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Thread: ENG: DIY polishing small parts with a dremel

  1. #1
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    ENG: DIY polishing small parts with a dremel

    don't expect to be good at polishing your first few times, you have to get a feel for it and train your eyes to see imperfections.
    things you'll need:
    dremel tool
    sand paper (320g, 400, 600, 1000)...........you'll want a dust mask and latex gloves
    metal polish
    scissors & tape
    cotton cloth
    drill & buffing wheels

    this is to show you how to give tiny and complex pieces a detailed polishing. you could use the dremel to polish big things, but it isn't very practical. in my opinion, it is good for detailed work that can't be done with an electric sander.
    another thread on polishing
    in the pic below, you have the basic tools that come with a dremel, 2 barrel sanders and the felt polishing bit.....the other is a small metal rod that i made to fit the dremel (this piece is important for the fine details).
    note: the sanding drums that come with the dremel are to course to polish with

    this is what the part looks like to start.

    first, take a piece of 320g sand paper and cut it about this big (see below).

    roll it on in a directional way (like in the pic) so it won't fly off the first time you touch it to the metal.

    then secure it with tape. wrapping it to in a directional way.

    on with the sanding. don't let the dremel sit still while sanding, keep it moving you can deform the metal or eat pits into it.
    use the slowest speed it's fast enough
    use the dremel just like you would a pencil in art class shading in a shadow....in a back and fourth even motion.
    here is what it looks like after all pits are sanded out with 320g (note: the end is not sanded because it will be covered by a hose.)

    to put sand paper on the rod, put a little piece of tape to hold it steady, then wrap it on and tape it down.

    later.
    Last edited by TypeG; 05-26-2006 at 12:56 AM.



  2. #2
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    Re: ENG: DIY polishing small parts with a dremel

    now sand with the 400, this is what it will look liike after

    don't forget to use the different size drums with each step.
    now 600...and what it should look like

    and finally the 1000g (the more time you spend on this step the better)

    on to buffing with metal polish (lots of buffing time is the key)

    i use every buffing wheel i have for any advantages one may have over another

    tape a piece of cotton cloth to the little rod and use it to buff in areas the wheels couldn't reach


    later.

  3. #3
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    Re: ENG: DIY polishing small parts with a dremel

    after buffing this piece six ways to sunday, this is what i got:




    different piece



    a starter i did using the dremel method and an orbital sander (below)

    the power steering pump


    later.
    Last edited by TypeG; 05-25-2006 at 06:54 PM.

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    Re: ENG: DIY polishing small parts with a dremel

    thats cool i will def have to start doing this no that im getting my polished valve cover, that and i have my water outlet done alredy as well

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    Re: ENG: DIY polishing small parts with a dremel

    wow!

    Nice work!

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    Re: ENG: DIY polishing small parts with a dremel

    nice work, i think i might try and start polishing some of my parts too
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    Re: ENG: DIY polishing small parts with a dremel

    someone sure does have a lot of patience, they look absolutely spotless! great job


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    Re: ENG: DIY polishing small parts with a dremel

    lots of hard work probally. how long did it take?

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    Re: ENG: DIY polishing small parts with a dremel

    WOW that is amazing!! I'm definitely trying that one dude... You rock

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    Re: ENG: DIY polishing small parts with a dremel

    ya know type-g i saw you on CB& tuner and saw your tutorials... i appreicate what you ae doing .. but what led you to 3geez?
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    Re: ENG: DIY polishing small parts with a dremel

    does it matter i think i may try that later anyway very sexy.
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    Re: ENG: DIY polishing small parts with a dremel

    excellent work and good write up!!
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    Re: ENG: DIY polishing small parts with a dremel

    do you have any suggestions on how to keep the metal looking like that? could a gloss coat of clear help? or do you just need to keep putting in elbow grease?

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    Re: ENG: DIY polishing small parts with a dremel

    That looks excellent! I'll have to remember that.
    BTW your car is impressive.

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    Re: ENG: DIY polishing small parts with a dremel

    Quote Originally Posted by reanimator420
    lots of hard work probally. how long did it take?
    a few hours per piece. you will get a little dirty.
    Quote Originally Posted by Sporno
    ya know type-g i saw you on CB& tuner and saw your tutorials... i appreicate what you ae doing .. but what led you to 3geez?
    i just like hondas.
    Quote Originally Posted by bobafett
    do you have any suggestions on how to keep the metal looking like that? could a gloss coat of clear help? or do you just need to keep putting in elbow grease?
    just polish it with metal polish once in a while.
    if you could get clear coat to stick, it would probably turn a yellowish-brown, but a clear powder coat may not be a bad idea.
    thanks guys. later.

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    Re: ENG: DIY polishing small parts with a dremel

    Quote Originally Posted by bobafett
    do you have any suggestions on how to keep the metal looking like that? could a gloss coat of clear help? or do you just need to keep putting in elbow grease?
    there is a product called Zoop seal,better automotive companies like the eastwood company carry it. I believe you seal eithier every six months or once a year,can't remember. it's not a polish,the part has to be polished first,but it protects polished surfaces. a lot of guys who have bikes use it. be warned it's not cheap at all. for that amount of work though,it's worth the money.

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    Re: ENG: DIY polishing small parts with a dremel


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    Re: ENG: DIY polishing small parts with a dremel

    Wow, That's amazing... Thank you for the very informative write-up on this I think this should get a sticky! They look great.... I have lots of time to do that right now too! Thanx again!

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    Re: ENG: DIY polishing small parts with a dremel

    Damn, that's nice, but a lot of hard work.

    I don't think I would have the patience to do that myself.

    Peace.

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    Re: ENG: DIY polishing small parts with a dremel

    i've been slowly getting these wheels polished out in the same manner with a rotorly tool. i just havent gotten around to finishing them all up since they were so deteriorated from oxidation. lots of pitting and a lot of surface to make mirror finish. i think it'll be well worth the work when they are done. nice job on the engine parts. they look really nice and well done.


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    Re: ENG: DIY polishing small parts with a dremel

    I have some time on my hands here... If I undertake this for some of my parts how long will the shine last??? I'm looking at least 6-10 months of shine....

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    Re: ENG: DIY polishing small parts with a dremel

    the shine would take a long time to dull. it would never go back to the way it was cause you are sanding all the casting texture off. it would just haze up over time. just keep salt water and harsh chemicals away from it. polishing it once every six months should be fine, i just like to do mine more often. later.

  23. #23
    LXi User Gemini2003's Avatar
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    Re: ENG: DIY polishing small parts with a dremel

    Thanks :-) That's good to know :-)

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    Re: ENG: DIY polishing small parts with a dremel

    fucking sweet maN!

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