'll have to get something else when it's painted. But it's better than fine for now.

Thanks for the help. I'll post a pic tomorrow.

cool...looking forward to the pics...

[68Timber]

Late update and pics taken at dusk, sorry.

It's good to go until paint time, and I don't know when I'll get there. Meantime I'm happy. Thanks for the help.

[78 Chevyrado]

I just wiped a thin coat of WD-40 on mine. Looked brand new. You just have to do it every so often, like tire wetlook stuff or something.

[VA72C10]

looks good!

[68Timber]

Originally Posted by VA72C10

looks good!

Thank you sir, and thanks for the tip. That metal polish really did the trick.